A/N: Enjoy!

Update on my family: My sister is covid free! My mother and father have tested positive but both are on the mend!

Chapter 21

Nothing that Glitters…

"Sam if I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to seduce me." Mercedes slurred with a flirtatious giggle.

"Can you blame me? You look absolutely adorable in that grass skirt and that crop top." He joked pulling her into him swaying slightly.

"How the hell did we get drunk?"

"Samantha left with your parents, we started cleaning you pulled out the wine and we a drinking game at the amount of cups we found on the ground." Sam answered smiling before nipping at her neck making her laugh.

"Oooooh yeah! Ha! I see another one! It's your turn to drink."

"Mhm.. how about a kiss instead?" Sam countered tracing the outline of her lips with his thumb, when she smiled and nodded he leaned in and kissed her softly but deeply before letting out a deep groan/

"You taste like rainbows and wine." Mercedes said giggling before pulling him back in for another kiss that quickly became heated and they began moving towards the couch stumbling slightly before Sam finally sat down pulling her down on his lap.

"Mercedes I need to tell you something." He said in between kisses and when she took off her top the topic he wanted to discuss completely left his mind and she let out a sexy giggle before lightly flicking his lips then pulling him in for a deep kiss.

"Mmm… let's go get reacquainted with our bed." She said starting to move but he just picked her up and threw her over his shoulder running up the stairs with her laughing.

…

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Mhmm… stop banging." Mercedes grumbled turning over a pulling a pillow over her head.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Sam seriously… what are you doing?" She asked from under the pillow.

"It's not me, it's the door. I'll go get it..." Sam mumbled slowly opening his eyes before shaking his head and closing them again, he groan when he heard the door again and got up slowly finding a pair of pants then stumbling downstairs.

"Yeah?" He said once he opened the door seeing his brother and sister standing there looking at him with a concerned look.

"Sam… are you okay?" Stacey asked and Sam gave her a confused look before Stevie pointed at his chest. He moved back and looked in the mirror before blushing and letting out a nervous chuckle.

"Ah yeah.. what are you two doing here?" Sam asked nodding them in and going into the kitchen to make some much need coffee.

"We wanted to meet Samantha and give her her birthday presents we got for her." Stevie answered as they both sat on the stools sharing looks when they saw his back.

"Umm Sam are you sure you're okay?" Stevie asked pointing at his back.

"Yes. I'm good I promise." Sam said trying to hid his smirk.

"Sam who was at the door?" He heard Mercedes asked from what sounded like the stairs.

"Stevie and Stacey are here." He replied and heard their room door close and he let out chuckle.

"Sorry kiddos but little bit isn't here she's at her grandparents… I'm not sure if she'll be back today either." Sam said giving his siblings a sorry look before smiling when Mercedes walked into the kitchen with a nervous smile.

"Hey sweeties, what are you doing here?" She asked giving them both hugs before handing Sam a shirt and winking at him.

"We wanted to meet Samantha but Sam said she isn't here." Stacey answered sadly.

"Well I can get my parents to bring her so you can, just give me a minute to get some coffee okay?" She asked smiling at them both and they nodded. Mercedes poured herself a coffee and kept it black before walking out and calling her parents letting them know that the twins were there and wanted to meet Samantha.

"Does mom know you're here?" Sam asked when she walked back in and she held her composure.

"Yeah… we tried to come to her party but she wouldn't let us, she said that it would be best if we weren't here and that if you wanted us here you would have invited us personally." Stevie said sadly.

"Did you not want is here?" He asked Mercedes which shocked her because she was the one that extended the invite to Sam.

"Oh sweetie yes, that's why I told Sam to tell you that I did… I wanted you two to finally meet her and when you guys didn't show up I figured you'd gotten busy." Mercedes answered masking her anger and hurt.

"I told you mom was lying." Stevie said smiling at Mercedes and nudging Stacey.

"I never said she wasn't… so we'll get to meet her then?" Stacey asked getting excited.

