Inheriting Family &

Choosing Friends

Hey ya! I chose the title of this chapter because an older cousin once told me that you don't get to choose your family just your friends and in this chapter we will be dealing with both. I wanted to thank everyone who has helped me through this crazy journey of Joshua's! I am going to miss the little guy once I wrap up this story! I have outlined the last chapter to this story with multiple endings. I just wanted to tell ya how much I love ya for helping me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or its characters!

Love ya, LudaNeet!

"Tell me all about Sam's mini- me's!" Kurt said letting himself into Mercedes house.

"Guess what I did last night?" Mercedes beamed leading him into the living room.

"What did you do last night?" Kurt played along noticing the throw blanket hanging off Mercedes black leather couch.

"I actually took a hot bath. Do you know the last time I took a bath because I don't? I slept in until 9:30 today. I miss my baby every minute he is gone yet I miss the simple things. On TV if the kid is not 5 or older they are invisible. One show they had twins that must have lived in the attic because the only thing seen was their toys. Nobody really tells you about the togetherness." Mercedes shook her head.

"I'm going to have to have a talk with Sam if he continues to take Josh on the weekends you are going to spin out of control and join a sewing club." Kurt flopped on the end of the couch placing the blanket on his legs.

"Whatever," Mercedes hit him with her decorative pillow.

"Now tell me all about the Evanettes." Kurt to hear how Mercedes meet and greet went. Kurt already knew the girls were beautiful, Blaine and Sam used to be good friends; Sam would periodically send updated pictures of the family. Kurt wanted to know more about their personalities. After all their mother was Brittany, she was an interesting human being.

"Sam has the most beautiful girls ever. Jessica asked me did I love her dad, Elizabeth was a little stand offish but Tiffany was so cute and sweet I wanted to attack her with kisses. I want one for Christmas." Mercedes smiled, "Tiffany loves Joshua to bits and pieces."

"I am glad to hear that now that we can move past this bullshit maybe Sam and you can move forward. I thought for a minute I was going to have to design a wedding dress to fit your wheelchair. Now all I have to do is battle it out for Maid of Honor with Tina. I will be Groom of Honor." Kurt started to mentally design a pale purple wedding dress for Mercedes and a dark purple tuxedo for himself.

"Kurt before you bring out the champagne to celebrate my imaginary engagement, I think you should know I decided definitely I cannot date Sam Evans."

"What the hell are you talking about? You have two out of three of the girls' approval."

"More like one and half approval. Jessica is on the fence about me and Tiffany is a baby she loves everyone." Mercedes said.

"Here we go again Diva's 2,000 reasons why she cannot date Samuel Evans. Okay I'm ready to hear it." Kurt slit his eyes.

"Tiffany hugged me and asked me could I be her new mommy."

Kurt placed his hand across his chest, "That is the sweetest and most precious thing I have ever heard, your right those little demons it's all a trick. Don't marry into their family."

"Anyway I told her I could never be her mom but I would be honored to be her friend. Tiffany is the sweetest child I ever met my own included. I couldn't bare it if she looks at me with those big beautiful green eyes with hatred."

"It's called parenting." Kurt interrupted.

"You know exactly what I mean if she finds out I am the reason her parents broke up."

"And there it is." Kurt dramatically held out his hand. He was tired of Mercedes multiple excuses of why she couldn't be with Sam; his favorite was what if she ran into Shane with Sam.

"You don't understand how hard this is."

"I don't understand how hard this is for whom? You? The girls? Shane? No Diva, you made it very fucking clear how hard it is for the girls, Shane and most importantly you.

I have a question for you; have you ever stopped to think how hard it was on Blaine, me and Sam? Because I don't think you do. Sam was once Blaine's best friend and to keep your secret he betrayed him. I almost lost my relationship with Blaine trying to keep you happy. Sam lost time with his only son! I lost a piece of my heart giving Joshua back to you and here is the damn kicker everyone is still bending over backwards trying to make sure that poor Mercedes is okay; everyone Blaine, Simon, Shane and me. Mercedes All I asked of you was to give Sam a chance!" Kurt hoped up from the couch yelling.

