A/N: Are you surprised to have another update so quickly? I am! Dude, I've been flowing and it might have something to do with Samcedes being canon again. Just a tad. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

So, a lot happens in this chapter. There's a slight time jump, some feels and some surprises. Enjoy, follow, review and if you're on tumblr, like and reblog.

Also, I'd like to give a special shout out to my International readers. This story obviously contains American slang/idioms that you may or may not understand but you guys still stick with the story and that's awesome! Thanks!

"Aw fuck!"

Sam gasped, head nearly falling off the pillow while his large hands immediately gripped Mercedes' voluptuous hips, fingers digging into the supple skin as he desperately tried to control their movement.

Mercedes laughed cruelly, placing her palms against his sweat-streaked chest as she leaned over him slightly to gain leverage.

Her voice was raspy as she asked,"Starting to rethink this, baby?"

The question was accompanied by a handful of pointed hops and bounces, the rhythmic slapping of skin against skin filling the room.

"Shitttttt, are you kiddin'? This was the best i-" His voice cut off with a snarl followed by a hard blink and a loud hiss. "Dea ever."

His own hips lifted from the bed, jerking erratically to meet the eager bucking of hers.

The force from his thrusts caused Mercedes' head to loll back and Sam could no longer see past her elevated chin.

"Look at me."

Gradually lowering her head, her face was revealed to him in sections. The first thing he saw was her kiss-swollen lips, the texture roughened from his excessive attention. Then her cheeks, damp from beads of sepia-tinted sweat that had mixed with her bb cream was followed immediately by her button nose, whose nostrils were flaring from the pleasure her body was receiving.

Finally, the part he had most been looking forward to, the incredibly expressive doe eyes that had brought him to his knees hundreds of times, including right now, were finally revealed in all their beauty.

A few strands of her hair blocked his view but one of his hands quickly brushed them aside. He sat up so he would be eye level with her.

"You're so fucking beautiful."

Her arms easily found a home around his neck, smirking while pulling him closer.

"And you are so fucking handsome. Especially...when...you..." Her voice trailed once her jaw grew slack.

"When I what?" He palmed her ass, controlling the depth of his dick causing her to lose her breath momentarily.

"Do shit like that."

A blond brow arched in challenge. "You complainin'?"

Tilting her head slightly, she replied, "Don't be stupid."

"I don't know. Seems like you can't hang-"

Well I'm going home, Back to the place where I belong, And where your love has always been enough for me. I'm not running from. No, I think you got me all wrong. I don't regret this life I chose for me. But these places and these faces are getting old,So I'm going home. Well I'm going home.

Mercedes glared at Sam, her hands immediately dropping between them.

"You seriously didn't turn off your phone?"

Turning as red as the lipstick he kissed off moments ago, Sam shrugged. "I forgot. I got distracted by this good good."

Despite her best efforts, she cracked a grin. "You're so damn addicted to this surfbordt-" Daughtry began to sing once again. "Is that the world's longest ringtone?"

"You got somethin' against Daughtry?"

"No, not really but I was really close to coming home my damn self."

The pair burst into juvenile chuckles while Daughtry's gruff voice interrupted them for a third time.

"Ignore it."

She grimaced. "It's kinda hard to ignore."

He reached between them, plucking her clit in time to the music. "How about now?"

Her eyes squeezed shut. "Uh...that's really- oohhhhh...good."

Angling his body, he thrust upwards while pinching her clit. She fell forward, resting her cheek against his, her body quaking with release. He followed suit seconds later, expelling successive grunts into her damp hair.

Together they fell to the bed in a satisfied heap, their combined breaths were the only sound that filled the room until Daughtry's forlorn refrain started again.

With a resigned sigh, Sam glanced at his phone. "I should get that. Mama's probably worried, wondering where the hell we are."

Mercedes groggily replied, "And you can't tell her what we've been up to."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "That we've been fucking at this motel when we should have been there hours ago? Hell no. I'll come up with something."

Using his palms, he lifted her ass cheeks slightly, allowing him just enough room to slip out. Daughtry began to croon once more and he grabbed the phone.

"Hey, Mama!" He tried to keep his tone even so his mother wouldn't be suspicious.

Mary Evans narrowed her eyes at her eldest son's cheerful voice. "Sam... where are you?"

Sam's gaze drifted to the raven-haired goddess lying comfortably on his chest. "We stopped off in Franklin to get some things for the twins and that put us behind."

Mary rolled her eyes but kept her suspicions about their true whereabouts to herself. "I'm sure the kids will love that. Think y'all'll make it before dark because we were hoping that you two would show up before supper."

