Author's Note: I am so sorry everyone for such a long delay in posting a chapter. You know that is not like me; but work has been crazy lately. Everybody pray for me I may be getting a promotion. It would be a big one too; so I am really kind of excited! I am back in school too so please have some compassion on poor me. I will try to do better if I can; but if I have longer delays then I used to, please know that I promise to finish the story (I don't like leaving things hanging) so no worries. Thanks again for your patience and remember to check my tumbler page for any pictures which might pertain to this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of its characters.
The Beholder's Eyes
Chapter 25
Mercedes: I'm sorry but what did you just say?
Carole and Sam started speaking simultaneously.
Carole: I said that we made the decision to come back here after Burt had a bout with…
Sam: I asked if you would like another drink.
Sam, Burt, & Carole began laughing.
Mercedes: No, Carole I'm sorry not you. (Mercedes gave a quick smile) Sam? Umm, can I speak to you for a minute please? Alone.
Sam: Sure baby. You're not looking so good.
Mercedes: I think I could use some air it's a little warm in here.
Sam: Ok. (Speaking to Mercedes then he turns his attention to Burt) Burt, I guess we will take a rain check on that second drink but if you guys are willing to meet us here in the morning maybe we can make a day of it. We members of the Tahitian engagement club have to stick together. (Sam showed his signature lopsided grin)
Burt: That sounds great what do you think dear?
Carole: That would be lovely if Mercedes is feeling up to it.
Mercedes: Oh, of course that would be fine. I think I am just a little tired from the long flight and all the excitement. Tomorrow will be better.
Burt: Well you guys sleep in and we will meet here for a late breakfast around nine-thirty.
Sam: Fine, I know just what we can do; make sure you bring your swimming gear along with a camera and we will see you then and nice meeting you.
Carole: You too and again congratulations. (She beamed)
Burt: Yeah Ditto.
Sam helped Mercedes out of her chair and they began walking again along the beach headed back to their bungalow.
Sam: (Sam sighed) You really do have an issue with eating in new places don't you? Well one good thing about being married to you is that I will definitely lose some weight because we never get to eat. (He laughed)
Mercedes: Sam why didn't you tell me?
Sam: Tell you what?
Mercedes: I overheard what you told Burt about the Jack Daniels Company.
Sam: Okay.
Mercedes: So why didn't you ever mention that to me before?
Sam: Didn't I? (Sam reached for, and held, her hand as they walked along the beach)
Mercedes: No, Sam. I would have remembered that! I know that you said you were living off of the interest of a familial inheritance but …..
Sam: I am – what's the matter? (Sam waits due to a lengthy pause given to him by Mercedes then he speaks again) Mercy?
Mercedes: (After the lengthy pause) When would you like for me to meet with them? (She spoke in a rather matter-of-fact and resigned tone)
Sam: We are meeting up with Burt and Carole in the morning remember around 9:30 am.
Mercedes: Not them Sam.
Sam: Then who? Mercy, I'm sorry but you've seemed to have lost me somewhere between here and the restaurant. What are you talking about?
Mercy: Your lawyers Sam; for the pre-nup agreement.
Sam winced and then stopped walking and since they were holding hands this made Mercedes stop as well.
Sam: We just got engaged less than forty minutes ago and you are already preparing for our divorce?
Mercedes: No, I would not want to divorce but… I know you may have been too embarrassed to bring it up so I am just saying that I will meet with them whenever you want and sign whatever you would like -that's all.
Sam continued to look at Mercedes even though it was becoming darker and darker outside. By this time they could barely see each other, and even that was in silhouette, on this strip of the beach between the two well-lit destinations on either side.
Sam: I wouldn't be too embarrassed to bring it up. (He said rather bluntly)
Mercedes: Oh. (Mercedes spoke quietly as she lowered her head a little)
Sam: (Sam reached out his hand and lifted her chin and looked in her eyes) But, there was just no need to bring it up. What's mines is yours.
Mercedes: Sam let's be realistic. People like you would need to….
Sam: People like me? (He said as he let go of her face)
Mercedes: Sam you know what I mean.
Sam: Mercy, you have to forgive me because I am a little confused here. I asked you to marry me here on this very beach; didn't I? Why would I do that if I wasn't willing to share my life with you – all of it, even the money?
