"Sammy? Wake up, dear."
Sam's eyes blinked open and it took him a minute to remember where he was until everything came rushing back to him. He looked up towards the voice and his eyes focused on his mother causing him to let out a relieved breath. "Mama." He moved carefully around Mercedes and sat up to wrap his arms around his mother.
Mercedes felt Sam move and opened her eyes in time to see him hug his mom. "Hi mom..." she said softly.
"Hi, my sweethearts," Mary replied as she ran her hands over Sam's hair.
Sam didn't want to let her go. If there was anyone in this world who always seemed to know how to fix everything, it was her. "I'm no good at this being a grown up thing, Ma," he muttered.
"I think you're both doing amazingly," Mary insisted.
Mercedes sighed. "I think maybe you and Sam should talk while I call the nurse to see if they can bring Hayden or if I can go see him...the C-section makes it hard to move."
Sam turned quickly, coming back into the moment. "I can go talk to them if you want. Sometimes it's faster if you go after them," he admitted. "And you should eat too."
Mercedes nodded. "Yeah that is true..." She turned towards Mary. "He is so adorable and precious... got his looks from his daddy."
"Maybe if his daddy got a really deep tan," Sam laughed. "I'll go find a nurse." He pressed a kiss to Mercedes' cheek before getting up from the bed and rubbing at his eyes.
Once Sam had left, Mary took Mercedes' hand. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"
Mercedes sighed. When Sam left she looked over to Mary. "I would say fine but I am too tired to lie." she said honestly.
Mary nodded in understanding. "Childbirth always takes a toll, no matter how it happens. But you've been through even more."
Mercedes glanced at the door. "I don't even remember it. One minute Sam and I were arguing and the next I am waking up finding out they delivered Hayden."
"Ah." Mary nodded slowly in understanding. "I'm guessing you two never actually resolved that argument either, did you?"
Mercedes shook her head. "No, its my fault too because I have been so jealous of him and Brittany, and now I think he might actually hate me..."
"Sweetheart, you could be running around with Brittany behind his back and he still wouldn't hate you," Mary insisted. "Probably wouldn't be too happy either, but he certainly wouldn't hate you. I don't think he's capable of it. He loves you far too much."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow but sighed. "I don't even know why I had that ridiculous thought. I don't even know why I felt like I had to say anything."
"Just because I know it's not true, doesn't mean you don't have the right to feel it," Mary reminded her. "Perception defines our reality after all. I got that one from Dr. Phil. It's probably not me you should be talking about it with though."
Mercedes nodded. "I guess you are right. I really didn't want to fight with him, just wanted him to know it looked bad. But he got mad. And I know we should talk but I don't wanna ruin this moment here."
"Sammy's never been one to take much notice of what other people are saying about him," Mary admitted. "Which can be good at some times and bad at others. And when I say 'other people' I mean people he doesn't know. What you think about him... well, he about lives and dies by that."
"Hello, Mama," the nurse greeted as she rolled Hayden in in his warming bed. "Someone's here to visit."
Mercedes nodded. "I won't take that for granted. I hope you know that. Because I care about what he thinks of me too. I just want him to be proud."
Mercedes smiled brightly as she saw her son. "Mom are you ready to meet your grandson?"
"Oh, you have no idea."
The nurse smiled as she picked up Hayden and laid him in Mercedes' arms. "There you go. I'll let you have some time with him. Give me a buzz if you need me."
"He's such a beauty," Mary whispered, leaning down to run her fingers along his arm.
"Thank you." Mercedes said to the nurse. She smiled down to Hayden. "You are even more beautiful then I remember last night. Oh I love you." She looked at Mary. "Did you want to hold him?"
"Oh, I'd love to." Mary wiped at her eyes, shaking her head. "Look at me, being a weepy old grandmother already." She took Hayden carefully and sat in the chair. "He is a tiny little thing, but so beautiful. Hello, darling. I'm your Nana."
Mercedes smiled watching Mary hold Hayden. "I wish I had my phone so I could take a picture."
"Oh..." Mary leaned to one side and pulled her phone out of her back pocket, handing it over to Mercedes. "Now I feel like a modern Nana," she joked, bouncing ever so slightly.
Taking the phone Mercedes took a few pictures of Mary and Hayden. "You guys look adorable together."