He felt a twinge of guilt for keeping his family waiting. "Yeah, uh, we'll be there in about an hour or so, depending on how bad the rush is."

"Alright, well peach cobbler'll be waiting for you when you get here."

The hand been gently stroking Mercedes' back abruptly stopped to make a fist pump. "Do I need to pick up the vanilla bean ice cream?"

Mary chuckled, tickled that her adult son acted younger than his siblings when it came to her cooking.

"No, that's waiting for you, too."

"Yessss! We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Okay, son. Give Mercy my love and we'll see you soon."

"Alright! I love you, Mom. Bye."

"Love you, too. Bye bye."

Sam hung up then tossed his cell on the nightstand before wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. "Mama said 'hello'."

Mercedes groaned, her voice muffled when she asked, "Do we have to get up now?"

He shut his eyes to reality for a second, hating to think of anything outside of their motel room. "We've got a good five minutes before we have to hit the shower."

Another groan was released and he snorted.

"I didn't say what we would be doing in the shower, now did I?

"That's a good point."

"A good good point?"

She cackled, burying her face into the crook of his neck. "What am I gonna do with you?"

"Nasty stuff."

"What is wrong with you?"

It took a moment for him to respond. "Everything."

Mercedes lifted her head, staring into his eyes for a moment. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Sam gnawed on his bottom lip while contemplating a response. "You can start the shower."

"It'd be my pleasure."

He watched as she rose from the bed like a goddess intent on enrapturing the beast within him. Her heavy breasts swung and bounced with her movements and he salivated, hoping his mouth would get reacquainted with the hardened tips. When her back was turned to him, his gaze immediately lowered to her ample ass, mesmerized by how much it jiggled while she walked away.

The sound of water running broke him out of his lustful haze and he hopped out of bed, his erection bobbing as he rushed to follow the trail of her perfume.

Dwight Evans observed his little girl with an amused grin. Stacy had been perched in the same spot for the past twenty minutes, diligently watching their quiet street for any sign of Sam's royal blue pickup. Time after time, her hopes were dashed as sedans and SUVs sped past their home.

Frustrated, she turned away from the window, her arms folded in disgust.

"Daddy, when did Mama say they were coming?"

Dwight chuckled to himself before answering, "Any minute now, sweetheart."

"You said that like an hour ago! Are you sure they're coming?"

"Of course, baby. You just have to be patient-"

The sound of an approaching vehicle interrupted him and Stacy pulled the curtain back, immediately squealing when she spotted her brother exiting the truck.

"They're here! They're here! Stevie, they're here!"

Loud, emphatic footsteps barrelled down the staircase, Stevie's voice shrill as he opened the front door. "I'll let them in!"

"Not without your shoes, you won't," Dwight protested.

Stevie looked down at his maroon and yellow striped socks then pouted. "Fine!"

He ran to the mudroom to retrieve the first pair of shoes he could find, galoshes. Flopping his way back into the living room, he showed his father before awkwardly running out of the house to see that Stacy was already being spun in the air by Sam.

Stacy's single braid whipped in the wind that carried her excited cries back into the house. Stevie wasn't too bothered because he set eyes on Mercedes, the best hug giver he had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

"Mercy!"

The shout gave Mercedes just enough time to position herself for an armful of Stevie. He inhaled her perfume which reminded him of the apple cinnamon tarts his mama liked to bake for Sunday dinner.

Mercedes squeezed the boy tightly in her arms, grinning when he didn't want to let her go. Pulling back, she said, "I missed you so much, Andy!"

"Not as much as I missed you, Jessie!"

"Been on any amazing adventures since I last saw ya?"

Stevie shook his head. "Naw. Just a lot of math, which sucks!"

Mercedes snickered as she took his smaller hand in hers. "Hmm... sounds like we need to get into some trouble."

Stacy shook her head vehemently. "Naw unh. You can't get in any more trouble, Stevie, or you'll get grounded!"

Sam and Mercedes exchanged amused looks while Stevie glared at Stacy, upset that she had disclosed his secret so quickly.

"And just what did you do to put yourself in this position, Mini-me?"

Stevie shrugged while Stacy gleefully provided an answer. "He was fighting and got a detention!"

"Shut up, Stacy!"

Stevie dropped Mercedes' hand, stomping off towards the house angrily.

Sam set Stacy back on the ground. "That wasn't very nice, Stace."

Stacy studied the browning grass in the front yard, embarrassed for being a tattletale. "I just told you 'cause he wasn't."

Mercedes frowned, shaking her head slightly. "Cricket, you don't go around telling people's secrets. He was probably going to tell us but you didn't give him the chance to."

Stacy muttered, "Okay. I'm sorry."

