So Cee and I are back with another story, even though Farmer and FWB are on Hiatus we didn't want your readying enjoyment to end. Those two will be back soon so look for new updates in the coming weeks. This is a teaser to see what you all think though you know me and I might just add another chapter today anyways so enjoy!
To say returning home was a complete disaster was an understatement for Mercedes Jones. She hadn't been home in about 10 years. Not since she left for Harvard. But it was necessary for her dreams. She wanted to be a Lawyer and Harvard was her dream school. By the time she graduated Law School she had an unlimited amount of offers all throughout the US. Past Graduates wanted her and it took the help of her parents for her to settle down in L.A. and make a life for herself. While she missed her family, her career had taken off and she was a Jr. Partner in her Law Firm, even had a boyfriend who she really kinda liked.
But then she got the call. The one that put everything in perspective, the one that made her decided to go back to Ohio just so she could help her mom. Her mother had breast cancer and Mercedes was determined to help her any and every way she could. Hopping on the first flight out from L.A she was home and ready to take charge.
With her brothers having their own families and her parents both being older, Mercedes gladly took over the caregiver role. And there was a lot to do. Today her checklist included taking her mom's car to the garage to get the oil changed and tires replaced since this morning she got a flat. She had dropped the car off with every intention of picking it up later. But since nothing had gone right since she made back to her God awful and boring hometown. Why was she surprised to see her nemesis, walking right towards her arm in arm with Mercedes ex. Not one to fake playing nice she turned and headed right back to the garage in hopes they think she didn't see them and leave her alone. Walking inside and shutting the door she closed her eyes taking a breath. "Could this day get any worse?"
"That depends on how you feel about mechanic bills," Sam joked as he rounded the corner, looking at the papers in his hand. When he looked up, his heart jumped into his throat and he stood there in shock. "Mercedes Jones?"
Mercedes heard the voice, but she couldn't place it until her eyes opened and she saw him. "Sam Evans? Oh my Gosh and grown up Sam Evans!" She smiled widely seeing her childhood best friend. "How are you?"
Sam tossed the papers on the counter and moved to wrap her in a hug. "I'm good. I can't... Gosh, it's been like ten years or something. This is crazy. What are you doing here?"
Mercedes smiled hugging him back. "I know I am back, well for a while. My mom is well sick so I came back to help her." She smiled letting him go. "Wow I was gonna come find you after I got my mom settled." She looked him up and down. He was more built taller and just for sure older. "I like the scruff. Look at you all grown and stuff."
"Oh, yeah, my Ma mentioned that," Sam recalled, frowning. "I'm really sorry to hear that. But I'm sure having you around will be a big help." He chuckled at her observations. "Hey now, I had scruff in high school. A little patchier maybe."
She nodded. "Thanks. I couldn't not show up for her you know?" She laughed scratching at his bearded face. "A Lot patchier." She teased. "Okay my turn do I look different?" She stepped back and twirled around her hip hugging jeans and off the shoulder top showing off her more defined curves.
Sam watched her, the butterflies he hadn't felt since high school trying to flap their way back into his gut. "You look beautiful," he told her sincerely. "And it's really good to see you."
"Awwww Sammy." She pulled him back into another hug. "I have missed you so much I am so sorry I didn't keep in touch." She let him go. "Tell me everything, are you married? What have you been up too?"
Sam shrugged it off. "I knew you were out there doing all the awesome things you were meant to." He'd missed her a lot in the beginning. Hell, he'd always missed her. He just learned to live with it somewhere along the way. "Uh, no. Not married. Not anymore. I just, uh... own this shop. Keep food on the table."
She nodded. Leaving Sam was as hard as leaving her family. He was her person, and it was easier to not talk to him then to miss him and that made her feel so guilty. "You own this place?! That's incredible! How is your mom and your siblings? Your dad? Ugh we have got to go out and catch up!"
Sam nodded along. "Yeah. I started working here not long after you left. Mr. Garrett used to own it. Do you remember him? Anyway, he taught me everything he knew and sold it to me when he retired a couple years ago." He crossed his arms over his chest as he looked around. "I'm sure everyone would love to see you again."
"I remember him! Wow. Sam I am so proud of you. Owning your own business." She was truly proud of him and happy his life seemed happy. "Oh yes just let me know when I can come over and I will. Your mom still make the best apple pie around?"
"My Ma makes the best everything around," Sam insisted with a smile.
"Sammy?" A voice came from behind the Wall and he glanced over his shoulder. "Speak of the devil. Out here, Ma," he called back.
A tiny, blonde girl ran out from the door behind the counter and rounded it, smacking into Sam's legs. "Daddy!" she shouted, putting her arms up in request.
"I will never deny that!" She laughed. Hearing his mom she beamed. Turning towards the door she saw a little girl looking about 2 or 3 running to Sam. "Daddy?" She stared at him shocked. But why should she be, Sam was Sam and it had been ten years.
Sam lifted the little girl up into his arms and settled her on his hip. "Hey, Junebug. You have fun with Nana?" he asked, kissing her cheek. "Mercedes, this is June. Or Junie or Junebug. If you have a cookie, she'll let you call her Fred. She's my daughter."
