A/N: And so it begins! ENJOY!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Will You?

Sam did everything Artie advised him to do and made sure plenty of people knew he was leaving town after the fake funeral. He was surprised when the day arrived and all the people who showed up, it was a short service closed casket considering there wasn't anyone inside of it but he still cried over it. He had to deal with planning a fake funeral but his tears were very real, his emotions were very real because the thought that it could be real was dancing around in his head. This whole thing, the flowers, the people there, the sad song could all have been real but it wasn't and he was thankful for that fact.

He hired a photographer to take pictures of the guest just in case there was someone there that didn't belong but from what he could tell everyone seemed genuinely said about her 'passing'. They were at the grave site and he could feel his self getting antsy, he hadn't told Mercedes that he would be coming home today and couldn't wait to get back to her.

"She was very beautiful." He heard a soft voice say and looked up then nodded.

"Beyond beautiful." He replied.

"I really hate that this has happened to her, she seemed so… lively."

"She was, little firecracker after you got to know her, very kind and the love of my life."

"It's a shame what she went through… what you both went through. Having to bury the person you love and so young, never an easy thing." Sam looked at person next to him and sighed.

"Did you know her?"

"A little… I hope you find healing soon and my condolences." Sam just nodded and watched as everyone else piled out leaving him alone, he placed the flowers he was holding on the makeshift grave and went to the car that was waiting to take him back to the house in Lima. He put it up for sale like Artie said and only had a few more boxes to load before he would be leaving, he couldn't help but smile and wonder what Mercedes was doing.

…

"Where's Mercedes?"

"Hogging my baby again… I love her but she's gonna have to hand her over in three minutes." Quinn replied drinking her coffee and looking out the window at Mercedes and Beth.

"She looks so happy." Rachel said smiling.

"Baby stealer." Quinn mumbled making the rest of the women around her laugh loudly.

"Well since she's currently distracted we need to get everything ready for Trouty. Today's gonna be a big day for them both and we need to make sure one she's ready and two that everything is in place. She doesn't know he's coming and we really do have a limited time frame to keep her out of the way so Beth is going to have to be with her for just a little while longer." Santana said looking out the window now.

"I can take her shopping, she's gonna need a dress or something."

"He literally sent everything luckily I got the package before she did."

"You mean thank Beth!" They all said to Quinn who just rolled her eyes.

"Well come on let's get this show on the road, Tina and Rachel you're in charge of hair and make-up, Santana you and Kurt decorations and food, Brittany you can go keep her distracted while I get my damn baby!" Quinn said and everyone looked at her like she was crazy before nodding in agreement.

…

"So tell me again why we're doing this?" Mercedes asked her friends while they played with her hair and make-up.

"Because we want to and plus Quinn wanted her baby back." Tina said laughing.

"She's just so cute!" Mercedes said smiling.

"Yeah well you'll have another baby to play with soon." Rachel said before covering her mouth.

"WHAT!" Tina and Mercedes both screamed excitedly.

"Oh no, I wasn't supposed to say anything… not yet at least!" Rachel said feeling bad.

"Hey, this is exciting! How far along are you?" Tina asked putting the finishing touches to Mercedes's hair.

"Three months..." They both looked at her shocked but quickly hugged her and congratulated her again.

"We need to celebrate! Hey where's Kurt and Santana?" Mercedes asked admiring her hair and make up and turning looking at her friends with a confused expression and before she could respond her phone went off.

Hey beautiful, do me a favor and go into our closet there's something in there for you.

"Well that's odd… he wants me to get something out of the closet." She said aloud and walked over the their closet and walked in looking until she saw something hanging with her name on it, she grabbed it and walked out to see what it was, Tina and Rachel both shared excited glances and noticed their phones went off letting them know he was ten minutes out and to make sure she gets dressed.

"Well what is it?" Tina asked walking over to her friend who was just staring at the garment bag before unzipping it and opening it with wide eyes.