"Mhm, as soon as my parents get here which shouldn't be long and if you guys want you can spend the day with us… you do know you two are welcomed here whenever right?"

"We do now!" Stevie said smiling. Sam looked at Mercedes and could tell she was trying hard to save face but it was slowly breaking.

"Hey you two give me and Merce a second okay? Pretend like you're at home foods in the fridge movies and games are in the living room." Sam said putting his cup down and walking over to Mercedes grabbing her hand and leading her into his office.

"Why would she tell them that? Those babies are going to think I hate them!" She said shaking away her tears.

"No they won't, you heard them in there they thought she was lying when she said it." Sam replied pulling her into a reassuring hug.

"Sam I was so close to opening that damn door! You think I want her walking around not knowing she has another grandmother? I want to trust her I do… even if it's just enough to let her get to know baby girl but then more shit happens!" Mercedes said getting choked up again.

"Baby I'll talk to her okay? Let's just not worry about it today okay?" Sam said giving her a gentle kiss, Mercedes just nodded and gave him a weak smile before walking out and heading to get showered and dressed before her parents arrived.

…

'So what's been going on you two? How's mom?" Sam asked sitting next to his siblings waiting for them to respond.

"Mom's been a little off but I think it's because of all the stuff with dad." Stevie said softly.

"Mom's been more than off and you shouldn't lie, she's angry… she thought after everything she did you would at least come back and see us more. Oh and bring Samantha around, then she came here and tried to give her a birthday gift and mom said Cedes was rude and that's when she told us we couldn't come over for the party." Stacey retorted and Sam could tell something was bothering her.

"Stace what aren't you saying?"

"Why did you let it get this bad?" Stacey asked with watery eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Sam asked looking at her confused then to Stevie who was avoiding his eye contact.

"Sam you should've fought harder for Cedes! We told you what he was going to do and you should've told the cops then!" Stacey said growing angry.

"Stace it's not that black and white… there are more things involved that you-"

"They kidnapped our niece and I know we haven't met her but Sam you are supposed to pick them over us every time! Dad tried to kill Cedes and you didn't even have him arrested, you let him get away with it and now everything is crazy." Stacey said shocking Sam by her sudden outburst.

"Oh Stace… I didn't know… this isn't something you should be worried about, let's just have a good day okay?" Sam said suddenly feeling flustered.

"No Sam you can't avoid this, I know everyone sees us as kids but what happened still affected us! I know we were younger when we met Mercedes but she never forgot us… you honestly chose to try to bridge a gap when you should have protected them. We're your siblings and we'll always love you and we know you would never do anything to hurt us but do they?" Stevie chimed in finally and his last question threw Sam completely off.

"Hey, what are we talking about?" Mercedes said smiling before it faded at the looks on everyone's face.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Mercedes asked Stevie who looked beyond upset.

"Cedes, we're sorry for what our parents did to you and Samantha." Stacey said when Stevie just gave her a sad look. Mercedes felt her heart tighten and tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh babies, you have nothing to apologize for.. this isn't your fault and I never want you to think it is okay?" Mercedes said grabbing both of their hands and squeezing them.

"Okay." They said together and she gave them both a hug and a reassuring smile right as the door opened and Samantha came bouncing inside smiling before stopping when she saw them.

"Little bit I want to introduce you to my brother and sister." Sam said picking her up and walking over to where the twins were standing smiling at her brightly, Diane and Matthew shot Mercedes a look and she just smiled and nodded letting them know she was okay with this happening.

"Hi! I'm Stevie and that's Stacey."

"You have a brother and sister? Will I have one too?" Samantha asked looking at her father who didn't know how to answer that just yet and when he looked at his siblings they were sharing the same look at Samantha.

"Umm Merce?" He looked over his shoulder when he heard her and her mother laughing before they walked away leaving him to fend for his self.

"How about you show them you guys show her the gifts you got for her?"

"You got me presents?" Samantha asked and they nodded, Sam put her down and let her go with his siblings.

