*Look what the cat dragged in: Me. I apologise for the very late update, this was supposed to go out at Christmas, as promised, but I have had the most stressful xmas break filled with revision that I could not bring myself to write anything good. Long story short, enjoy and please let me know how goes. I own nothing from Glee, or any other TV show/book/Movie mentioned here.*
Chapter 32: A Jones Christmas Special
"Guys, will someone get the door, I'm cleaning up the mess you made." Mercedes yelled, before grumbling to herself;
"How on Earth did we get through so much paper?"
The bell rung again.
"Jack the door" April spoke, as she carefully checked on the turkey.
"Santana, door!" Jack shouted, as he was mid helping April-and by help he was just sat on the counter sneakily eating, as April frantically flapped around the turkey.
The bell rung again.
"I'm busy...Mercy door" Santana screamed from the bathroom, where she was mid perfecting her eyeliner.
The bell rung again, this time accompanied by a slow knock.
"Guys, the door" Mercedes repeated once again and when she realised no one had moved she finally decided to drop the torn wrapping paper she had been picking up from the living area and headed towards the door.
"So you are home" Sam responded cheekily, as Mercy opened the door.
"Yeah, sorry about that, the others all seemed to have disappeared..."
Mercedes suddenly stopped, as Sam fished out a piece of tinsel from her hair.
"You already started the party without me?" He asked quietly, pouting deliberately to elicit a small laugh from Mercedes.
"No, Jack just decided to open one of the Christmas crackers that he is SO excited about, early. I guess I must have been in the firing line." Mercedes half laughed.
"Mercy!"
Mercedes heard her name bellowed by April and just as she was about to dart of in the direction of the noise, Sam quickly pulled her closer, spinning her around he dipped his head so that there was barely any space between their faces and added in a decided husky tone;
"You look beautiful."
Mercedes had barely any time to respond when she felt Sam's lips on her own.
"Hi, Trouty, bye Trouty" Santana spoke quickly as she dashed passed them, buttoning her coat.
"Hey Satan..." Sam looked at Mercedes confused,
"She's not staying for lunch, she'll be back later." Mercedes responded to the confused look on Sam's face.
"Oh," Sam replied, trying to play down his joy.
It wasn't that he disliked Santana, it was just that she was a bit much to deal with.
Mercedes, who was all too acquainted with all of Sam's expression, couldn't help but smirk too, knowing full well what Sam had been thinking.
"Ah, there you are Merce, Hi Sam." Jack had just rushed out of the kitchen, as though he had been pushed out.
"Hi Jack," Sam replied.
"Mercy, April has just barred me from the kitchen and she needs your help."
"I did warn you, although if it is any consolation you've made a whole hour longer than I ever did." Mercedes replied back as she headed to the kitchen, but chuckling along the way as she heard some of the conversation between Jack and Sam.
"Cool jumper," Jack now examined Sam's jumper more closely;
"It's glows in the dark." Sam responded nodding his head proudly;
"No way, seriously? I have to see that."
"What's so funny" April asked as Mercy opened the kitchen door,
"Nothing, I'm just laughing at the dorks out there." She responded pulling herself together.
"So what do you need me for?"
"Taste this" April instantly replied.
"Whoa," Mercedes managed before she felt April shove the spoon in her mouth.
"Ok so first, I nearly choked..." April merely rolled her eyes at her sister before urging her on;
"So..."
"Second, that is absolutely gorgeous," Mercedes replied, savouring the taste.
"Really?" April asked unsure.
"Yes! Really. You really get the kick of the Paprika."
April's mouth stretched into a huge smile.
"Thank you." She practically screamed, throwing her hands up in the air in her dramatic fashion.
"See this is why I needed you in the kitchen and not Jack. Only you would be able to tell what I added." She reasoned as she took the spoon from Mercy.
"So, why was I banned from helping you then?" Mercedes responded cheekily,
"When did I do that?" April replied back as she picked up the potatoes and headed towards the door.
Mercedes stood there gaping after her;
"Are you for real?" she spoke as April returned;
"Don't just stand there gaping like a fish Mercy, get a move on. Lunch is served."
"Jack will you just carve it already." April protested.
"A, this requires patience..."
But before he could finish, April forced his hand;
"There all done, Sam what would you like?"
"April that was a good one." Sam added wiping away a tear;
"My turn my turn," Jack laughed eagerly as he pulled another cracker, but this time with Mercy.
"Yes I win a paper crown." Mercedes spoke as she punched the air, retrieving her prize she quickly put it on.
"Ok here comes the joke, ready?" Jack asked as he unfolded the small parchment.
"Knock Knock"
"Who's there?" Sam asked eagerly;
"Mary."
"Mary, who?"
