DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR HAVE ANY AFFILIATION WITH THE GOVT.
ENJOY :)
"I need an update."
"He's stable but that can change at any moment, sir."
Lawrence rubbed his temples as he took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in his throat as he continued to listen to the man. It's been two days since the news about Sam and it been a mess since then. Silence on the other side had came not too long afterwards, which sent worry throughout the house. Mercedes was trying her best to stay calm, but ended up getting her blood pressure to high, which resulted in her being placed on bed rest for a day and Ishmael was doing his best to take care of her, "I need to know the whole story."
"From what I'm gathering, we have a leak on our end. Our whole mission and undercovers real identities were exposed. We had to act accordingly, resulting in us captivating the targets but we still have to find the leak."
"And once you do, bring them straight to me when you get back on U.S. soil. Understand me?"
"Yes sir."
"Keep me updated." Lawrence hung up the phone, standing up from his chair. He ran his hands over his face before exiting out of his office and heading to one of the lounging room's on that hall. He went in and found Ishmael asleep on Mercedes lap, his daughter's attention long gone as she stared out the window. His wife had been gone for the past two weeks on a mission trip in South America. She said that she would cut it short, but Mercedes insisted that she didn't. This situation was something he feared. He knew it was a risk when he asked Sam to give it a thought. If he didn't make it, this was on him.
"He will make it." Mercedes responded as if she read her father's mind, her eyes leaving the restful spot, showcasing her tear stained face as she looked at him, "He doesn't have a choice."
Lawrence sat on the ottoman, watching as Mercedes shakily ran her hand up and down Ishmael's back, "Mer-"
"Is there any new news?"
"Stable but it's still touch and go. The stab was deep and it hit a major part internally."
Mercedes brought the tissue that she had in her hand and wiped her nose, sniffling as she placed her abandoned hand on her stomach, "He's been kicking non-stop for the past few days."
"I think he's feeding off your emotions." Lawrence watched her for a moment before he spoke again, "I know it may be hard but you're going to have it do your best to stay calm or you're going to be in the hospital too."
"I know that, Dad and I try my best because I know Sam would be mad if I worried about him and it lead to me being sick and something happening to our son. It's just so hard because that man is my heart and he's been through so much already, he don't deserve this."
Before Lawrence could respond, there was a knock at the door, followed by it opening and showing one of the office assistants, "Excuse me, Mr. President. I'm sorry to interrupt, but you're needed in the situation room. It's urgent."
"Go, I'm fine."
"I'll be back."
Mercedes watched as he left out the room and she leaned back on the couch. She was hoping for any ounce of overall good news. Yes, she was happy that he was stable but it was said that it could change at any moment and that made it unbearable. She just wanted her boyfriend safe and at home.
Four weeks later...
Mercedes grunted lowly when she grabbed the chips and salsa and placed the items on the counter, going over to grab a bottle of water. She know this was all types of wrong but this was what she was craving this morning. Santana and her crew had to come in early because her mom was hosting a 'Women in Power' breakfast slash meeting but they were on the opposite side of the house. Her Dad had to traveled to California and Ishmael was at school. So, it was just her, sitting in the dark kitchen alone...or so she thought. Hearing slow, heavy footsteps, she began to worry because usually people announced the presence. The button for security was on the other side of the wall and out of reach, so she had to make do. She saw the shadow coming closer, turning fully around, she lifted the broom that she grabbed from the corner and started hitting it against the person.
"What the fuck-Mercedes, it's me. It's me."
"Sam?" Mercedes squinted her eyes in the darkness, walking over to the turn on the lights, she stood in front of her boyfriend, who's side face was now red with marks, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I thought somebody had broke in."
Sam stared at her in disbelief, watching as she walked over to him, "Baby, there's people everywhere in here to protect you. Jon was right outside the door."
"You're back." She ignored his last words, wincing slightly before she wrapped her arms around his neck, repeating to herself softy, "You're back."
"I am." Sam smiled as he hugged her, leaning back and placing his lips on hers for a long, deep and lingering kiss.