"That's all him," Mary insisted. "Yes, it is. You can claim all the adorableness."
Dwight walked in a moment later with a bag of food. "Delivery for the new Mama. Grilled cheese and tomato soup."
Mercedes laughed as Dwight walked in. "Food just on time. I am starving."
"Always happy to help." Dwight set the food on her tray and rolled it in front of her. He moved over to his wife and wrapped an arm around her, cooing over his grandson. "You're a lucky little man, you know that?"
Mercedes held up the phone taking a picture of the couple and smiled seeing it. She looked at Dwight. "Have you seen Sam?"
"He'll be up in just a minute. He's just, uh... taking care of a couple things," Dwight assured her with a small smile.
"Your daddy is always up to something," Mary told Hayden. "I bet you're gonna be just as mischievous."
Mercedes forced a smile trying to not worry so much. She took a bite of the grilled cheese. "This is so good, still warm and everything."
"I wrapped it real good. And the soup's in a thermos," Dwight assured her.
Sam appeared in the doorway quietly and leaned against the doorjamb, taking a moment to just watch all of his family together. He brought a hand up to his chest, feeling the way his heart beat just a little harder with emotion.
Mercedes nodded. "Thanks Dad." She said taking another bite. Looking at the door she noticed Sam. Their eyes met and she smiled softly at him, holding up her sandwhich for him.
Sam smiled brightly. "Good girl," he said as he stepped in further.
Dwight rubbed his wife's shoulder. "Why don't we give the family a few minutes alone. I know it's hard to let him go."
"Oh... yes. Okay," Mary agreed reluctantly, laying Hayden back in his bed. "We'll see you soon."
Mercedes smiled as they left. "Its about time for Hayden to eat, you want to feed him?" She said to Sam softly.
Sam nodded. "Yeah, I can do that. But I also have a little something for his mama." He turned and revealed a tote bag that had been slung over his arm, pulling out a bouquet of flowers and a wrapped box.
Mercedes blushed looking at him. "Sam..." she grabbed the flowers and beamed. "They are beautiful." She looked at tue wrapped box. "Ooohhh what is this?"
"I ordered your push present a couple weeks ago since we weren't exactly sure when our little guy would decide to come," Sam explained. "And while there wasn't technically any pushing, it's all semantics really. Anyway, my dad brought it from home this morning. A thank you for all the hard work you've done, bringing this perfect little thing into the world. And a reminder how much I love both of you."
Mercedes carefully unwrapped the gift and was taken back by it. She uncovered a white framed photo of Hayden's heartbeat and his name at the bottom in blue. Her eyes watered. "Sam..."
Sam just smiled lovingly as he watched her. He tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted it up so he could lean down and kiss her. "I love you so much. You and Hayden are... all that matters to me in this world. And you always will be."
Mercedes sniffed. "I love you too Sam, and I am so sorry, about everything."
Sam just shook his head, pressing his lips to her forehead. "You don't have anything to be sorry for," he told her. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I caused all that stress and almost..." He closed his eyes, taking a breath. "I need you, okay?"
"I saw something that wasn't there and let my emotions get the best of me. But we are okay, the baby is okay and you have me." She reached out for his hand. "I need you too."
Sam chewed at his lips and held tight to her hand, nodding slowly. "I was so scared I was gonna lose you," he admitted with a broken voice.
"You got us baby. And we are not going anywhere." Mercedes pointed her finger at him the beckoned him for a kiss.
Sam leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, lingering for as long as he could. "I love you so much," he whispered softly. Sitting back up, he sniffled and grabbed the bag again. "Oh, and... I'm not entirely sure how this is gonna go over. But Brittany... and her girlfriend, sent over a onesie for Hayden. It has unicorns on it." He pulled it out and laid it on the bed.
"I love you too." Seeing the onsie she smiled. "Brittany and her girlfriend... right...well its so cute though."
Sam let out a small sigh of relief that at least she wasn't angry about it. "It is pretty cute," he admitted.
"I will make sure we send them a card." She said as Hayden started to stir.
Sam tucked the onesie back into the bag and set the flowers on the windowsill where Mercedes could see them. He pushed the call button as he got up. "I'll have them bring his formula. They've been practicing getting him to eat on his own all night, but he's still having trouble."