Mercedes: I do not doubt that; you have never been anything but generous to me but, it's all just a bit overwhelming Sam. I would rather just sign it than to risk you thinking that your money had anything to do with my decision to marry you.
Sam: Have you ever seen or heard of me before the day you came into my office for that job interview?
Mercedes: No, of course not.
Sam: Didn't you just say, that you didn't know about the company until just now?
Mercedes: Yes.
Sam: Then why would I think that you were after my money? Hell, you had already turned my mother down when she offered you money; in her asinine attempt to get you to leave me. Did I ever tell you how much I loved you for that by the way?
Mercedes: Sam … I just want you to know that I am willing to sign it just so that we are clear. I don't….
Sam: No… I don't. I don't need or want you to sign anything Mercy; except for the marriage license. You don't have to worry because I trust in you, and I trust in us, and I trust that we will have a great long lasting marriage; now enough about all that. (He leaned in and kissed her forehead) Since your monetary concerns trumped me meeting my need for food (as Sam's stomach growls), and your hair care routine robbed me of swimming on our first afternoon here. I know what we can do.
He said as he starts to pull her quickly up the coastline
Mercedes: What? (She starts speed walking to keep up with him)
Sam: I would like very much to make love to my new fiancé.
Mercedes: Sam….
Sam: Mercedes… (He smiled)
Mercedes let go of his hand. Sam stopped and looked at her.
Mercedes: Then you're moving too slowly. (She smiled and then took off into a sprint)
Sam: Oh, you think so huh? (He called after her and took off running this time)
They laughed as they continued to race up the beach back to the bungalow.
XXXXX
The next morning after breakfast Sam had ordered a picnic lunch prepared for four to take with them and he had a cab meet them all at the restaurant. The scenery was just so vibrant with colors as the cab took the winding roads through the island; off to a destination Sam was almost too giddy to show them all. The cab eventually drove up to this clearing and Mercedes started to feel slight panic in her heart.
Burt: Oh man! This is a great idea, isn't Carole.
Carole: You have always wanted to do this haven't you Burt. Sam I think you just made his day.
Burt: You mean he just made my life!
Sam: Great! I am glad you approve. What do you think Mercy?
Mercy: Don't you remember what I am always telling you Sam.
Sam starts laughing you will be fine! Burt immediately produces his camera and begins snapping pictures. The cab stops and Sam pays the driver and gives him a time to meet them this afternoon and they all exit the car.
Mercedes can feel herself becoming slightly dizzy at the thought and then Sam grabs her hand and pulls her forward with him. Mercedes throat begins to dry and tighten slightly as soon as Sam speaks again.
Sam: Make sure to duck down a little so the blades don't hit your head.
Sam continues to walk over to the helicopter for a tour of the island from the air.
Mercedes: Sam you know I have already seen the view from the air from the pictures in the dining area you know those pamphlets by the desk.
Sam: Oh, C'mon you're going to love it.
Sam reaches out his hand and helps Carole in the helicopter and Burt follows her right behind. Sam then steps up in the helicopter and reaches back to help Mercedes inside.
Mercedes: Sam I don't know about this.
Sam: Trust me I have done this before. Besides I want to take you to my favorite place in the whole world; second only, to standing next to you.
Mercedes then swallowed hard reached out her hand and climbed into the helicopter once they were all strapped in. The pilot took the helicopter high above the island. Mercedes had such a grip on Sam's arm as she sat next to him with her eyes mainly closed most of the time. She would open them to a squint whenever Sam tried to point something out to her but quickly shut them again. Burt continued to take pictures from the window in the helicopter door as well as take pictures of them inside the copter.
Burt: Ha, ha; Sam this was a great idea! Mercedes you are missing everything open your eyes!
Burt took another picture of them all sitting in the helicopter. Mercedes could tell because she heard the flash go off inside the copter. The height bothered her but the noise from the rotary blades above her head scared her the most. She listened out for any sound of irregularity. Not that she actually knew what noise would be considered irregular.
Carole: Burt now stop; no teasing, Mercedes - she's just a little nervous that's all. It will be alright dear as Carole rubbed Mercedes arm.
Mercedes: (Suddenly screamed) THANK YOU CAROLE!
They all looked at Mercedes and then Sam whispered in her ear.
Sam: You don't have to scream we can all hear you.