"Mr. Jones, can I talk to you?" Sam asked when they were out of earshot.

"Why do I feel like this is about to be a repeat of five years ago?" He joked as they walked into his office.

…

"So you're daddy's sister and brother?"

"Yep, so we're your aunt and uncle!" Stacey said helping her open her gifts.

"How come you didn't come to my party?" Samantha asked.

"Our mom wouldn't let us..." Stevie replied honestly, Samantha gave him a look before nodding.

"Maybe she'll let you stay over with me and mommy and daddy! Maybe mommy will make us hot chocolate and watch movies with us!" Samantha said excitedly.

"Maybe! We can always ask." Stacey said feeling hopeful as Mercedes and her mother walked outside where they were sitting playing with the little girl.

"Hey how's it going out here?" Mercedes asked smiling at them all.

"Can they stay with us and you make hot chocolate and we watch movies and stuff?" Samantha asked giving her a pleading look.

"I ah, don't have a problem with it you would need to ask your mother first..." Mercedes said wondering were Sam and her father was before they came walking outside as well and Sam gave her a smile.

"Everyone getting along?" He asked walking behind Mercedes and wrapping his arms around her while resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Baby girl asked if Stevie and Stacey could stay with us tonight." Mercedes said looking at him.

"I don't see why that's a problem." Sam said giving her a peck on her lips with a smile that quickly faded when Mercedes gave him a knowing look that Diane caught.

"Hey you three why don't we go make sure there's plenty of snacks for tonight while Sam and Mercedes calls your mom." Diane said and they all nodded before following her and Matthew inside.

"What's up? It's okay right?" Sam asked turning Mercedes around.

"Sam I don't have a problem with it at all, but it's not up to us… your mom has to be okay with it." She replied.

"I'll talk to her, we can go grab them some clothes for tonight and I'll take them back home personally no possible interactions with my mother deal?" He asked nuzzling her nose with his making her smile.

"Deal but you do know that means there will be no adult partying tonight right?" She teased nipping at his lips.

"One night… I can manage one night." Sam said not convincing either of them.

"Sure you can." She retorted before kissing him deeply and lowering her hand to his back pocket pulling out his phone. "Make sure you let her know I said they could stay." She added handing him his phone before walking inside.

Sam called his mother and after an hour she finally agreed to let them stay, Sam asked her why she said those things about Mercedes and why she didn't allow to the twins to come to Samantha's party which made the conversation longer than intended. She didn't give any real reason except that she didn't think it was right if the whole family couldn't attend which only pissed him off more but he chose to not entertain it any further and let her know she would be bringing the twins home tomorrow evening.

After he told them that they could stay, Diane and Matthew left giving all three of the kids hugs and promised they would come back and visit Stevie and Stacey as well. Mercedes and Sam took them to the store to grab some pajamas and snacks which took well over an hour because Samantha made life decisions while Stacey and Mercedes got to spend some time goofing off picking up other snacks and some nail polish so they could paint each other's nails. Sam figured it would be best order take out so that they wouldn't have to worry about trying to put together a meal for everyone.

When they finally got back they all agreed the kids agreed they wanted to play outside for a little before settling down for movies and snacks leaving Mercedes and Sam alone for a while.

"So, you know they're outside… and we're inside." Sam said biting his lip and winking at Mercedes who just laughed and shook her head. They both settled down on the couch and Sam figured this was the best time to talk to her about something that had recently came up for him.

"Hey can I need to tell you something and it's important." Sam said letting out a breath.

"Okay lay it on me." She responded giving him her full attention.

"So I know we just kinda got back to some form of normalcy and it's amazing… I just need to know where-"

"Daddy come pay with us!" Samantha said jumping onto his lap with a bright smile and pleading eyes, Sam looked at Mercedes for a moment.

"Go ahead we can finish talking tonight." She said winking at him. "I need to check on the restaurant and the BnB anyways. I'll be out as soon as I'm done." Sam just nodded and before tickling Samantha and going outside to play with the kids.