Mercedes nodded. "Well we are just gonna have to help him. I dont wanna see him in a feeding tube again. "
Sam picked Hayden up and held him against his chest, bouncing slightly as he paced back and forth. "Have you thought at all about... giving it a try the old fashioned way?"
"I have, kinda scared to try and he rejects it but...if you are beside me, we can try it together."
"Even if he does, it's not because of you," Sam reminded her. "Like I told you, the doctor said his little sucking muscles didn't have time to fully develop like they normally would. Let's ask the nurse what she thinks, yeah?"
"See thats why I need you." She sighed. "Lets get the nurse."
"I hit the button!" Sam insisted, gesturing at it with his free hand. He turned his head and placed little butterfly kisses over his Hayden's head.
Within moments a nurse walked in with a big smile on her face. "Hey family what can I do for you?"
Mercedes smiled. "I was wondering if I could try nursing, maybe that could get Hayden to eat."
"Thats a great idea mom, as long as you are up for it. All the meds should be out of your system by now. Let me get the nursing blanket and we will be right back."
Sam walked over to her making little cooing noises at Hayden. "Listen now, Mama's got the stuff that'll help you get big and strong the fastest. So you think about that, okay?"
The nurse returned quickly. "Now this is his first time and since he was so early, there's a good chance he won't get through a whole feeding or even get fully sucking, but that is totally okay. Just showing interest and learning how to give it his best try is wonderful progress and means he's learning. And we can pump if we need to to make sure he stills gets all those nutrients you have for him."
Mercedes smiled at Sam an she listened to the nurse. Taking Hayden she did as the nurse directed her too. She knew he was hungry but he just wouldn't latch on. Mercedes did her best to not focus on him not doing it but focus on helping him.
After 20 minutes they took a small break and after Mercedes was determined to keep trying. "Okay baby boy here's the deal. You gave mommy and daddy a scare by coming early. But you are here and we want you to stay here so can you drink just a little? We don't want you to have a feeding tube again."
Sam sat beside Mercedes and gave her an encouraging smile. "He's doing his best just like the rest of us," he said with a tired chuckle. "Maybe we should have them pump some soon to make sure he's getting it. And they said it's not good for you to get too full either."
Mercedes nodded. "Okay how about I pump and we try this again tomorrow?"
The nurse nodded. "I will go ahead and get the pump so we can take care of this."
Mercedes nodded and smiled. Looking down to Hayden she began to rock him as she sang "Natural Woman" which she deemed appropriate.
Sam just smiled, relieved to see her not worrying too much over it. And he already knew he'd never get tired of hearing her sing to their son. "I'm sure those Evans genes will kick in soon enough and he'll be eating up a storm."
Mercedes nodded. "I have no doubt. He just needs a little more time."
"You're both doing a great job," Sam told her, laying his hand on her leg gently. Even with the scariest of it over, he knew they still had a road ahead of them.
"Thanks Sam." She said looking at him. "God I love you so much, I couldn't do this withou-" Her eyes widened as she looked down to Hayden latching. "Sam!" she squealed. "Sam he's latching."
Sam panicked momentarily when she reacted, still on high alert from everything that had happened. But he breathed a quick sigh of relief at her words and it quickly turned into a proud smile. "That's my guy."
Mercedes beam proudly as the nurse walked in. "The moment I stopped trying to get him to do it, he did it."
"It's like he's a tiny man or something," Sam chuckled. "We do things on our time, not cause someone tells us to."
Mercedes nodded, "He is definitely an Evans man that is for sure."
Sam shrugged innocently. "You're the one who loves us so much," he teased.
"Yes I am!" She looked down to Hayden. "You eat as much as you want."
The nurse walked in and smiled. "I see we dont need this."
All Sam could do was let out a soft sigh of contentment. "Things are most definitely looking up from yesterday," he mused quietly as he watched Hayden feeding.
"I will let his doctor know that he is feeding." She said as she walked out the room.
With the blanket covering Hayden she saw Quinn walking by with Mike and she smiled. Inviting them into the room. "Q! Have you seen your Godson?"
"I have! He is adorable but considering who you and Sam are its not surprise!" Quinn beamed. Mike moved closer to them. "That is gonna be us soon. How are you feeling momma? Dad?"
"I am feeling amazing."