Mercedes: Over the blades? (She spoke in a normal tone now)
Sam: Yes, even over the blades.
Mercedes suddenly grabbed on even tighter to Sam's arm because the helicopter started to make its decent.
Carole: Sam this is lovely.
Burt: We were lucky to meet this guy huh Carole; we would have never found this place on our own.
Mercedes wants to open her eyes but the rapidly descending feeling that she is getting in the pit of her stomach won't allow it. Mercedes notices that the air feels quite a bit thinner and the smells she has become so used to from the greenery around the island has become even more pronounced. The helicopter touches ground and she lets out a sigh of relief. She can feel a spray of mist in the air and she finally opens her eyes and she can see a waterfall off in the distance.
Sam quickly unbuckles and jumps out of the helicopter and Mercedes needs no help to quickly allow her feet to touch the ground; she scrambles out of the seatbelt and out of the copter. Once Burt and Carole are out as well Burt immediately starts to take more pictures.
Sam: We have to walk a little from here but we should be there in about fifteen minutes. Then we can change and go swimming at the bottom of the falls.
Burt: I'm game let's go Carole the sooner we get there the sooner I can play Tarzan to your Jane! (He slaps her on the behind and she begins walking faster)
Carole: Burt you're embarrassing them. (She giggled as she moved even quicker)
Burt: They should hope that they are still as attracted to each other as we are all these years into our marriage. But then again I suppose we'd have to be. I am so sorry hon.' you were not lucky enough to marry a plastic surgeon who could fix you up when you get older; if you wanted.
Carole: Yes, Mercedes that was a wise move on your part.
Before Mercedes could reply to Carole's last comment; Sam spoke.
Sam: I wouldn't ever change a thing about Mercedes whether she thought that she wanted me to or not. I am looking quite forward to us growing old and wrinkly together. (Sam moved in and kissed her quickly on her cheek)
Carole: Oh that was so sweet. (To Mercedes) He was a wise move on your part. (Carole winked and bumped her hip into Mercedes' hip) Burt why don't you say sweet things like that to me!
Burt: I said I would be your Tarzan didn't I?
Carole: Oh that just means you are going to beat on your chest and want me to bring you some food.
Burt: That is when we are home not out here.
Sam snickered.
Mercedes slapped him on his arm.
Sam: We are almost there. You two can go and change right on the other side of those trees over there and Mercy and I will change a few feet away in those trees over there.
After changing Sam, Carole and Burt jumped into the water and started swimming.
Carole: This water is so warm it's so therapeutic.
Burt: Just like those spa treatments that you like so much.
Carole: Yes, now you know where your money goes.
Burt: The way to keep a marriage going Sam is to just go with it. If you can keep them happy you have a better chance at peace in the home.
Carole splashed some water in his face.
Burt: See Sam, you just go with it. Speaking of marriage aren't we missing your bride-to-be?
Sam: She should be coming in a few minutes she just has a few things to take care of first.
Sam then dives underwater and then pops back up his hair not a wet dark brown as he moves his hands and slicks his hair backwards away from his face.
Sam: Here she comes now wearing a "Finding Nemo" swimming cap? (Sam words grew progressively slower)
Mercedes runs in and jumps into the water and swims over to the others.
Carole: Oh I think it's cute.
Burt and Sam look at each other and Burt just hunches his shoulders.
Burt: Keep em' happy.
Burt dives underwater himself and comes slowly back up.
Mercedes: So what did I miss?
Carole: Sam was just saying what a cute swim cap you are wearing.
Mercedes: Oh that. I know that it seems silly for a grown woman to wear this but when I first moved out to Los Angeles. I was feeling kind of lonely and I started walking around my neighborhood one evening trying to acclimate myself and I saw a store that actually sold it for adults. I started to cry right then; my mother died when I was eighteen but when I was small she used to take me to the lake and teach me how to swim. Once I got a cut on my leg when I was about 6 or 7 from some tree branches that made up part of this small dam and I was in such pain and started to panic I started sinking and my mother saved my life. When she took me home that night when she was putting me to bed she told me that she could find me in the dark water because of my "Nemo" swimming cap. She said that if ever I was lost and afraid no matter where, anywhere in the world, she would be able to find me with my "Nemo" cap. I know it was silly but I did feel lost and afraid when I first came to L.A. so when I saw it in the shop I took it as a sign from her and I bought it right away. (Mercedes chuckled) I wore it around my apartment for about two weeks.