"Why do you even care?" Mercedes asked? She tried not to angry herself.

"Easy I need to know that this whole situation added up to something other than three girls gaining a broken family, two divorces, a childless couple and a whole bunch of hearts." Kurt paused, "Something about Joshua's birth has to be positive for him."

"If you felt like that why didn't you say something?"

"Diva, you are my best friends I never had to before." Kurt shook his head leaving.

…..

"Blaine, when Kurt comes home will you tell him I called." Mercedes left her fourth repeated message of the day to Kurt.

"Give him a day or two. He's been holding a lot of stuff in trying to do the right thing." Blaine reasoned with her.

"Blaine I'm sorry if I damaged your friendship with Sam."

"Thanks I better go." Blaine gripped hard on the phone. Sam and him had become best friends their senior year in high school, he was even Jessica's honorary godfather. They had drifted apart over the years but he had a clue with his role in the Joshua scandal that they would never be close again.

"Okay bye." Mercedes hung up the phone.

Mercedes was about to take a nap when her phone wailed at her.

"Hello," Mercedes hoped it was Kurt. He was the only one who ever called her on her house phone.

"Hey Cedes' I need a huge favor." Sam said sounding like he was out of breath.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you to watch the girls for a few hours. Santana is out-of-town filming a new movie and Britt is with her and there is no one else I know who can watch them." Sam sounded desperate.

"Sam, I am not too sure if that is a great idea." Mercedes hesitated.

"Mercedes, look I don't have time to hold your hand on this one. I am dropping Joshua and the girls off in thirty minutes. Simon is in the hospital and I need to get there!" Sam ordered.

"What happened to Simon?" Mercedes heart dropped.

"I don't know. Lacey is out of it. She called me she could barely get it out that he was in the hospital. Simon has always been there for me no matter what stupid shit I did, I need to get there to be there for him. I can't have the girls under my foot I need to focus on Simon and Lacey. How would you feel if the person you loved more than life its self was in the hospital?" Sam asked her?

Mercedes shuddered Simon Evans was the first guy at McKinley high she had a crush on; the only girl he saw was Quinn Fabray. Simon and Quinn used to go on double dates with Sam and her the summer they dated. Mercedes had learned the smooth ladies' man was really a softy and great cousin. Simon with his ultra-blue eyes, shaggy brownish – blonde hair and sexy teasing lips could pass for Sam's twin. She didn't have to dig deep in her imagination to picture a love one in the hospital bed; she could picture it like it was Sam.

"I will watch them but the minute the second you get news on Simon you call me. He is my friend."

"I am on my way." Sam hung up without a goodbye, "Girls! I have to drop you off at Mercedes house!"

"No thank you." Beta blinked back tears as she came into the room, "I want to go with you, daddy." Beta had no idea what was going on, she knew that her daddy was scared of something. She wanted to help him.

"Elizabeth it is not up for discussion go get a few items. We will pick up something to eat on the way." Sam said.

"Daddy, is everything okay?" Jessica came from upstairs; she had Joshua in her arms.

"We go to Misscedes?" Tiffany asked following behind her sister.

"Yes grab a few things; I will pick you up as soon as I can."

"No daddy.' Beta sulked. Sam took a deep breath he forgot how young his daughter was masked under all her anger.

"Baby, I love you! I would never leave you with anybody I don't trust with my life because you kids are my life. I promise the second I can come get you, I will." Sam kissed her forehead.

"I will help Tiffany and Beta get ready." Jessica didn't skip a beat.

Sam looked at all his children; Jessica had morphed into a tiny mother figure overnight he was going to have to fix that very soon, Jess deserved
a snot nose kid.

"I will help them you get a few things for you." Sam said.

"Thank you!" Sam waved from the car. He pulled off the minute Elizabeth's feet touched her drive way.

"What girly things should we do? Paint our nails and toes?" Mercedes suggested hoisting Joshua on her hip. Joshua laughed grabbing at her headband.

"I want my daddy!" Beta wailed.

"Do you have any dollies?" Tiffany showed Mercedes her own brown-haired cabbage patch kid.