"Did I just hear the word Mercedes?" Mary asked as she walked through the same door, going to hug the other woman immediately.
"Daughter..." she repeated again as Sam picked her up. Mercedes smiled. "Well hi June it's nice to meet you." She said still reeling from the shock. Hearing Mary, Mercedes held out her arms hugging her. "Mrs. Evans it's so great to see you!"
"Oh, please. We're all adults here. Call me Mary," she insisted, smiling as she stepped back. "It's so nice to see you again, though I am sorry for the circumstances. I'm sure your ma is really glad you're here though."
Mercedes nodded. "She was very happy to see me. Put me right to work too." She laughed. "Wow so much has changed." She said looking at Sam and his daughter, a small ache in her heart that seemed to be getting bigger the older she gets. She wanted to be a mom. Always had. "I was just telling Sam we need to catch up and now I see we really do."
Mary glanced at her son and realized the situation then. "Oh. Yes, I suppose you do. C'mon, Junie. Let's wait for Daddy in the back." She held her hands out and took the toddler from Sam, who was having a major case of shyness right now and went silently.
Sam sighed as they went back again. "Sorry. Probably should've led with that one," he chuckled nervously.
Mercedes nodded and waved at the girl. Sam said he should've led with it and she gently shoved him in the shoulder. "You think! You are a dad?!"
Sam let out a laugh and rubbed his shoulder. "Damn, violent much?" he teased. "But yeah. Yeah, I am. She is the... craziest and best thing that ever happened to me."
"I am so happy for you. I bet she will say you are the best too." She took a breath. "Soooo Tell me about her mom, how long have you guys been together?"
Sam's face fell slightly and he leaned back against the counter. "Uh, her mom passed away. During childbirth. It's a long story I doubt you wanna hear right now when you got your own things to take care of."
"Oh Sam I am so sorry though." She said honestly. "I am so sorry about that but she is lucky to have you as her daddy."
Sam nodded slightly, rubbing at his own arm. "I'm lucky to have her, believe me. Anyway, why don't you come over for dinner? Tonight, tomorrow. Whatever works best for you. I gotta catch my guy up on what needs done around here so I can get Junie home."
Mercedes nodded. "Dinner tomorrow sounds great! What do you say about 7?"
"Sure. Let me, um..." Sam looked around the counter and grabbed some sticky notes he had. "I'll write my address down for ya. Please, tell your family I said hello."
Wow, Sam had a daughter. That was a shocker for sure. She took the sticky note and put it in her purse. "I guess I should see if my moms car if finished...should I bring anything?"
"No, no. It's fine," Sam insisted. "I got it covered. Give you a night to relax." He heard the doorknob behind him attempting to rattle and his mom shushing and he chuckled. "I better get back to her. But we'll see you tomorrow."
Mercedes smiled. " Sounds great." She reached out and hugged him. "It really was great seeing you." She smiled walking away.
Mercedes made it home placing the grocery bags down. Her mom came out with a smile. "You were gone a while."
"I was running your errands."
"Did you get the car fixed?"
Mercedes smiled. "I did."
Sam finished talking to his mechanics before going back to his office where June was coloring on the floor. "Thanks for picking her up from daycare. We were busy today."
"It's no problem," Mary assured her. "Looks like you had a few surprises too. When's the last time you two talked?"
Sam sighed as he sat behind his desk. "A long time ago. We talked some after she left, but then... well, you know."
Mercedes began unpacking the food and her mom moved closer to her. "Did you see anyone you might have missed?"
Mercedes sighed. "Yes I saw Sam, you could have told me he owned the Garage?"
"It didn't come up...so how was it?"
Mercedes sighed. "It was... it was nice. His daughter's cute."
Mary nodded knowingly. "Well, maybe you can catch up some while she's here."
"That's the plan," Sam agreed as he clicked into his computer to log his hours for the day. "She's coming for dinner tomorrow."
Mary smiled to herself. "That's nice. Did you need me to help?"
"I know how to make dinner," Sam assured her. "But she did mention your pies, so I'll leave that up to you."
Ruby smiled. "Isn't she? Its sad she lost her mom every child needs a mother."
Mercedes frowned. "I wish I knew I would have called or something."
"Well you can be there now."
"Daddy! I made a dwagon for you!" June announced proudly, holding her picture up next to Sam's chair.
"A dragon? Oh, that's awesome. Thank you so much. Here, let's put it on Daddy's pinboard." Sam got up and took the picture, using a pushpin to put into the cork. "Then I can look at it while I work. Now let's get you home and get some dinner in ya."
"I'll make the pie," Mary offered with a smirk on her face.
"Thanks, Ma! See you tomorrow." Sam kissed his mother's cheek as he swooped June up and headed out to his car.
Mercedes sighed. "I know what you are doing. Mom, Sam and I were friends a long time ago, yes I had a crush on him but I outgrew it."
"Uh huh."
"I am serious. We are friends and we even have dinner planned tomorrow."
Her mom smirked and Mercedes rolled her eyes. "I am putting the food away,you should go somewhere not here." She sighed. Sam was her best friend and even if she still had feelings for him that was probably all he would be.