Jack sprawled a huge grin on his face before speaking through failed attempts at suppressing his own laughter;
"Mary Christmas, that's who,"
April rolled her eyes, shaking her head at her husband, while Mercedes could not help but laugh. Not at the joke, but at the way both Jack and Sam were howling in laugher.
"Really guys?" April asked
"C'mon A that was hilarious, such a great PUN." Jack responded, while April shook her head, suppressing her own growing grin.
"Me next!" Sam added quickly
Pulling the next cracker, he picked up his new awarded blue whistle, blowing it a couple of times before he turned to Mercy who had unfolded the joke;
"Ok, I have a couple here;" Mercedes scanned the list before her;
"You'll like this Sam; what do you call a kid who doesn't believe in Santa?"
"What?"
"A Rebel without a clause."
Sam began to laugh;
"I am so texting that to Stace."
"Oh and this one, Jack I feel you would appreciate it; what do you call Santa's helpers?"
"I dunno, Mercy what do you call Santa's helpers?" Jack asked
"Subordinate clauses." Mercedes grinned back, as she watched Jack laugh whole heartily.
"I am so using that at work next time. On that note I've got a great one I heard at work;"
"What do you call a can wearing a Christmas hat..and April don't say anything."
Clearly Jack was about to repeat one of his classics.
"Merce any ideas? How about you Sam?"
"Nope we don't know," Sam responded;
"Ok well here it is, the absolute zinger; 'A Merry Can' get it, get it? A merry can. American" Jack bellowed.
The others turned to look at Jack;
"Seriously where is your sense of humour?" Jack added seriously.
"Somewhere very far from that joke." April replied back straight faced before adding;
"Time for pudding I think."
"Every year?" Sam asked clearly intrigued. His eyes twinkled, as Mercy saw his smile stretch.
They had been clearing the table together. Truthfully Sam was just looking for an excuse to spend some alone time with Mercy. She was looking incredibly beautiful but more than that, it was her smile, they way she was laughing today, the way she moved that made Sam's heart melt further. Mercedes was truly and completely happy and Sam loved that he was a part of that.
"Yep, every year." Mercedes replied back.
"Even last year, after the wedding, A and I headed back to my room and watched Bambi."
There was a long running tradition in the Jones household that late afternoon, after dinner, was movie marathon time. It had been started by their parents, so as to provide them with some alone and quiet time, but over the years it had become a tradition, one which neither Mercy or April never let go of, even if that meant sneaking away from the wedding reception early.
"Mercy, Sam, we're all set up, come on." April yelled, before Sam could question Mercy on what movie-what Disney movie, as per tradition they would watch today.
"Ok so naturally I can't play, so I'll be spinning for all of you and if I don't like what the verdict is, I might just manipulate the situation for my own pleasure." April spoke with a devilish smile.
"I hope you all have stretched out well." She continued with a glint her eye before saying;
"Left foot red, Jack."
"Right hand green, Sam."
"Left hand yellow, Mercy."
"Ok I don't know about anyone else but I am certainly feeling the turkey burn off now." Jack added as he carefully weaved his arm through Mercy's to touch the spot.
"Good," April added enjoying twister, far too much.
"Mercy, left hand red."
Mercedes slowly lifted her hand edging it forward, this wasn't going to be awkward at all, especially not since they were all tipsy now. April especially, despite not having drunk any alcohol at all. She made a mental note to 'lose' twister-may be cut it up with scissors-the fine details of the plan were not yet thought out. But one thing was certain this game was going to be struck of the games list next year, just like Mercedes had already succeeded to 'misplace' the pieces to monopoly following the great tantrum of 09, as it came to be known, when Santana had lost, Jack had been sent to jail, Mercy mortgaged all her properties while April sat there literally rolling around in her money.
"Ok right hand yellow," April announced
Sam hopped on the spot as he bent over to place his right hand on yellow.
"I'm so glad you said yellow and not red." Sam remarked noting the extremely comprised position he and Jack would otherwise have been in and further smiling at how he was now practically perching over Mercy.
"Ok Jack, left leg green."
Jack moved with ease, despite his extremely tall stature. He was indeed very flexible, it is what made him and April very good at this game both with their slender long limbs could easily weave in and out, much to Mercedes chagrin. But it was true; April had gotten her height from their father, while Mercy was petite like their mother.
"And, Mercy..." But whatever April was about to say got cut off my Sam's stomach howling.
"Damn, that was not nearly as slick as I was hoping it would go."
"Like music to my ears, let's eat again. This game has really tired me out." April announced.
April and Jack's eyes darted from Mercy to Sammy as they continued to watch Sam, fire quotes at Mercedes, who responded back immediately with the name of the movie.
"Notting Hill" Mercy replied back confidently.
"You and I are such similar creatures Vivian. We both screw people over for money."