"She is pretty what her name is?" Mercedes asked?

"Mully."

"She's trying to say Molly." Jessica decoded for her. Mercedes gave her a thank you smile.

"I want my mommy and daddy." Beta wiped the tears away before they could escape down her cheeks.

"Honey, why don't we go in the house and call your mommy?" Mercedes was sure she could get the number from Sam if she texted him what was going on.

"You don't have my mommy's number." Elizabeth hiccupped. Joshua leaned in from his mother's arm to kiss her on the lips.

"Stop." Elizabeth wiped away his kiss. Joshua finding the outcome funny leaned in to kiss her again. Elizabeth repeated her earlier action causing Joshua to grant her another kiss. Mercedes wasn't sure if she should break up their interaction or allow it to continue.

Joshua placed his arms out for Elizabeth to pick him up that way he could shower her with kisses.

"Where's my kiss, Joshy?" Tiffany demanded.

"Let's go in." Mercedes suggested. All three girls followed her into her house.

"My daddy said I can watch Mama." Elizabeth informed Mercedes ten minutes later.

"He did huh?" Mercedes raised her left eyebrow. She had told the girls they could pick a movie to watch but she didn't think Sam would be happy if she allowed them to watch a scary movie.

"No, he did not." Jessica said.

"I would like to watch Mama for you but I am a scaredy cat how about we watch a Disney movie? Who is your favorite princess?"

"ArL Lily look like her." Tiffany shook her head causing her pinch able cheeks jiggle a little.

"I like Ariel too! Little Mermaid do we all agree with popcorn and chips?" Mercedes asked?

"I would rather see Mama." Elizabeth repeated.

"I want to see Little Mermaid." Jessica whispered.

"Elizabeth, who is your favorite princess and we will watch her next." Mercedes promised.

"I don't have one.' Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and plopped down on the floor. Joshua crawled over to her.

"May I help you fix the popcorn?" Jessica asked shyly.

"I would like that." Mercedes smiled.

"Stop following me." Elizabeth scooted away from Josh. Josh followed as quick as his little legs could crawl him.

Joshua put his hands up.

"This is the last time I am picking you up." Elizabeth looked around to make sure nobody saw her pick him up. When nobody was looking she would play with Joshua.

….

"Lacey, what happened?" Sam asked wrapping her up in his arms.

"Simon was crossing the street when a car drove through the red light. I always teased him about being a stickler for waiting for the walk light and he still gets hit by a car." Lacey leaned into Sam's chest.

Simon was never one to really follow the rules but the ones he did he committed to hundred percent.

"What has the doctor said? Have you called Uncle Dwayne? Do you need me to call?' Sam asked? He was trying to be the clear thinking one.

"I forgot to call his mom. I cannot call them. Lily and My are with my sister. Sam, I cannot lose Simon I don't know how to live without him." Lacey admitted.

"Lac, listen I will call my Aunt and Uncle you stay here for when the doctor comes out."

"Sam, the car did not even stop. He didn't even stop." Lacey let a fresh batch of tears escape.

"Simon will be okay, he always is. Did I tell you about the time he fell out of the tree? Simon is one of the most hard-headed people I know he will be good as new." Sam gave a tight smile. Lacey nodded in agreement.

"Sam you know you don't call nearly enough." His Aunt laughed picking up her phone. Sam tried to gather the courage to bust her little happy bubble.

"Aunty, I am calling because I am at the hospital."

"Is everything okay?" she asked?

"Aunty, Simon was in an accident. The doctors are doing everything they can." Sam rushed the words out.

"Samuel Evans get off my phones with your lies." Aunt Evans hissed.

"I am not lying; I am here with Lacey waiting to hear from the doctors." Sam said.

"This is not a funny joke!"

"Aunty, may I speak with Uncle Dwayne?" Sam said softly.

"Dwayne Evans talk to your damn nephew." Sam could hear his Aunt dropping the phone to the floor. A minute later he could hear his Uncle's unsettling grunt.

"Hey, what you say to get Vannah's panties in a bunch?" Dwayne huffed

"Uncle Dwayne, Simon was in an accident I am here at the hospital waiting to hear something anything.