Sam wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "It's alright. Just remember that for next time, okay?"

"Okay!"

Mercedes shivered then reached for Stacy's hand. "C'mon, let's go inside while Sam brings in your presents!"

Hazel eyes grew wide as saucers. "PRESENTS?! Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

Sam watched his baby sister literally drag his girlfriend into the house with a chuckle before turning his attention to unloading the truck.

A husky voice asked, "Need some help with that?"

Sam cracked a smile, turning back around with his arms outstretched. "Dad!

"Hey, son!" Dwight hugged his eldest, patting his back eagerly in his excitement. "It's great to have you back home."

Sam stepped back, still holding onto his father's shoulders. "It feels good to be back."

"You look good. Refreshed. Looks like the trip wasn't too taxing."

Sam shrugged. "Almost six hours. Wasn't that bad. I had good company."

Dwight smirked with a slight nod. "No doubt about that. Your ma tells me y'all were in Franklin."

Sam scratched the top of his head, patting away the cowlick that formed. "We, uh, forgot to get some presents for the kids."

Dwight bounced up and down on his heels. "I'm sure you two treated yourselves, also."

The blush he had been trying to desperately to hide, finally spread across Sam's cheeks. "Yeah, but we didn't spoil dinner."

"Oh, I'm sure y'all worked up quite the appetite." Dwight let the comment settle in for a moment before adding, "With the drive and all."

Sam felt like burrowing himself into the ground. His father was never one to come right out with his suspicions, preferring instead to torture his children until a confession was made.

"Dad...whatever you're thinking, it's probably true. Let's just leave it at that."

"I'm just messin', son." Patting him on the back. "Now let's get these bags in the house so you can refuel!"

He winked then grabbed the first bag, which he immediately tossed to his shocked son. After a little teamwork, the two managed to unload the truck in a manner of minutes.

Trudging into the two-story Craftsman, they were nearly tackled by the twins, who were eager to open their presents.

Mary folded her legs underneath her, leaning against the armrest as she faced the younger woman. "I can't believe we haven't seen each other since Sam's graduation. Soon it'll be time for yours. I know you're about ready to leave Columbus behind."

Mercedes took a slow sip of the peppermint mocha hot chocolate, mulling the impending changes to her life. "Even though I'm going to miss it, I can't wait to leave. I'm really excited about the move. New York is going to be such a huge adjustment."

"Oh, I remember what it was like. Everyone always in a rush to get to where they're going. Lots of noise but you get used to it. It becomes a security blanket that helps you sleep at night."

Mercedes frowned. "You lived in New York? Oh my gosh, when?"

"Oh, Sammy didn't tell you about my sordid yankee past?" Mary laughed, her cheeks dimpling as leaned closer to Mercedes. "Don't tell anyone but I'm originally from Jersey."

Mercedes blinked twice. "Jersey...Tennessee?"

"Nope, Jersey as in New."

"But I don't-"

"It's the accent, right? It throws people off. Growing up, I'd spend my summers down here to stay with my Aunt Lorelle. I met Dwight during one of those summers and when it came time to choose schools, I settled on Vanderbilt and I've been here ever since. I just fell in love with the scenery and the people. Well, a person, then the people." Mary sipped a little of the hot chocolate. "Guess I was a small town girl all along."

"I am, too. If I had a choice, I'd love to live in a house as incredible as this. Where, I'd have to drive a mile to see a neighbor, but, unfortunately, I have to go where I can get a record deal. Now, if I was a country artist, I'm in the right spot!" The pair shared a laugh. "But New York's fun. There's lots to do and Sam already has a job so we're set. The only hard part, other than the actual move, is narrowing down songs for my demo."

"Ooh, how is that going?"

"Very well. I've decided to record five tracks but picking songs is so much harder than I thought it would be. Out of the fifty songs I've written, I've selected eight but then I have to whittle that down to four."

Mary's lifted a hand, waving it around excitedly. "Wait, wait...you've written fifty songs? Holy cow! When are you recording?"

The question brought a smile to Mercedes' face. "First thing, I have to have my list finalized by the time we go back. I have about a week before classes start to record. The only hard part is finding the right studio."

"Well, if you need somewhere quiet to focus, I know a place where you can record."

Mercedes' brows rose in surprise. "Wait, seriously?"

Mary chuckled then nodded emphatically. "Seriously. I have a friend who owns Dark Horse Studios. I've known him for about twenty years and he owes me several favors. I think it's time that I cashed one in."

Unable to contain her excitement, Mercedes placed her mug on a coaster then leaned over the armrest to hug Mary. "Thank you so much."