"I'm... exhausted," Sam admitted, legs stretched out in front of him where he sat in the chair. He smiled soon enough though. "But happier than I've ever been. My wife's happy and healthy. My son's eating on his own. Things are good."
Quinn nodded. "Hey Sam can I talk to you for a moment?" Mike held up a bag as Quinn walked out the room. "I have a gift for Hayden."
"I knew someone was gonna make me get up soon enough," Sam sighed, patting Mike's shoulder as he walked past him. "We like presents." He ran his fingers through his hair as he stepped into the hallway. "Are you gonna tell me something bad? Because I think I mentioned I'm exhausted."
Quinn sighed. "Its not bad its just a heads up." She held up the paper where there was a picture of pregnant Mercedes and Sam smiling with the headline "Former Diva Rushed to ER." Letting go of it so Sam could see it she shook her head. "If you didn't want the world to know I am afraid one of the paramedic's blabbed. Now I am already getting a head of it but her parents know. They called me and while I didn't give them any information, I am not sure they can't find out. So I just don't want you guys blindsided."
Sam sighed, scratching at the back of his head as he looked at the paper. He nodded slowly. It wasn't the worse news she could've given him. They would've put out an official announcement about Hayden soon enough anyway. "Okay. I'll let Austin know. He should be here soon. We'll set up security here at the hospital since we'll be here for... probably another two to three weeks with Hayden," he mused out loud, mostly just checking off everything he needed to do.
Quinn nodded. "Okay good I will let him handle it. Just... her parents, they can be very persuasive and they can be manipulative and always have an agenda. Right now that baby means somethings to them." She patted his shoulder then waddled her way into the hospital room. "Did you like baby booties and onesies?"
Mercedes nodded. "Handsome as my daddy is my favorite!"
Sam nodded in understanding. "Not as much as he means to me," he assured her. He poked his head into the room. "Babe? I'm gonna run down to the cafeteria real quick and check on my family, grab something to eat. You want me to get you anything?"
Mercedes looked at him. "Besides a kiss? Something strawberry flavored or with strawberries."
Sam smiled and stepped the rest of the way into the room. He leaned down and kissed her gently. "First order filled. Second one on the way. Take care of 'em while I' gone," he added, pointing at Mike and Quinn.
Mercedes returned his kiss and waved bye as he left. She looked at Quinn. "Today is a big day Hayden latched."
Sam was starting to dial Austin's phone when he saw his friend walking towards him in the hallway. "There you are. I was just about to call you. I need you to make sure we keep Cedes and Hayden completely secure here. Her parents found out the baby's here and I don't want them giving her stress."
Austin sighed in frustration for his friends, but nodded in understanding. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll make it happen, mate."
Quinn squealled as Mike raised his eyebrow. "Latch?"
Mercedes shook her head. "He is eating...from me..."
Mike still looked confused but then his eyes widened and mouth dropped. "You have been breast feeding this whole time? I mean warn a guy first!"
"Its not like you can see anything Mike. And you better get used to it, Quinn will be too."
"Alright, I'm gonna go grab some food. Quinn and Mike are with Cedes if you wanna go see her," Sam told Austin before heading on to the cafeteria.
Austin knocked gently at the room door. "Looks like there's a party in here."
Mercedes smiled. "Well we do have a lot to celebrate."
"Yes, we do," Austin agreed. He held up a stuffed bear that he'd gotten and wiggled it back and forth. "For Hayden. Or yourself should you need an extra cuddler. How's Mama feeling?"
Mercedes smiled. "Wow that is a big bear! But it will look great in the nursery." Mercedes lifted the blanket slightly, seeing Hayden had gotten his fill and moved to burp him. "I still can't believe he is here."
Austin smiled as Hayden's little face appeared from under the blanket. "His head looks so big on that tiny body," he said in awe. "No wonder they have such trouble holding the things up on their own."
"Hey." Mercedes said softly. "He has the perfect size head."
Quinn grabbed his finger as Mercedes burped him. "I am so ready for his best friend to pop out. They are gonna love each other."
"I know, best friends like we are." Mercedes smiled. "And like Aus and Sam...except that you are having a girl."
"Then who knows what might happen," Austin teased. He took a seat in one of the chairs and crossed one leg over the other. "Perhaps it'll turn into one of those American high school movies where two best friends fall in love."