"My boy was in an accident?" Dwayne's voice sounded far away. Simon was his youngest and only son. Simon had two older sisters, Sheila and Sherry.

"Yes sir." Sam replied.

"I will be up there before morning, please call your folks to tell them what is going on. Tell Dwight not to come out there just yet. My boy will be okay and if a bunch of people show up he will thinking he is dying. I will see you soon." Dwayne hung up without a goodbye.

…..

"I like your house. Daddy's house is too big." Jessica said softly. Jessica sat on the vent to hog up the cold air that was being dispensed every ten minutes.

"Thank you." Mercedes said.

"I like California but I miss Ohio." Jessica rubbed her right arm with her left hand.

"I miss Ohio sometimes too" Mercedes listened to the microwave. She was making root beer floats for them.

"What if I don't make any friends at school? My best friend, Katie may come to visit for a week or two when my Aunt Stacy and Uncle Stevie come to visit." Jessica told her.

"That sounds like fun. Tiffany is lucky her best friend is Lilyanya. Elizabeth's best friend is named Tiffany Pendleton, she don't look like our Tiff. Tiffany Pendleton has dark brown hair and gray eyes; she is very short. She's okay but she can be bossy." Jessica paused not sure if she should continue talking to Mercedes.

Mercedes looked at Jessica seeing her truly for the first time as a lonely little kid.

"I had a bossy friend." Mercedes smiled.

"Katie my friend is the best she knows how to speak Spanish." Jessica said.

"Hold on one second," Mercedes said hearing her phone ringing.

"Cedes', how is he? Damn, I can't believe Simon is in the hospital." Kurt fretted. Mercedes had left a message with Blaine the minute she found out.

"I am waiting to get a phone call back." Mercedes admitted, "We are going to watch Little Mermaid and eat popcorn."

"Blaine is going to go over the hospital and I am on my way to help you with the kids."

"Thanks Kurt and I am sorry for being a crappy best friend when you are awesome."

"Mercedes, I know. I love you." Kurt said, "Will be there soon."

"That was my best friend, Kurt he is on his way to watch movies with us." Mercedes told Jessica.

"Okay, is Kurt your boyfriend?" Jessica sounded disappointed.

Mercedes chuckled, "No Kurt is not my boyfriend. He is my best friend."

"I don't know too many best friends that are girl and boy."

"Kurt is a great friend; I cannot picture anybody else being a better friend." Mercedes said.

…..

"Mrs. Evans, "The doctor approached Lacey and Sam.

"Yes." Lacey leaned into Sam for support.

"Mr. Evans has sustained some serious injuries, we have finally stabilized him. He is resting now. You will be able to go in to see him for a few minutes once we put him in a room." The doctor said.

"Simon will be okay?" Lacey cried into Sam's shirt.

"Mrs. Evans for now he is stable yet we are keeping a close eye on him. We are happy to report that there were no injuries to the brain" The doctor said.

"Did the police find the driver?" Sam asked? Sam needed to see in the eyes of the man who had left his cousin for dead.

"Sorry Sir, I am not sure." The doctor rubbed his neck family was hard to face especially when the patient and their sibling resembled so much it made him feel like the patient was standing in front of him asking are you sure you did everything you could?

"Thank you Dr. Kutter, I will find the officer assigned to his case." Sam sighed he was happy to hear about his cousin. Sam wasn't ready to sigh with relief until Simon was home. He knew he had to stay clear headed because Big Dwayne was no joke.

"Sam," Blaine hugged him.

"Blaine, what are you doing here? Where is Kurt?" Sam looked around wondering if another person in his life was hurt.

"Kurt is helping Mercedes with the kids. She was worried about you she asked me to come to help you with anything I can beside I wanted to come to support you." Blaine explained.

"I'm glad to see you. We should be able to see him in a few. Blaine you remember Sy's wife, Lacey? Lacey this is Blaine my best friend." Sam introduced them.

"I remember him from Mercedes CD release signing. Sorry we have to meet again in these circumstances." Lacey said politely. Sam placed his arms around her shoulders for support. Blaine could see Lacey relaxing a bit.