Carole: I think that was very sweet. I don't think that was silly at all.
Sam: Neither do I (Sam reached out through the water and held her hand)
Burt: That cap is not silly! I am!
Burt swam over and dunked Mercedes underwater. Mercedes popped up in time to see Sam dive underwater and then suddenly Burt was lifted up in the air and tossed backwards into the water. Sam then resurfaced, as he did, Carole continually began to splash water at Sam while Burt resurfaced laughing.
Burt: You're strong!
Sam: (Trying to turn away from the rapidly splashing water) Yeah, well she's loyal!
Carole: That is right Sam. I've always got Burt's back. (She said while still splashing)
Mercedes: Well I've got Sam's front!
Mercedes swam over to Carole and grabbed one leg and kept swimming. So under the water Carole went. When Mercedes resurfaced pulling Carole behind her they had moved a considerable distance from the guys. Carole came out of the water coughing.
Mercedes: Are you okay?
Carole: I'm fine. So much so that I'll race you back.
Carole took off swimming and Mercedes quickly started in after her.
The women resurfaced next to the men at the same time.
The sun was shining high over head and it was incredibly warm. The water felt refreshing as they all splashed around and swam. Sam dunked himself under water again but when he came up this time and slicked his hair back down Burt was the first to speak up.
Burt: Sam what happened to you? What are those little scars from?
Carole: Burt! Don't be rude!
Burt: Oh, I am sorry Sam. I sometimes forget myself that is why Carole here is good for me. No offense.
Sam: None taken. I was in a car accident years ago and had to have plastic surgery afterwards that is what the scars are from.
Burt: You don't say. Wow, you don't really have any scars at all huh?
Sam: The biggest scars where mainly on my mind and in my heart until Mercy came and cured them all. I will tell you she is a much better doctor than I am.
Mercedes: Sam…
Sam: Mercedes…
Burt: Well let me know when you open up your practice to us regular people Mercedes.
Carole: I think she is enjoying the private practice much better; aren't you Mercedes?
Mercedes: You're right I am.
After they continued to swim for a few hours and the sun had moved from the east to the west in the sky. Sam swam over to Mercedes and grabbed her hand again. He pulled her under the water and they swam together with Sam leading the way. They swam a few more feet and then he led her up to the top of the water. When she resurfaced, Mercedes looked around and found herself alone with Sam in a cave on the other side of the waterfall. Sam pointed and she could see the sunlight glistening off of the waterfall as it slid down in sheets hitting the water with spray below. Sam swam pulling her close to him along the rocks at the back of the cave and then they sat down in the water with her nestled between his legs, her back leaning on his chest, he wrapped his arms around her and the water surrounded their shoulders as they watched the light show as it played across the dark walls of the cave as it reflected off the water.
Sam then whispered in her ear
Sam: This is where I wanted to propose to you. I was going to tell you that my falling in love with you is as constant as this waterfall; and like this waterfall, which will never stop falling; I know that my falling for you would never stop either.
Mercedes: Oh Sam…it would have been beautiful, but no matter what, it was a perfect proposal.
Sam: It was perfect only because you said yes. (Sam started kissing her on her neck and quickly moved to the spot behind her left ear)
Mercedes: Sam…. play fair because Burt and Carole are on the other side of this waterfall.
Sam: (Sam stopped kissing her) They're a nice couple, aren't they?
Mercedes: They seem to still really enjoy each other's company.
Sam: Well if he feels about her the way I feel about you; it should be easy to do even after all those years.
Mercedes: (Smiling to herself for a few minutes) When would you like to set the date? Do you like spring, summer, winter or fall; maybe?
Sam: Do you have any preference?
Mercedes: No, I'm easy.
Sam: That's what you think! It took me a long time to get you to say yes to me.
Mercedes: Well I'm here now so you survived it.
Sam: Barely. (He nibbled at her neck again) You're sure you don't have any preference at all?
Mercedes: No, none so you can decide.
Sam: Would you say that again please but this time a little louder.
Mercedes: Sam you are so silly. I said you can choose.
Sam: Fine, my choice! (He said confidently as he wrapped his arms around her even tighter) Let's see spring, summer, winter or fall? I think I like…I think I like…. in five days.
Please Review- Thanks Anna