"Oh it's gorgeous!" Rachel said in aww. Mercedes just nodded smiling and slowly running her hand over the gown. It was a royal blue high low lace gown with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, it was absolutely stunning and Mercedes couldn't think of words as she looked at it.

Can you put it on for me?

"I guess he wants me to try it on… weirdo." She said giggling.

"Well put it on girl! Oh you should change your underwear first for the full effect." Tina said with Rachel agreeing.

Mercedes shrugged and changed before stopping and admiring herself in the mirror, the dress fit perfectly and the way Tina her hair complemented the cut of it, she looked around for some shoes and decided on a pair of silver strappy heels.

"What do yo- Tina? Rachel?" She asked when she walked out closet to an empty room. She looked around and didn't see any signs of them so she headed downstairs calling everyone's names but got no response she walked into the living room and saw a card hanging and grabbed it to see what it said.

Meet me where we first kissed.

She couldn't help but the huge smile that graced her face and walked outside towards the back when was met by a painting on an easel, she gasped when she saw it was her and him in the elevator the first time they'd met she stood and admired it for a little while longer before being greeted by Mike who was holding a card in his hand.

You were so beautiful that day, even though at the time you were hiding so much your beauty was always there.

"I'm your ride, can't have you walking in those heels now can we?" Mike said and she looked and saw that there was a carriage tied to Blue and felt her heart do a back flip and butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"What on earth..." She said smiling as the started to move they rode in silence until they stopped and Mike helped her out but she realized they weren't where Sam said to meet.

"Umm..."

"Go, you gotta go the rest of the way yourself kid." Mike said hugging her and walking away. She looked at him leaving before heading towards the barn only to stop when she saw the trail of flowers and paintings making a pathway, she stood there with her mouth slightly agape before slowly walking down the path. She stopped at each painting and read the notes underneath each one, smiling and feeling tears forming in her eyes as she looked at all the mini milestones that they had experienced together. She saw a small screen on one and the note simply said press play so she did and the tears fell as she saw her and Quinn laughing in the cabin, she saw the look of happiness on her face and realized that she was no longer that scared woman.

She walked further until she saw another painting but this one wasn't like the rest of them it was larger and there wasn't a note the closer she got to the more her heart began to race. It was a silhouette of two people with a group of people around them and one of them was down on one knee… Mercedes eyes went wide and she quickly turned when heard someone approach and when saw who it was she placed her hands over her mouth.

Sam and all of their friends were there just like in the painting and they made eye contact before he got down on one knee, she felt the tears rolling down her face completely shocked.

"Mercedes, there are so many reason why I want to ask you this but the one that stands out the most is your soul. You've endeared so much hurt and yet you still allowed me in, you allowed me to get close to you and get to know you then fall in love with you. You are non-judging, kind and so incredibly resilient, your laughter make my heart sing, you smile makes me forget what I was thinking and heart… make my soul feel so complete. I was broken… a shell of who I used to be and then you came out of nowhere and unknowingly threw my world into a this beautiful abyss. I can't see myself ever loving someone as much as I love you so… Mercedes Diane Jones will you marry me?"

"Y-yes! Yes, yes, yes!' She answered with tears still streaming down her face and smiling as their friends cheered loudly. Sam smiled so brightly and placed the ring on her finger before pulling her into a kiss that she quickly deepened by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

"I think we should go." Kurt said quickly realizing that they were still kissing as they all watched.

"Guys! We should leave… they haven't seen each other in two weeks!" Kurt said again snapping at his friends, who all nodded but still didn't move.

"He's not kidding guys, you might want to leave because I'm not stopping." Sam said in between kisses making Mercedes giggle.

"That's our cue." Rachel said before grabbing Finn and walking away and then the rest followed suit.

"Santana that means you too." Sam said as he threw Mercedes over his shoulder and heading towards the barn.

"Wanky."

…

"So do we eat without them or.." Puck asked getting a smack from Quinn.

"I swear you think with your stomach." She said with a soft laugh.

