This chapter is short but an important segway into the next. Enjoy, stay blessed and remember to review.

Mercedes, Devon, Maggie, and Angel walked to the front of the 25-story building. Mercedes stood in front of the building. She was nervous because this very place held so much emotion for her. She wanted to be anywhere but here. She was so afraid of walking into Sam. As they walked over to the elevator, Mercedes had déjà vu. She couldn't deny she was tempted to push the 25-floor button but instead she pushed 14 and waited as the elevator moved. As they got to the office, Mr. Andrews walked out and ushered them into the room. He was a robust man with red hair and beard. He smiled as they sat down.

"I am sorry it took me so long to get you here we normally do this within the week of passing. To do it a month later is bad on my part. But in my defense, I wanted to wait until all the paperwork and legalities were done. I am Mr. Andrews and I represented your mother."

Mercedes sat up in her seat.

"Mr. Andrews I am sorry but I don't know why we are here. My mother didn't have anything of value. She sold it all so we could make it."

"Oh but your mother did. When your mother went to Shrines she asked my client Mrs. Evans where she could transfer all of her assets too."

He opened a folder.

"See let me explain. Your mother took out a life insurance policy for herself when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She also saved a few bonds her father gave to her. From the records she sent to me and her policy I would say you guys are looking at around 1.4 million."

Mercedes looked at him. "Dollars?"

"Yes. See your mother had a bond for each of you. And one for Angel as well. Let me show you something."

He took out a DVD and placed it into the player.

Mercedes glance at the woman on the screen and felt tears come to her eyes. She glanced as the kids and noticed the same thing. He mother looked so frail but happy.

"Hey babies. If you are watching this then I did not make it. Don't be sad. Everything happens for a reason. Margaret my sweet I am so proud of you. My hope is you will put some of your smarts together and make a difference in the world like I believe you can. You are a light in everyone's life. Don't forget that. Devon my baby boy. My favorite son you are a mothers dream. Handsome and strong and knows how to fight for what you want. Never lose that. And keep being the man I raised you to be. The girls are going to need you now more than ever and I believe you will live up to every expectation I have set for you. Because you already have.

And Angel my beautiful granddaughter. You put a smile on my face every time I think about you. You are just like your mother in so many ways. Enjoy your childhood don't grow up to fast. But when you do grow up, I know you're in great hands. Your mother has always made me proud as I am sure you will make her proud. She will always keep you safe in ways I couldn't do her. Last to my angel without wings, there were many times I didn't know how I would make it then you would look at me and I would know everything would be fine. The day you were born, I knew you were destined to be someone so special. Mercedes you have helped this family in too many ways to number. I am sorry things happened the way they did but I am so proud at the woman you have become. I have no doubt that Devon, Maggie and Angel will succeed because you are their role model.

We believe things happen for a reason. I believe that you are the glue that held this family together. And this family needs your strength now. I have wanted to say something to you about what happened for so long but I haven't had the nerve. When you were born, I knew you were meant for more than the life I could give you. Don't let one man ruin your life. Danger ruined years but not your life. He took something from you that I was never able to give you back. When you found Puck, I thought you had found it and even though I loved him like a son, I know that it didn't work out but I know the man of your dreams is out there. He may even be closer than you think in the form of a certain boss of yours.

Mercedes just because when I married for love it turned out badly doesn't mean it will for you. I believe Sam is a great man and you deserve great. So I will leave you with this. Mercedes be happy. Love hard or don't love at all. You are the star, Maggie is the light, Devon is the sky and Angel you are the child guided by them all. Be that to each other. I may be gone from this earth but I am with you always. I am so so so very proud of you guys and I love you all so much."

The DVD stopped and Mercedes looked around trying to regain her composure. Maggie wiped her eyes.

"Can we keep that? Just so we can see her?"

"Yeah you can that would be no problem."

"I want to thank you for helping us through this." Mercedes said trying to stop the tears.