Mercedes smiled into the kiss, pulling back after a minute, breathlessly as she looked up at him, "I'm glad you're okay."
"I am too." He said as he dropped another one on her lips before letting go, looking around, "Where's Ish?"
"At school. It is a Wednesday."
"Honestly, I'm so off with the days, forgive me." He leaned forward and gave her another kiss, happy that he could do this. He have missed her so much, she wouldn't understand. Removing his lips from hers, he finally fully took her in. She was dressed in a pair of grey sweats and a matching sports bra, a smile quirking at the corners of his mouth as he looked at her stomach, placing his hand there and moving it around, "You've grown a lot."
Mercedes placed her hand on top of his, "Mhm, I went to the doctor yesterday and he has gained a pound already."
"It's still unbelievable to me." He said quietly as he continued to stare, bending down and pressing a kiss to her stomach, "I can't wait to meet you, little man."
Mercedes smiled as he rubbed her stomach and talked to their baby. She took in his features, wincing again at the marks on his face before placing her hand there and rubbing it, "I'm sorry."
"It's fine, I should've announced myself instead of trying to surprise someone who doesn't like it." He winked, causing her to laugh before he turned serious, removing his jacket, "Plus, it's incomparable to what I've been through. You were going to see it eventually, so I might as well show you now. Just know that I'm okay, I healed quickly and I'm fine mentally. Promise me you won't get upset because I don't want to stress you."
Mercedes nodded her head, failing to reveal to him that her father had already told her and it was too late because she did get stressed, but he didn't need to know that. She watched closely as he lifted his shirt up, showcasing the stitched up, but healed four inch stab wound in front of his stomach.
Sam took in her initiation reaction and he rolled his eyes knowingly, hating that she had a moment to even worry more about him, "You already knew, didn't you?"
Mercedes took in his tone and sighed, "Yes."
Sam stared at her as his hand dropped from his shirt, "I didn't want you to."
"But I'm glad he did tell me." She fought back, seeing him not breaking his hard, but worried stare. She leaned up and kissed him before wrapping her arms around his waist, head going to his chest, "I love you."
"I love you too."
Mercedes smiled as she glanced up, "Are you hungry? I can fix you something."
"I'm fine, thank you though." Sam dropped a kiss to her cheek as she got back onto the stool. He looked at the contents that was in front of her and raised a brow, "That's what you're having for breakfast?"
"No...no, this is what our son is wanting for breakfast." Mercedes giggled as she picked up another chip and ran it through the salsa, "I asked him the same question because wow."
Sam snorted as he shook his head just as an alert with off on Mercedes' phone. God, he loved this woman.
"It's Career Day at Ishy's." Mercedes spoke aloud when she saw the reminder text from Ish's teachers, her eyes going to Sam, "He wanted you to come but we didn't know if you would be back in time."
"Me? Really?"
"Don't know why you're surprised. The kid loves and admires you." Mercedes playfully rolled her eyes as she locked her phone, "I'm actually really, really jealous he didn't pick me. I'm cool and interesting."
"Yeah but let's be real...no kid wants to talk to a shrink, I definitely didn't and I'm grown."
Mercedes pursed her lips at the man, "I was going to fill in for you, but I think you should surprise him."
"I think I should." Sam grabbed one of her chips and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I'm going to shower and change real quick. I love you."
"Love you." Mercedes watched as he left our with a smile on her face. She was so happy he was back.
Ishmael crossed his arms against his chest as he sat slouched in his desk chair, listening to Ashley's mom talk more about her dentistry work. He was over it. Not because it wasn't interesting, but it was hard for him to even pay any attention because his mind was wondering about his own father. He should be here right now and he hated them people for taking him away. It wasn't fair. As for Sam, he hated that he was away too. Coming out of his thoughts when he heard the knock on the door, thinking that it probably was his mother showing up because she did say that she would be coming.
"Excuse me?"
That wasn't his mother. Ishmael's eyes went wide when he heard the voice, seeing the man come fully into the room.