Mercedes shrugged. "Hey if that happens all the better, but when we found out what we were having Quinn and I decided to not meddle."
Mike snorted. "Please have you guys met each other? You won't be able to do anything but meddle."
Austin couldn't help but laugh with him. "Yeah, we'll see about that in years to come. Maybe I should have a kid so we can a good love triangle happening in our story, yeah?"
Mercedes laughed. "How do we know you don't already have a kid out there Aus?"
Austin's smile fell away as he looked at her. "Excuse you. Some of us are a little more responsible than my good friend, Sammy," he shot back.
Mercedes scoffed. "Hey we may have been a little reckless but in the end we got Hayden so not that bad."
"I suppose. I left in the middle of a date for that little squirt too," Austin pointed out. "Just had to make himself known early."
"Did Austin just come visit to complain?" Sam asked as he walked in with a bag of food. "Strawberry parfait for my lady."
Mercedes laughed. "He was just telling us about his hot date. Oh also how reckless we are." Mercedes teased. "In truth he was just admiring your handsome son." She took the parfait and smiled. "Thank you baby."
"Oh, yeah, I got the reckless speech a few months back, trust me," Sam chuckled. "But I'm a man who likes to ride life's waves." He took a seat next to Austin and popped his container open so he could eat his sandwich. "Did you explain to your date what happened?"
"I did. And as she's a nurse who works at this hospital, she was rather understanding," Austin replied proudly.
Mercedes nodded. "I got it from Quinn the first night I came over your place sooo.." she opened her parfait as Quinn took Hayden. "Did you tell her that you had to be there for your Godson?"
"I did," Austin confirmed. "Actually..." He stopped and checked his watch. "She might be here right now. What the bloody hell am I doing here with you people?"
"I dunno, chilling with your family, watching over your Godson...being a good person."
"Says the woman who stopped to have sex on the way to her wedding reception," Austin reminded her.
Sam elbowed him. "Not in front of the B-A-B-Y!"
"You know what yes I did. And it was amazing!" she boasted with a laugh.
Sam hummed in agreement around a mouthful of sandwich, nodding along enthusiastically.
Austin just shook his head at the pair of them. "I believe I covered for you then too among the dozens of other times."
"Didn't cover too well since people knew what we did!" She said with a laugh.
"Well, sorry your family's not stupid," Austin shot back. He reached over and grabbed Sam's chips, popping one in his mouth.
Sam gave him a dirty look and stole them back. "Go find your nurse."
"We should go too. I am starving." Quinn kissed Hayden before handing him back to Mercedes.
Sam paused and got up to hug Quinn and Mike goodbye. "Thanks for all your help. We'll see you soon."
After they hugged everyone and Sam and Mercedes were alone with Hayden, Mercedes sighed. "I say we all need a nap... and mommy needs some pain meds cause my belly hurts."
Sam reached down and took Hayden from her carefully. "I'll let the nurse know. This guy should probably get back to the NICU for a bit for his meds and his vitals check, hmm? Make sure you stick to being a healthy boy." He rocked him gently as he pressed the button again. "I think Austin might actually be a little pissy."
Mercedes kissed Hayden before letting him go. She ran her hands through her hair. "Why is he angry?"
"I mean... I know we were just kidding about the nurse and everything, but the guy has done a lot for us," Sam admitted as he held Hayden to his chest and rubbed his back gently. "And our crazy life this year has affected his, I'm sure."
Mercedes nodded. "Well maybe we should do something for him. Like send him somewhere or I dunno. But to show him he is appreciated."
"Yeah. I'll try to think of something. And maybe we can try not to have anymore emergencies anytime soon," Sam suggested. "You know, for all our sake."
Mercedes wanted to comment that she hadn't meant for it to happen but she just nodded instead.
"Don't give me that look," Sam replied all the same. "That comment wasn't directed at you. It was directed at the universe. "
"How about you get Hayden down to the NICU before I stop you and make him sleep here, and I will get my meds, then we can watch a movie or something make it a date, just without the sex at the end."
"Mmhmm. Might as well get used to that for awhile," Sam teased, leaning down to kiss her before he laid Hayden in his rolling bed. "Love you. I'll be right back." He pushed Hayden out into the hallway to meet up with the NICU nurse that was there to walk with them.