"Is there anything I could get either one of you coffee, a snack?" Blaine liked to keep busy in crises.

"No thank you." Lacey forced a half-smile, "Sam, you should go get a snack. I will be okay for a few minutes."

"Are you sure?" Sam didn't want to leave Lacey by herself.

"Yes, I'm going to call my sister to check on the kids." Lacey waved him away.

"I see why Sy married her she's great." Blaine said as they walked through the corridor s.

"Yea, Lac is terrific." Sam stopped. He slid down the wall as if someone had pulled the carpet from his feet.

"Sam?"

"I almost lost my cousin today." Sam's face crumpled. Sam hid his face as the tears made their home there.

"Simon is an Evans he will be fine in no time." Blaine rubbed his back.

"Did you know Sy is older than me by two months? He won't let me forget it either. I have looked up that man all my life. Simon is the youngest child and only boy. His mother spoiled him rotten and his dad Big Dwayne was hard on him and somewhere in the middle Simon became this larger than life person. I should have been a better cousin to him. I should have. Because of Sy I have a job and a place to live. When I told him Brittany was pregnant he didn't say anything negative he bought us a high chair. He has always looked out for me even as kids. There was this one time I got caught stealing bubble gum at the store, he took the fall. Big Dwayne whipped him so hard that I could practically feel it. I never stole anything again. Me what kind of cousin am I? I knew Simon liked Quinn before I got to McKinley but no I had to have her. What does Simon do? When he found out Finn stole Quinn from me instead of telling me karma is a bitch he quit being his friend. Blaine, I don't deserve him as my cousin." Sam cried.

"My Grandmomma always used to say you inherit family friends you get to choose. Sam you got lucky you inherited a terrific friend." Blaine continued to rub his back.

"Thanks." Sam tried to pull himself together; he wanted to get back to Lacey.

"I didn't do anything." Blaine admitted.

"For being here, I needed a minute." Sam wiped the remaining tears from his face with the back of his hand.

….

"Look at my toes Mr." Tiffany wiggled her orange covered toe at Kurt.

"Eww grossy." Elizabeth made a face. She was working on painting her finger nails pink.

"That is very beautiful.' Mercedes said. Kurt was squirming in his seat trying not to concentrate on the orange-colored toe. He wanted to fix it for the poor baby bad.

"Do you like my nails?" Jessica asked? Jess had painted her nails a deep blue with pink splotches. Kurt was impressed with the artwork.

"I like it." Kurt was having fun with the Evanettes. He had arrived at Mercedes a bit before their movie ended. Joshua had fallen asleep to the credits of the movie. Now they were doing a little homemade pampering.

"Want me to do yours Misscedes?" Tiffany asked pointing at Mercedes nails.

Mercedes tapped her French manicure together, "Sure."

Kurt gave her a surprised look. Nobody touched Mercedes nails except Najiah at the beauty salon; Tiffany must have really stolen her heart.

"She's no good." Elizabeth laughed.

Mercedes sacrificed her French manicure to the tiny girl. Jessica laughed at the scared look on Mercedes face that Tiffany missed. Tiffany slapped a lime green color of nail polish on her nails.

"Hello," Kurt suppressed his laugh answering his cell.

"Hey, I was calling to update you about Sy."

"How is he?" Kurt asked locking eyes with Mercy.

"Simon is stable, no brain injuries; a broken leg and busted ribs. Lacey is going back to see him then Sam. I 'm not allowed back just family. Sam should be there to get the girls in a few hours. His Aunt and Uncle should be here soon. Kurt, I wanted to tell you how much I love you." Blaine said.

"I love you too. Tell Sam to take his time. We are having a spa day." Kurt said.

"I will. See you soon, Love." Blaine said his good-bye.

"How are the girls?" Sam asked Blaine.

"Kurt has them doing makeovers." Blaine chuckled.

"Sounds like fun." Sam sipped on his tea.

"Simon wants to see you." Lacey emerged from her husband's room.

Lacey looked like a different person just from the power of her husband's words. She looked relieved, peaceful and ready to conquer anything.

"Thanks." Sam kissed the side of her face.