"I mean it was a good question… we were supposed to be celebrating their engagement and now we're all here and they're…

"Making babies." Blaine said nonchalantly making everyone laugh. "What you heard him at the hospital… they were trying and it's been weeks since they've been able to try so I say we eat before the food gets cold because let's be honest, that barn is basically a guest house fully equipped with multiple beds, a kitchen and a lot of other surfaces. They just got engaged and haven't seen or touched each other in weeks, we won't see then until next month." Blaine said before grabbing some food and everyone else nodded and started doing the same.

"I bet she'll make him stop after one round." Tina said shocking everyone.

"Did you not hear what he just said?" Santana asked with a confused expression.

"Oh I heard him but Mercedes knows we're here… she's not going to do- see?" Tina stopped and pointed when she saw Sam and Mercedes heading their way.

"Hi! We didn't want to miss the celebration." Mercedes said with a sly smile while Sam looked extremely agitated.

"Woah… Tina you were right."

"Right about what?" Sam asked when all his friends burst out in laughter making him and Mercedes share confused glances.

"Tina said she would make you stop at one round because we were here." Mike said winking at his wife.

"Cock blockers...ow! What? They are, all of you." Sam said rubbing his arm after Mercedes hit him.

"Careful or it'll stay at one round for the night, besides we shouldn't be talking about this around Beth." Mercedes said reaching for the little girl but Puck stopped her.

"I'm gonna make you eat those words." Sam said smacking her on her butt and quickly moving away before she could hit him again. He was beyond happy that he was back home with Mercedes celebrating their engagement with their friends, he looked over at everyone and finally felt at home again.

…

"So…" Mercedes said after watching the last of their friends leave before turning around and smirking at Sam.

"So..." He replied slowly closing in the gap between the two of them smiling when she ran her finger along his jaw then wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him into a breathtaking kiss before moving away smiling when he groaned.

"I'm ovulating." She said with a wink before running up towards the stairs and screaming when he came up behind her and tossing her over his shoulder.

"Well once certainly isn't enough… I'm aiming for triplets baby." He said making her laugh.

…

"Mmm..."

"Don't ever make me wait this long to have you again." Mercedes said before laying against him sighing at the feel of his firm body and the warm water around them

"I promise I'm not going anywhere baby." He replied wrapping his arm around her middle squeezing lightly then moving his hands up and cupping her breast then kneading them warning a moan from Mercedes. He smiled as placed soft kisses down her neck and moving one of his hands between her legs and he slowly ran a finger along her slit making her shudder. Right as he was about to slide a finger into her heat a loud banging at the door made them both jump, Sam froze wondering who would be there this late being that it was damn near two in the morning.

"Come on." He said hoarsly and got out of the tub first hearing the banging again he helped Mercedes out and wrapped her in a towel before grabbing on for his self.

"Maybe you shouldn't… we can pretend like we're asleep." Mercedes said drying off and biting her lip. Sam considered doing just that but there was another knock and he realized that whoever was there wasn't leaving.

"Just stay in the room okay, if I'm not back in five minutes call the police." He said pulling on some sweat pants and a shirt before going down stairs. Mercedes quickly got dressed and followed him making him stop before he opened the door giving her a stern look that she countered with head shake.

"Go back upstairs." He said in a hushed voice and shook her head then crossed her hands over her chest challenging him. He threw his head back and sighed before walking over to her and pushing her out of view then went and opened to door.

"Dude! Took long enough, we need to talk and immediately."

"Artie? It's two in the morning why didn't you-"

"Couldn't plus I got the pictures back from the fake funeral and was hoping Cedes could look at them." He said pushing his way inside and going straight to the kitchen, Mercedes came from her spot and followed Sam as they watched him chug a beer.

"Oh good you're awake, look at these for me beautiful and tell me if anyone looks familiar." Artie said handing her folder with the pictures, she took them and sat down and started going through them.

"So what else was so urgent?" Sam asked.

"Hold on let her finish." He replied looking intensely at Mercedes as she looked through the pictures until she stopped at one of Sam talking to a woman.