"Oh, it's my pleasure." After they parted, she added, "Of course, you're welcome to stay with us while you're down here."

Mercedes shook her head in disbelief. "I can't even believe this."

Mary patted Mercedes' hand. "Believe it. After all, you're family."

"I was wondering where you two were."

Dwight's gruff voice filled the small room, startling the women.

Mary flinched, then laughed. "Are you trying to kill me? Goodness. Now you've gone and interrupted our catching up."

He covered his chest in mock offense. "I hate to break this up but some of us are starving. Isn't that right, Mercy?"

She nodded. "I'm a little hungry. It's been a long day."

Dwight fought to keep his amusement underwraps.

"Well, I hope it's more than a little because I made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, greens, biscuits and, of course, peach cobbler."

Mercedes had begun to blackout sometime after 'greens' were mentioned, her stomach growling painfully while she visualized the spread awaiting them in the kitchen.

"I'll take my cobbler now." Sam announced as he staggered into the room, a twin wrapped around each leg. "Y'all are getting too big for this."

The more he objected, the tighter the kids clung to him.

Stevie laughed while Stacy defended herself and Stevie. "But you're Captain America, Sammy, and Captain America is always strong."

The corners of Sam's eyes crinkled as he chuckled. "Yeah, but it took me ten minutes to make it down a hallway. I might be strong but y'all are slowing me down."

The twins had nothing to say in response, their grip on Sam's legs remaining persistent.

Resigned to his fate, Sam tried one last tactic to get the kids off his legs. "If you let me go, Mercy and I will take you ice skating tomorrow."

Stacy chanced a glance at Mercedes who gave her an encouraging nod. Ever the negotiator, she added another condition to her older brother's release.

"And for ice cream after?"

Her request sent a wave of chuckles around the room.

Sam narrowed his eyes, considering Stacy's terms. "It's a deal."

The twins immediately dismounted then high-fived before running out the room, leaving the adults confused in their wake.

Incredulous, Sam stared at Mercedes. "I think they planned this all along!"

Dwight patted him on the shoulder. "They know a sucker when they see one."

Mary shook with laughter, collecting the mugs on her way towards the door. "It's okay, Sammy. You haven't developed an immunity to the Wonder Twins yet. If you came home more often, you'd know all of their tricks."

Dumbstruck, Sam watched his parents leave, their cackles echoing off the walls they'd long pass. He turned to look at Mercedes, who tried to hide her laughter behind her hand but it was to no avail. She immediately started cracking up causing him to fold his arms, storming out of the room.

"Baby, hold on!" She chased after him, catching up to him surprisingly fast. "I couldn't help it! It was funny."

Sam shrugged then wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It was but I thought we were a team."

Mercedes reached up to hold his hand. "We are. Always. Don't worry. We can take them. They're only ten."

"You're right. We got this." He hugged her closer, lowering his head to brush his lips against her temple. "Now let's grub."

Giggling, she hugged his waist as they advanced to the kitchen. "Let's!"

"So, what do you want to do now," Sam asked, opening then holding the door open for Mercedes to walk through.

Turning around, she scrutinized both sides of the street. Everything looked the same, the only detail differentiating one storefront from another was the paint on the door. Everything was uniform and perfectly uninteresting.

They had spent the morning driving around town, running a few last minute errands for his mother in preparation for Christmas dinner. Now that they were done, they had a little time to kill so they spent it exploring Downtown.

"I dunno. Why don't you pick?"

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I could take you up the mountain so we could make out."

She slapped his shoulder, giggling,"You are a mess!"

"Baby, it's been too long."

"It's been a day. Hush!"

"You just don't understand. That twin bed was rough."

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "Listen, at least you didn't have to try to sleep with a light show going on. I knew I should have brought my sleeping mask!"

"Stacy loves that night light but, yeah, I could see how that would be a pain."

"The things we suffer through for the holidays. But it's only two more nights. Then we can get back to our regularly scheduled program of debauchery."

He pressed his lips into a pout eerily similar to Stevie's. "Two nights is too long."

Mercedes held onto his shoulders, leaning in as she whispered, "This is partly my fault for putting it on you so good the other day but suck it up. You can do this."

"Can't we find a bathroom or something?"

She threw her hands up in frustration, opting to walk away instead of smacking him upside the head.

Sam laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist once he caught up to her. "I was kidding!" He sprayed apologetic kisses against her cheek and neck. "I can hang. Promise."

"Good. Now behave."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Linking arms, they continued walking down Main Street, ending up in front of the Greek Revival styled courthouse.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sam spotted something that he wanted her to see.

"I wanna show you somethin'."