"How do I look?" Simon threw his arms out. Sam wanted to tell him he looked like an robot with all the device's he was hooked up to.

"The staff is a little paranoid they are keeping a close eye on every part of my body. I do like this IV it has the drugs to control the pain." Simon pointed to a random IV.

"Sy, Big Dwayne and Aunt Vannah are on their way here." Sam said.

"Great, I thought that car was trying to kill me. I was wrong you are. They do not need to be here. Mom will baby me and get on Lacey' nerves while Big Dwayne will holler at me to get better. Pain is for wussiess." Simon gave a hollow cough.

"I was worried about you. How are you feeling?" Sam asked?

"I feel like I got in a fight with a car and guess what the car won." Simon laughed at his own joke.

"Sy stop it. I thought I lost you." Sam angrily told him.

"I am going to buy Lacey one of those candy strippers outfits. One cute nurse offered me a sponge bath but she has nothing on Lac." Simon said.

"I'm out of here." Sam turned to leave.

"Samuel, truthfully I was scared! My girls, my wife I want to see them for another seventy years. I want to scare off those ugly boys my daughters are going to date. I have to walk them down the aisle on their wedding day. I wasn't scared of the dying part. I was scared of leaving my family. Thank you for being here with my wife." Simon said.

"Simon, I'm glad you are okay." Sam said.

"Thanks for being that brother I never had." Simon laid his head into his pillow.

…

"How were they?" Sam asked Mercedes.

"They were great." Mercedes said. It was close to two in the morning. Kurt had left around midnight the second the last kid fell asleep.

"Thank you for helping me today. I waited until my Uncle and Aunt got in town." Sam hugged her.

"How is Simon doing?" Mercy squeezed back.

"He saw his parents for a few and then sent them to a hotel nearby. He's fine; Lacey is spending the night at the hospital. I'm going to pick up his girls tomorrow afternoon for a few hours to give her sister a break." Sam said.

"Maybe you should have Kurt teach them how to do a manicure too." Mercedes showed off her lime green nails and fingers.

"Tiffany?" Sam guessed.

"Yes." Mercy rubbed her fingers the nail polish remover hadn't been too successful on her skin,"Do the police have any leads on the driver?"

"I briefly talked to the officer it was a dark blue Nissan driven by an older Caucasian man. Not too much to go by. They are having a few witnesses look over some DUI drivers and they are going to see go over any videos that may have caught the driver on tape."Sam rubbed the kink in his neck.

"If there is anything you need just tell me." Mercy said.

"Thanks again. Let me collect them and we will get out of your hair."

"Sam, they are sleep in my guest room well except Tiffany." Mercy said.

"Where is Tiffany?" Sam asked?

"In here." Mercy lead him into Joshua's nursery.

Tiffany was in the crib dressed in her cowgirl skirt and matching vest had her arm around Joshua's waist. Joshua's football pacifier abandoned in front of him. One of Tiffany's pigtails was pinned under Josh's shoulder.

"Did you take a picture?" Sam asked?

"Yes, I did. Look its late let the girls spend the night. I don't want you driving this late, I know you are tired." Mercy said.

"Are you sure its okay?" Sam asked?

"Yea, I will set up the couch for you." Mercy went to go get a few blankets, "Have you eaten anything?"

"Some nasty cafeteria food but I am thirsty." Sam admitted.

"Juice or water?" Mercy asked?

"Water please." Sam said.

"Goodnight." Mercedes handed Sam the water.

"Goodnight, Mercy." Sam said.

…

"Keep me updated with Simon." Mercedes hugged Sam.

"I will. I better get going." Sam looked out the window he had a long day ahead of him. The girls were already packed in the car ready to go.

"Sam when things calm down a little can we grab a cup of coffee?" Mercy shyly asked? Simon's accident made her realize how short time really was.

"I would love that." Sam kissed her forehead.

"It's a date then." Mercy looked over in the house at Joshua in his playpen.

"It's a date." Sam smiled going to his car.

A/N: Thank you again for the reviews! I love being part of the Samcedes fandom I get to read great stories and to share my own theories thank you guys!

Love ya!

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