DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ANYTHING ELSE.
ENJOY :)
"Is it any good?"
"I've actually tried all of the new flavors and I like them."
"We'll get butter, dill pickle and garlic parmesan then." Mercedes smiled at him when he nodded, stopping him before he left out, "James?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Is there any way I can some fried wings with honey mustard, ranch and jalapeƱos on top please."
"Sure thing."
Ashlyn watched as the man left out before her eyes reunited back on her friend, "What other type of cravings have you been having?"
"Grapes with peanut butter, potato chips with sour cream and my biggest one right now is steak sauce...by itself."
Ashlyn gagged as she shook her head, "God, I hope I never get these weird craving."
"Maybe, maybe not." Mercedes chuckled as she grabbed her drink and took a sip from it, "I'm glad you came over tonight. Feel like I haven't see you in forever."
"I know and it sucks. I hate being so close yet so far away. I love the city, don't get me wrong but I miss it here." Ashlyn smiled at her as she grabbed her cup and sat down on the couch, "How's Sam?"
"I wouldn't know."
"What you mean?" Ashlyn watched her friend closely, taking in her sadness that she couldn't respond to her question, "How long has it been?"
"Three weeks."
"I know it must be hard."
"It is, especially the communication part. He can't have any at all. The last time I talked to him was when he was arrived. He had to head straight into it. The guys who are over this whole mission keeps Dad updated, in return, he updates me. It's killing me but it's been even tougher for Ishmael. He's been so reserved lately, I don't know what to do."
"Just give him some time, Cedes. I know it may sound crazy coming from me and you're a whole therapist out here and I'm not certified in shit, but I have had experience in my family, he just need some time." Ashlyn told her friend as she leaned over and squeezed her shoulder, "Where is he anyways? I miss my little booger."
"He's in his room. Let me go see if I can get him out of his." Mercedes got up from the couch and left out the living room. She crossed over to the other side of the house rather quickly, coming up to the door that was closed. Knocking on it, she pushed it open and was greeted by darkness, the only source of light coming from the TV. She found the young boy laying on top of his sheets, staring up at the ceiling, "Ish, Aunt Ash is here and she wants to see you, plus we're about to watch a movie. You want to come down and join?"
"No."
Mercedes glanced around the darken room, finding the breakfast and lunch trays still full with food on his table, "Ishmael, you can't go all day without eating. That's not good for you."
"I'm not hungry."
Mercedes watched as he turned on his side, back facing her. She pushed off the door and walked in, making her way over to get in the bed with him. She laid down in front of him, staring into his eyes as he stared back, her protruding stomach hitting his, waiting until he spoke.
"What...what if he doesn't come back?" Ishmael whispered as his eyes filled with tears as he looked at her, "I didn't even get to meet my Dad and that alone hurts me. I don't want my little brother to go through what I did."
"Baby..." Mercedes started, letting out a sigh as she wiped his tears with her thumb, her heart aching at his pain and concern, "Sam's going to be okay."
"You don't know that, Mom. Things are unpredictable. No matter how much we hope and pray, we can't prevent anything from happening."
This boy was wise beyond his years and that's something Mercedes was proud of but at this particular moment, she hated that he was because he understood and worried about everything. She leaned forward and placed a kiss to his forehead before pulling back, "No matter what happens, just know that it happened for a reason."
"What was the reason for my Dad getting killed randomly?"
"God's timing, my love. He needed your Dad up there way more than we needed him down here." She whispered as she watched as he closed his eyes, "Everything will be alright."
"I hope so."
Mercedes just watched as he laid there, not uttering another word. She leaned forward and placed another kiss to his forehead before wrapping her arm around him and closing her own eyes. He needed her the most and she wasn't going to leave his side.
Mercedes tossed and turned for hours until she finally decided to get up and go get her some hot tea from the kitchen. She hadn't been able to get any real sleep since Sam has been gone, but tonight, it was worse and something was off. She felt it. She rubbed her stomach before she placed her robe and walked out of her room. She went down the hallway, stopping when she got in front of the door. She opened it then peeked her head in, finding Ishmael sound asleep. She smiled a bit before closing the door. After their talk, the two had laid their for a moment before Ishmael had decided to come down to watch a movie with her and Ashlyn. It did lift his spirits, even hers, and Mercedes was so thankful for it.
Lawrence wrung his hands as he paced up and down the hallway. He hated that he was too close to this. A part of his job and life in general that hurt, but it hurt even more when you know the person and it's family. He heard footsteps coming into the foyer and he looked up, stopping when he saw that it was the person he didn't want to face at the moment, "Hey, what are you doing up this late?"
"I couldn't sleep." Mercedes stopped when she got in front of him, taking in his off behavior almost immediately, "What's bothering you?"
Lawrence took a deep breath as he moved closer to her, deciding there was no need for him to try to lie to her because she would see right through it, "It's Sam." Her heart immediately dropped, the pit of her stomach tight as she dreaded anything before he begun speaking again, "He was stabbed and is currently unconscious. They're transporting him a hospital now but it's an hour out from their location."
Mercedes' hand absently going to her stomach as she stared at him, her eyes began to water, "W-What?"
"It was deep and he lost a lot of blood. They said they would keep me updated." Lawrence watched as she just stared at him in disbelief, causing him to lean forward and wrap his arms around her, "I wanted you to know, you had to...just in case...everything's going to be okay."
Her worse nightmare was coming true and she didn't know if she was prepared to face it. She couldn't go through this again, not again.
"Mommy." Ishmael's voice broke the eerie mood in that has surfaced in the house, his eyes watching Mercedes closely as she broke away from his grandfather and looked at him but nothing would come from her mouth for the rest of the night, "What wrong?"
A/N. Hey you guys, it's been awhile but life happened. I wanted to give you guys a short update and sorry it had to been a painful one at that :( let me know your thoughts!