His mysterious tone made her curious and eager to find out what had him so entranced.

For a block and a half, his pace had sped up considerably and she had to almost jog to keep up. Then he abruptly stopped in front of a large two-story brick building that reminded her of a smaller version of the courthouse. It wasn't until she squinted to read the placard did she realize where she was.

He sighed, olive eyes panning the façade of Mount Pleasant Middle School, struggling to hold it together as a flood of memories rushed to the forefront of his mind. She reached for his hand and waited for him to speak.

"When I first came here, I was so excited. Everything was new and when you're a kid, newness seems magical. I felt like a Big Kid because more was expected from me. Then Mama had the twins and everything kinda changed."

With a lowered head, he took a seat on the wooden bench adjacent to the front walkway and she joined him, waiting for him to continue.

"I had a lot more responsibility. The pregnancy was hard on her and since Dad worked nights, I helped out around the house. I was glad to do it. Just seeing the smile on her face was reward enough. But socially there was a cost. I couldn't hang out with my friends and eventually they stopped asking. Right around then is when I started drawing. Other kids had journals but I had my sketches."

He adjusted his beanie, pulling the brim down over his ears then leaned against the back of the bench.

"With all the craziness going on in my life, drawing was the only thing that stayed consistent. It was my catharsis. I was obsessed with making sure everything was perfect because it was the one thing I had one hundred percent control over."

Mercedes listened intently as Sam shared his past with her. He sometimes alluded to the difficult circumstances surrounding the twins' arrival but this was the first time he went into specifics. Her heart filled with so much love for him that she was certain she would explode. Somehow, she kept her head, simply resting her head against his shoulder as a show of support.

"That's exactly how I feel about singing. No matter what's going on, I always have that to fall back on."

He rested his head on top of hers, grateful that she was there to listen.

"I knew you'd understand."

Her lips spread into a toothy grin. "Of course, baby. But you know what?"

He cuddled closer to her. "What?"

She lifted her head and he glanced at her, wondering why she moved away.

Seeing his confusion, she palmed both sides of his face. "We've also got each other. Don't ever forget that."

Sam smiled softly, hiding the multitude of emotions coursing through him. It was taking everything for him not to get down on one knee. He didn't have a ring, at least not right now. It wasn't ready, yet, and it pained him not to have it in his possession because the moment was perfect. He went back and forth, weighing pros and cons. She needed the ring and everyone that he had told was expecting for it to happen months from now. Despite his urges, he had to wait until the time was right.

Instead, he placed his hands on her cheeks, pulling her closer for a soft kiss that grew in intensity, leaving them both breathless when they finally parted.

Mercedes, still attempting to regain her bearings, whispered, "Two days, huh? How will we survive?"

He hunched his shoulders, unable to come up with a solution to their never-ending problem.

"Lots and lots of prayer."

Her loud laugh echoed loudly through the courtyard and, unable to help himself, he joined in.

"Alright, enough of living in the past." Standing, he reached out his hand to help her up. "Let's go home."

She took his hand and together they walked back towards Main Street, discussing what they would be cooking for The Evans Kids' Christmas Eve Dinner Extravaganza™.

"Lasagna is always a crowd pleaser but I wouldn't mind a steak."

She rolled her eyes. "You never mind a steak, but that's too heavy. Especially if we're having turkey and ham tomorrow. I can make it meatless so we won't be so full, the kids can make a salad and you can make sugar cookies. See? Nice and sensible!"

Seizing the opportunity she provided, he quipped, "But I like your cookies the best!"

Mercedes stopped walking to glare at him and Sam, finally noticing that she wasn't walking along with him, turned back with a shrug. "What?"

He laughed at her annoyance, jogging towards her while enveloping her in his arms. "I was playing but also telling the truth."

"You need some Jesus."

A retort was on the tip on his tongue but a familiar face caught his attention before he could speak it.

Mere feet away, his past leaned against the stuccoed exterior of the Bumble Bee Bakery, unaware that he was approaching, head lowered as she stared at her iPhone. Remarkably, she looked exactly the same, the only obvious difference was that her blonde hair was cut into a bob, which only drew more attention to her beautiful face.

His voice, calm despite the circumstances, called out. "Quinn?"

The blonde's face lifted then turned in the direction of his voice. "Sam?! Oh my gosh, it is you!"

Her grin was so undeniably contagious that it even spread to Mercedes, who observed their interaction warily.

Quinn dumped her phone into the front pocket of her peacoat, lifting her arms high in the air to grant Sam a hug that he readily accepted.

A/N: See, I told you there were some surprises. So, what do you think of Ms. Fabray's arrival? Let me know by reviewing! Until next update!