"Pretty woman" Mercedes practically sang.
"Love means never having to say you're sorry"
"Love story."
The smirk on Sam's face continued to grow at each correct response. He couldn't help but mentally congratulate himself. Sure he was on the rival team and no doubt April was probably all out for Mercy's blood now, after all how possibly could a 'I hate rom-coms' individual be so on the ball with all these questions? But truthfully Sam could not help but beam, yeah he did think this new found appreciation romantic movies was his doing but Sam was also well aware of the response he would get from Mercy if he said that out loud.
Of course Mercedes would out right deny it, deny that she was becoming a fellow rom-com junkie who couldn't help but urge Jamie on to find his Aurelia, she'd slap his arm, and deny it all, even though Sam had caught her smile at the end of Sleepless in Seattle.
"An affair to remember" She was right again. Mercedes could hear April groan. Jack and Mercedes were definitely going to win now.
"What if this is as good as it gets?"
"Really Sam, you're asking that?" April raised her eyebrow,
"What it's legit on the card." Sam responded back trying to appear innocent, as he showed April the card in his hand.
April shook her head hard at him:
"You can do the whole butter-won't-melt-in-your-mouth and cute puppy thing, but just don't forget which team you're on!"
"Suck it up A; and the answer Sammy is 'As good as it gets'." Mercedes responded back.
"But..." But April was cut off my Sam's next quote:
"Destiny is something we've invented because we can't stand the fact that everything that happens is accidental."
"Sleepless in Seattle-Thank you wonderful Mr Hanks" Mercedes announced thinking back to how beautiful she had found that story-luckily Sam had not noticed how much she had enjoyed the end and for that she was grateful after all she had a reputation to maintain.
"But you know, the thing about romance is...people only get together right at the very end."
"Love actually, too easy. By the cutie Sam himself."
"Why thank you Mercy" Sam responded.
"No I wasn't talking about you..." Mercedes noticed Sam and Jack chuckle so she quickly added;
"Never mind, move on, next quote."
"Well, as far as I'm concerned, the Internet is just another way of being rejected by women."
"True story bro" Jack interjected, nodding his head at Sam.
Mercedes laughed before adding: "You've got mail. Clearly something Jack never gets."
"Well yeah, because it's called Post not mail besides carrier pigeons is the way to go."
April added swiftly looking coyly at Jack
"Yeah cute little pigeon's right? till they crap on you though."
April and Mercedes cracked up, remembering the unfortunate incident with the turtle dove that had been released at Jack's brother's wedding. For some reason Mercy knew Jack hadn't quite fully forgiven Nate yet.
"Yeah pick on the Brit why don't you? It's because I'm so smooth isn't it?"
"Seriously Jack?" Mercedes asked, raising her eyebrow at him.
"Yeah, Central Park must really frighten you" Sam added, having already heard the story from Mercedes.
"Et Tu Sam?" Jack responded looking forlorn.
"Just when I thought you and I had such a blossoming bromance...guess Tana is the only one I can rely on."
"Yeah she truly is your 'BRO'" Mercedes added sarcastically before urging Sam on.
"We're winning, kicking your butts mind you, so let's just get on with it!"
"Now now, Mercy pride before fall." Sam added.
"Exactly...are you listening April. You are about to fall."
April scoffed as Sam began to read the last quote:
"How about this way? I love that you get a cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love..."
Sam was interrupted by Mercedes who rattled off the quote with such accuracy;
"...that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts..."
Mercedes and Sam's eyes were locked into each other, as though no one else mattered or even existed for that matter; let alone that they were sat in Mercy's living room with April and Jack.
"... I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes..."
"...And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night." Sam finished the quote, his eyes shining with such love that Mercedes didn't even care that her cheeks were a visible red thanks to her notorious blushing.
Jack leaned in closer to April muttering in a hushed voice
"Is this some form of American courtship ritual?"
"I'm beginning to wonder myself." April responded while both her and Jack's eyes remained statically on Sam and Mercedes who continued being oblivious to their surroundings.
"When Harry met Sally." Mercedes finished. Her shy smile lingering before it grew into a cocky grin as she added:
"And you may as well announce Jack and I as winners because for the bonus point's-which we don't need by the way-Harry say's that line."
"Booyah!" Jack shouted punching the air;
"And that's how you do it" He added before he and Mercedes fist bumped each other.
"Bonus points? For that? Mercy everyone knows that!" April added her wounded pride stinging.
"Not everyone, I didn't until recently" Mercedes fought back.
Sam couldn't help but lean casually back on the sofa at hearing that. Clearly Mission Mercy was complete. But Sam's bliss was short lived as he felt April punch him in the arm.
"Ow! what was that for?" He asked rubbing his arm; clearly April's long limbs, worked in her favour.