"Do you have time for one more?" Sam asked the teacher, his eyes searching around the room until they landed on his. His smile big when the boy jumped from his seat and ran to him, causing him to bend done to hug him tightly, hearing the words he just heard from Mercedes not too long ago.
"You're back." Ishmael whispered as he held on tight, letting a relieved breath that he didn't know was even in him out. He was safe. Alive. Sam was somebody in his life that he loved and he didn't know what he would do if he lost him too. He let go and looked at him with a smile, "I'm glad you're okay."
Sam just smiled as he patted his back before standing back to his height, his attention returning to the eyes that was now on them before he looked at the teacher again for an answer. He watched as she smiled and nodded her head, gesturing for him to take the floor, "Hey everyone, my name is Sam Evans. I'm Ishmael's Poppa and I'm currently head of security at the White House. My main job is to protect the President's daughter."
"Yeah but aren't y'all dating?"
"And doesn't that make Ishmael your step-son?"
The teacher stepped in and gave them a knowing look when the questions started off too personal, "Kids, stick to questions surrounding Mr. Evans' career."
Sam chuckled at them as they mumbled, giving the teacher a smile before resuming, "I was a Navy SEAL for awhile before becoming Miss Jones' bodyguard."
"We see how that worked out." One of the mom's said lowly.
"You were a Navy SEAL? I know what that is because I watch a lot of shows and movies."
Sam nodded at the little girl as her eyes brighten, "I was and Ishmael's Dad was too."
Ishmael lit up at the mention of his father, smiling before it turned into a frown when someone else voiced their unwanted opinion.
"I couldn't imagine doing anything like that. Constant risk of my life." The lawyer said as he sat in the corner and he shook his head, "It's selfish in my eyes when you have a family of your own involved."
"Well, good thing you don't have to do the job, Mr. Smart." Ishmael snapped calmly as he cut his eyes at the man, the clearing of Sam's throat catching his attention and him shutting his mouth when he saw the look he gave him. The look wasn't a stern one at all, more like a "let me handle it".
Sam swallowed the laughter that was in his throat as he turned to the man to address him. Ishmael was very much like Mercedes, a wild card, because you never knew what you were going to get. Although he was a very respectful kid, he wasn't going let anyone say anything bad about his family, "It's far from selfish. It's quite honorable in fact. Not even speaking on myself, but anyone who has the courage to want to protect people other than themselves, deserves the upmost respect. People risk their lives everyday for this country and a lot of them die doing so."
"Still selfish to me."
"Then you're just ignorant." Sam started then had to remind himself that he was in classroom full of kids staring back at him, "And like Ishmael said, you're not doing the job, so why should it matter?"
Ishmael smirked before rolling his eyes at the man and sending glares to the women who had seemingly let their eyes linger on Sam too long.
"To keep it short, I really don't like talking about myself or what I do. I want to encourage you and let you know that you can be whatever you want to be. Don't let anyone choose your path for you, only you know what you want. Thank you." He gave them a nod as everyone clapped their hands, watching as Ishmael made his way back to him.
"Thank you, Mr. Evans for your service and for you coming to speak to us today."
"No thanks necessary. I'm glad that I could be here for Ishmael." Sam responded before his eyes went back to Ishmael with a smile then his teacher, "Do you mind if I speak to him for a second outside?"
"No problem at all."
Ishmael followed Sam outside curiously, waiting until the door was shut, he waited for the man to speak.
"Mom probably would get mad if I checked you out early, but I'll be to get you today. We're going do something fun as a family. What do you think about that?"
The smile on Ishmael's face only got bigger and brighter as he nodded his head, "I'd love that."
Sam smiled as he placed his hand back on the door handle, "Alrighty then, go learn something.
"I love you, Poppa."
"I love you too, kid." Sam heart swelled every time. He opened the door back and watched as he went back in to his seat, closing it back. He nodded at Jamie, Ishmael's bodyguard, who was sitting in the chair outside before heading out.