"It's my job. We will be contacting you shortly with the details and the transfers."

"Ok thank you."

They walked out the office and Mercedes looked at Devon who was hugging Angel.

"She always knows what we need to hear doesn't she?"

Devon hugged her.

"Always."

As they walked to the elevator, Maggie wiped her tears away and the elevator doors opened. Quinn and Stevie smiled as they came face to face with Mercedes, Angel, Maggie, and Devon.

"Hey guys how are you."

Quinn hugged Mercedes as they entered the elevator.

"How are you holding up?"

Mercedes gave a soft smile. "I'm ok. Still a little sad but ok."

Quinn smiled.

"Are we still on for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah if you can bare being around me."

"I think I can manage."

Turning her attention to Stevie she let Angel push the buttom for the bottom floor. "Stevie how is everything at the Empire?"

"Well Sam's new assistant is nothing like you. She misspells things and is so lazy. She won't even bring me files."

"Awww I miss it if you can believe it."

"Well it misses you. Sam does too."

Mercedes sighed. "I wasn't thinking when I quit but I can always help out when you need it. I just needed that time away… he does?"

Stevie nodded. "He does. Very much so."

As the doors opened, Sam stood there with Kitty. She pulled him closer but he pulled away as he saw Mercedes.

"Mercedes how are you?"

Kitty smirked.

"You should've listened." She sang under her breath.

Mercedes stared at Sam then walked off the elevator. Kitty tried to hold him back but he went after her as everyone else stood back.

"Mercedes wait."

He caught up to her.

"Mercedes it's not what you think."

She shrugged. "I don't really care."

"Mercedes."

"I don't! I was just up here taking care of some business."

He moved closer to her.

"I miss seeing you here I miss being around you."

"Yeah well I am sure Kitty is taking good care of you."

Sam laughed bitterly. "Kitty and I are not together."

"Tell that to the article in last week's paper or what I just witnessed."

"That was a cheap photo opt by her. I don't want her."

"Well you don't want me I got to go." She said continuing to walk away. Sam followed her.

"Please talk to me."

"NO."

"Mercedes will you stop being so damn stubborn and just listen to me for a minute."

She stopped, shaking her head. "Sam will you stop being so damn annoying and leave me alone."

"Mercedes I love you please listen to me."

Mercedes looked at him tears brimming her eyes.

"I did listen to you. I loved you and I let me guard down I trusted you and look what happened."

"I said I was sorry. It was bad judgement on my part."

"And letting you in was bad judgement on mine."

She walked away and to the car noticing that somehow, the kids beat her to it. Stevie gave a sigh of frustration as Mercedes beeped the car and everyone got in.

"Mercedes you know he isn't dating her."

"It doesn't really matter now does it?"

"I guess not. Did you get the flowers we sent?"

"Yeah I got the flowers and I also got the gifts and cards from your brother. He seems to be doing really well for himself."

"Yeah I guess so. Did you mean it when you said you can come back?"

"I don't know if I can see him every day Stevie… I can help but not be there working…now that I have the money I think I am going to go back to school."

Quinn smiled.

"You're going to finish your degree?"

"Yes I am. But…I think I am going to change my major."

"That is great. I am so proud of you…I know your mom is too."

Mercedes nodded. "Thanks…well we have to get going."

Stevie patted Devon on the back. "Devon am I still picking you up for practice tonight?"

"Yeah if you don't mind, with Mercedes dropping the girls off at their friends and then hanging with Quinn I don't think I'd have a ride."

"I don't mind at all."

Quinn hugged Maggie and Angel. "You girls are coming to the picnic right?"

"Yes mom said she was going to pick us up for it tomorrow."

"Great."

Mercedes shut the door and turned to Quinn. "Speaking of that I want to thank you for allowing Fran to come with the girls."

"It's not a problem."

"So I will see you at 6?"

"Yes ma'am."