Mercedes could hear the laughs and screams as she called her restaurant to see how everything was going and making sure the new manager was adjusting when suddenly it grew quiet before she heard Sam calling for her to come downstairs, she sent Roderick a text asking to send over the numbers before heading down stairs. When she got down she didn't see or hear anyone so she called out their names and still got no response. She walked outback and didn't see anyone calling their names again with the same outcome.

"Sam?" She said again before turning around being greeted by Sam's sweet smile. "Hey you called me?"

…

"Sam… whatever you're about to do-" She started before feeling her back becoming drenched and she let out squeal as everyone else let out laughs.

"We got you mommy!"

"Yeah that was too easy." Stevie said laughing but stopped when Mercedes shot him a mischievous grin.

"Was it now… you each have ten seconds before it's game on." She said looking back at Sam with another smirk. Everyone was still standing before they saw Mercedes turn on the water hose and gave them all a look.

"9, 10. Game on!" Mercedes said before spraying them all with the water hose as they all screamed and Sam ran straight towards her grabbing the hose and turning it on her making her laugh and scream before she ran away with him and the kids all ambushing her.

After everyone was completely soaked and ready to change out their wet clothes Sam let his siblings and Samantha know it was time for baths and they would order dinner while they all got ready to calm down and watch movies before bed. Sam ordered the food and helped Samantha with her bath so Mercedes could get her one before he did and once everyone was ready they all gathered in the living room with loads of blankets, pillows and the snacks. After the pizza arrived everyone began eating while they debated on a movie, everyone wanted to watch something different before Stevie suggested they watched one of Mercedes' favorites.

"Oh… well my favorite movie is a remake of an older one but I think you guys will like it." Mercedes said getting up and putting in her favorite movie, the Parent Trap.

They all watched the movie and Samantha had a few questions but eventually everyone got into the movie and enjoyed it. Once it ended Mercedes helped both Stacey and Samantha learn the handshake from the movie while Sam and Stevie cleaned up everything.

"I really like Cedes." Stevie said making Sam smile.

"Yeah so do I… a lot." Sam joked.

"Then why not marry her, that's what you wanted to do last time right?"

"I don't even know if we're dating kiddo… but yes I want to do that as well." Sam answered honestly.

"Then grow a pair and do it, sheesh!" Stevie retorted before walking back into the living leaving Sam there chuckling. If only it was that simple he thought as Mercedes walked in smiling.

"They want to sleep down here since there's a huge pallet, baby girl seems to betting along with them pretty well too." She said walking over to him and hugging him.

"Yeah I knew they would, they're good kids. Can I ask you something?" He asked wrapping his arms around her.

"Anything."

"Are we dating?" He asked seriously and pulled back when she started laughing. "What I'm serious."

"I assumed after we had sex we were dating but I mean if you're asking then yes I'll be your girl." She said giggling and Sam couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"So since they're sleeping down there… we could probably confirm our relationship then? Since they'll be a whole floor separating us." Sam asked nibbling on her neck, Mercedes moaned and nodded.

"Maybe..." She said pulling away winking then walking out of the kitchen to go check on the kids before heading upstairs with Sam in tow.

…

The next morning Mercedes and Sam woke and made breakfast for everyone, figuring they had a full day with Stevie and Stacey before Sam would need to get them home and they decided to have picnic in the park. After breakfast everyone lounged about talking about any and everything, giving Samantha more time to get to know her aunt and uncle and Mercedes a chance to get to know those two cute little kids she never got to know. Sam sat back and watched his siblings and daughter interact while including Mercedes as well, he was happy and knew this is everything he'd ever want but there was still one thing he needed to discuss with Mercedes and right as he was about to get her attention her phone rang and she walked out to take the call.

"Hey, there's an emergency at the restaurant… I'm not sure how long I'll be there but I will meet you guys at the park since it's close to it anyway okay?" She asked and Sam nodded giving her a kiss before she walked out.