"I'm blaming you for this." April replied huffily.
"Now, now sweetheart we're not about to sulk are we?" Jack spoke.
"What was that?" April asked coolly , her eyes very narrow;
"Oh I was just saying, my beautiful, intelligent, kind, and sensitive adorable..."
"Yeah that's what I thought" April interrupted satisfied before punching Sam again.
"Argh why?" Sam added this time actually jumping out of his seat and perching on the arm rest. He was actually now becoming slightly afraid.
"I thought we had it in the bag when you announced their category was romantic movie quotes. But NO. You just had to show Mercy all the movies. And I mean all. Who the hell remembers the exact quote from Sleepless in Seattle? Who?"
April threw her arms up in the air
"Well it's not that hard..." Mercy was cut off as April turned to her:
"And you, I have begged and begged for you to watch Love Actually with me, and you always say the same thing and now you bloody quote it."
Sam couldn't help but grin, but quickly stopped realising that he was still within reach for April.
Indeed fifteen minutes ago it truly had looked as though Sam and April would win, April had breezed through her geography topic and Sam was more than elated at his topic:
"Disney songs." Jacked laughed as he announced Sam's category.
"Merce we so have it in the bag," Jack spoke so proudly,
But Mercy could see the way Sam's eyes had lit up, and more than that, she had shuffled through his iTunes and lo and behold it was full with Disney music. In the meantime Jack miserably sat through his topic of microbiology,
"I'm a lawyer, the closest I get to microbiology is patents and even then not so much. For some bizarre reason Apple and Samsung seem more interested in telecommunications."
But nonetheless luck indeed was on TeamJercy- as Jack had coined it- side.
"I'm back!" Santana came noisily through the front door, to see the group mid Pictionary;
"COOKIE" Sam yelled, while Mercedes clapped;
"Yes."
"That's not fair, I said biscuit." Jack groaned as April handed Jack the pen.
"Too bad Jack, it's a cookie, as it says so on the card." Mercedes replied cockily
"You do realise Mercy, that Cookie and Biscuit are the same thing right..." Jack asked as he looked at the card Sam had picked.
"Got it?" Sam queried.
"Yup." Jack replied.
"Ok, 3, 2, 1, go." April counted.
"Erm guys, HELLO" Santana yelled;
"Oh hey Sanatana, how was your..." Santana quickly cut April off, but Mercedes had noticed.
"Actually, yeah where did you go?" Mercedes asked while she watched carefully as Sam continued drawing.
"April this is really good, anymore left?" Santana tried to change the topic and headed to the kitchen.
"The beach." April yelled,
Jack and Sam continued drawing;
"Fish," Mercedes added; watching Sam's hand carefully
"Water...sea..." April began to brainstorm, while Jack encouraged, clearly they were close.
But Mercedes was interested in the particular figure that Sam was now drawing, there was something striking about it, and it was only when Sam put the last touch that it all made sense;
"Finding Nemo."
"YES!" he yelled as he and Mercedes hugged.
"Ok I'm officially done with this game," Jack responded.
"Sore loser?" Mercedes asked innocently;
"Why yes, yes I am. You can't pitch me against the modern day Picasso and then expect me to do well. Have you seen his drawings they are that good." Jack half mused.
"Picasso? I would have said Van Gogh, but ok" Sam whispered to Mercedes, who punched him slightly in the stomach as she suppressed her laughter, as they both began to clear up the coffee table.
"So, Trouty," Santana began as she came out of the kitchen with a plate full of food;
"Bambi or Lion King?"
Clearly Santana had said something very important, as Sam felt three pair of eyes look at him, while Santana smirked evilly.
"Santana that's not fair..." Mercy began, but was cut across;
"What I'm just curious to know which movie Trouty prefers...nothing big." She winked as she put more food into her mouth.
Jack slapped Sam on his back encouragingly, while his expression lay hard to read:
"It's the infernal question in the Jones household, choose wisely my friend, it can be deal breaker."
As soon as Santana had asked, Sam had known which to go with. He truthfully had been pretty confident about his decision. That was until now. Until Jack had spoken.
"Erm," Sam nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
"I think..." He paused, they all watched him carefully, Santana's eyes had narrowed while Jack held his breath.
Sam avoided looking at Mercedes, even though for some reason he felt as though he could read her mind as if she was urging him on. Sam took a deep breath, flashing his crooked smile he spoke clearly;
"The Lion King."
April laughed picking up the DVD and placing into the player, Jack sighed in relief while Santana slyly responded,
"Looks like the two of you picked the right sisters." Before adding in a low whisper so only Mercy could hear;
"He's a keeper." But before Mercedes could turn to look at Santana she had gone to take her place beside April on the couch.
*Till next time ;) *