"Why was she there?" Mercedes asked looking at both of them men holding up the picture.

"Who is she Cedes?" Artie asked moving closer.

"Holly… this is Holly Holiday but that doesn't make sense. Why the hell would she come to my 'funeral'." She asked looking down at the picture again before looking through the rest.

"Sam you talked to her what did she say?" Artie asked still watching Mercedes.

"Just expressed her condolences and that it was sad how she died." He said looking concerned.

"I think she was checking to make sure she was really dead. Cedes, do you know about any money you might have that you forgot?"

"Umm… no? Why?' She asked.

"Shane has an account in your name, off shore and it's… more than a lot. More than cowboy here." Artie said grabbing another beer and taking a long sip.

"Shane Tinsley? HA! He would never do that… I never had access to any of the money, sure I got an allowance but full access hell no." Mercedes said shaking her head.

"Believe it, you literally held all the cards beautiful. The address in Texas do you know what it was?"

"Well… yes. I was going some files and came across it and umm...yeah I asked him about it which resulted in him beating the hell out of me for even looking at the file." She said letting out a deep breath.

"What else do you know?" Artie pushed and she looked at Sam for a moment.

"Escorts, drugs, fake business, money laundering and some overseas stuff."

"Boom." Artie said looking at Sam wide-eyed. "Look, you faking her murder just put a lot of heat on them A LOT. Her 'death' means more than you think it does and if you think Holly showing up at her 'fake funeral' is something then the rest of the people who didn't talk to you are a bigger issue. Cedes does anyone else look familiar?" He asked and she looked over the images again shaking her head until she looked closer at one person.

"Him… I saw him at one of the functions. He was always really kind." She said looking at the man again. "Carl something."

"Fuck."

"What?" Sam asked officially confused.

"I can't help anymore." He said chugging the rest of the beer.

"Wait dude why not?"

"He's the damn feds!" He said walking over and sifting through the pictures and grabbing one holding it up. "Al Motta- drug connect." He put that picture down and found another. "Sue Slyvester, DEA!"

"You should've left her alive because I officially have been asked to explain my connection to you and Cedes." Artie said letting out shaky breath. "If they figure out I helped with this whole thing it's not just jail I have to worry about, its the people Shane stole all that money from and put it in her name they all think she's dead which means he can't get the money to get them away. Your mother is the next person to be contacted by them and based on all the shit he's told me about her the second she signs it over to him you baby girl are going to be in a hell of trouble the minute they find out you're alive." Sam and Mercedes both shared a worried look and just before they could say anything Artie held up his hand.

"You know me better than that Sam… Mercedes you're no longer dead in the eyes of the law but it is hidden from him. If you agree to give the Feds and the DEA access to everything and tell them everything you know they'll excuse this fake death shit but that means moving her until the trial..."

"No. Nope she stays here with me." Sam said flatly.

"Wait Sam, so you're saying you can get him for everything? Not just for trying to kill me but EVERYTHING?" Mercedes asked and Artie nodded.

"Things will move really fast and you'll only be apart for a few weeks, they have a great deal of information but if you can somehow-"

"Roderick." Mercedes said cutting him off earning confused looks from them both. "I need to call Roderick, you need proof right? Then he's who you need to talk to but only if you promise he and his family will be safe. I can stay here because I'm not running from him anymore, promise that they will be safe and I'll help."

"Sam?" Artie asked knowing his friend and how strongly he felt about Mercedes.

"If she's sure then I'm here to support her no matter what… are you sure baby?" Sam asked looking at Mercedes.

"Let's bury his ass.' She said with grin while Artie pulled his out his phone to make a call.

"She's in."

WHEW LAWD! That's all... i have no words! I want to hear your thoughts! Because Artie and Mercedes with the tea! Sam proposing! Rachel's pregnant and our girl ovulating! Also Roderick coming back with the PROOOOFFF! Seems like out Cedes has always had something up her sleeve! Until next time XOXO!