"Well guys it's just going to be us until Merce can join us, so how about we get dressed and run to get some stuff to play with at the park?" Sam asked the kids and they just nodded excitedly before going off to get dress, Sam attempted to help Samantha but she was firm in dressing herself.

"I'm ready!" Samantha shouted from her room and Sam went to see what she picked out and had to hold in laughter.

"Very you, come on rockstar." He said grabbing her hand and walking down stairs where Stevie and Stacey were waiting.

"Hey no need to take us home after, Finn's going to pick us up from the park… just in case Cedes can't come." Stacey said smiling.

"You two are smarter than I give you credit." Sam said impressed that they did that but also feeling bad that they had to do it.

They were at the park for a long time before Mercedes was able to get a second to call Sam and let him know she would be while longer but promised try and make it. The kids bought random things to entertain themselves and even played with other kids while Sam sat and thought about everything that had transpired and he knew what he needed to talk to Mercedes about was going to either be more damaging to their newly formed relationship or strengthen it but he couldn't hold off any longer.

"Hey Finn's here, tell Cedes we'll see her next time." Stacey said taking Sam from his thoughts and he stood up nodding.

"Yeah, it was good seeing you kiddos." Sam said hugging them both and smiling when they both hugged Samantha promising they would come back over again before they both ran off. Sam gathered their things and grabbed Samantha's hand as they walked back to his truck. Sam was laughing at her rambling about how much she liked Stevie and Stacey when he frozen and looked down at Samantha with a worried look.

"Daddy who is she?"

"I'm your grandmother sweetie."

"My grandma? Daddy she doesn't look like grandma.." Samantha whispered and moving back slightly.

"I know little bit she's my mom, so that makes her your grandma too." Sam said trying to hold back his anger for his his mother injecting herself yet again.

"Why wasn't she at my party then? Grandma and grandpa was there."

"Well that's a long story but I hope to be at your next one." Mary said smiling at the little girl. She was beyond beautiful and she hated herself for ever letting all those thing happen because she missed out on getting to know her granddaughter.

"Mom what are you doing here? I told you that when I felt it was okay you-"

"Sam, what's going on?" Mercedes asked before noticing Mary kneeling in front of Samantha.

"Merce before you-"

"Samantha get in the car." Mercedes said grabbing their daughter's hand and helping her into her seat before closing the door.

"I thought we agreed this wouldn't be happening until we were both ready, until I spoke with her first!"

"Mercedes I didn't know she was going to be here."

"Yet you still entertained her presence! What did you say to her?" Mercedes said looking at Mary.

"I told her I was her grandmother."

"You.. you are Not her grandmother. You don't get to just walk into her life and make those proclamations with talking to me first!" Mercedes said through gritted teeth.

"Merce she technically is her grandmother." Sam reasoned.

"Yeah? Then where the hell was she when I needed her to know about you? Huh? When she needed a piece of you huh?" She said getting choked up Sam moved closer to her but she held up her hand shaking her head.

"Mercedes maybe it's time to let her in?"

"YOU WANT ME TO LET HER IN? When the fuck did she ever let me in? Why am I always having to make the first move! You can have your mother but until I can trust her and you, we will not be around her."

"She needs to get to know her Mercy."

"She had five years 9 months and a few days to do that. I'm not asking you to choose but if you're going to go behind my back and have sneak visits with her and my baby then you can only see her when she's in my presence."

"Your baby? SHE'S OURS! If I want OUR child to be around her grandmother then she will be around her and you will get over it!" Sam said raising his voice for the first time ever at her.

"Oh really? I guess the Apple doesn't fall that far from the tree." She replied shaking her head.

"Wait Mercedes I didn't mean to-"

"No you meant what you said and that's okay because I nor Samantha will bend to you or your mother." She said walking back to her car and getting in then pulling off without a second glance.

SOOOOOOOOOO... Yes I left it on a cliff hanger and the next chapter will be up soon!