Disclaimer: I own nothing but the mistakes as always.

Chapter 10

Mercedes

With everything that was going on with Sam and Stace I decided I needed someone to use as a sounding board. Tina was great, but I needed a second opinion, a male's point of view. I thought about my Uncle Cam, but quickly ruled him out. He didn't know the first thing about relationships.

My next best option was my dad. The problem with that was I'd have to see my stepmom. I hadn't talked to her since our last phone call. I didn't have anything to say to her, and clearly, she didn't have any intentions of apologizing. Maybe I'd get lucky and she wouldn't be home.

I pulled into my parents' driveway. My stepmom's car was nowhere in sight. Either it was in the garage or she was gone. Fingers crossed that it was the latter. I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. Luck was not on my side today. My stepmom was on the other side of the door when it swung open.

Her nose was turned up in the air. I hoped that something would fly up inside of it. That would teach her to stick her nose up at people. I wished there was some way I could get past her without speaking, but I knew that wasn't happening. One, I wasn't rude and two she had to know everything that went on in 'her house'. I felt bad for my dad living with her, but he did it to himself I supposed.

"Stepmother, is Dad here?" Better to keep our interaction as short as possible.

She looked me up and down with. Her mouth pulled into a frown.

"Why?"

For real lady? What the heck did she think I wanted?

"I need to talk to him."

"Is your phone broken?"

How was I supposed to love this woman? How did I survive in her home for eighteen years when she hated me so much?

"No, I just haven't seen him in a while. I figured it would be just as easy to drop by."

"A phone call to let us know you were coming would be cordial, Mercedes."

There was no us in this equation, I wasn't here to see her, but I didn't say that.

"Okay," was all I said.

I couldn't make myself apologize for something so insignificant. This was my childhood home. Most of the people I knew were welcome in their parents' house whenever they wanted. I guess that was when you had a healthy and normal relationship with them.

"He's out back working on something in the shed."

I gave her a quick nod and slipped past her into the house. I made my way through the house to the back door. I was happy that my dad was out back. I preferred it to being inside. The house never had a homey feel to me. We always had to be quiet and careful growing up because my stepmother didn't like noise and didn't want her perfect house to be ruined.

When I reached the door of the shed, I heard the sound of an old Motown song playing. My dad loved music, and he instilled that same love into my brother and I. Some of my best childhood memories were when he would sneak us out to go get ice cream. We'd sing along to his old tape collection and eat our ice cream in the parking lot of the ice-cream shop.

I slid the door open and saw my dad hovered over something on the workstation.

His baritone voice sang along with the song. This must be how my dad stayed married to my stepmom. He escaped down here to get away from her crazy. He looked up from what he was doing.

"Hey, Sweet Cede, what a pleasant surprise."

My dad's face lit up and his arms opened inviting me into them. I made my way quickly to my dad and buried my face into his shirt. I allowed the comfort of his embrace to wash over me. This was exactly what I needed.

When we were released from our hug, I already felt a little better.

"What brought my favorite daughter to see me?"

"I'm your only daughter." I rolled my eyes and laughed at my dad's age-old joke.

"Well, then there is no disputing it now is there?"

"You're crazy, Dad."

"You may be right about that Sweet Cede."

I went to the mini fridge that my dad had out there and grabbed a water bottle. I sat in one of the old plastic chairs he used to sit and drink beers with his friends when their wives were inside talking about goodness knows what.

"Penny for your thoughts or are they worth a Mercedes Benz?"

My dad was so corny. He used any excuse to use a pun on my name.

"Dad, how did you know you loved my biological mom?"

My dad's face lit up and a smile played on his lips.

"You know your mother was a tough nut to crack. The first time I met her she blew me off something terrible. I was out cruising with my friends one night. We parked at this little, abandoned parking lot that the teens used to hang out at. Your mother happened to be there with some of her friends." My dad let out a little laugh, "She was gorgeous. I was a cocky guy back then, so I walked right up to her and told her she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen and asked her on a date."

"What did she do?"

"She laughed right in my face. I was crushed, but I also knew that I wasn't going to give up. I think I knew I'd marry her one day from that first encounter."

"She said no though."

"I've never been one to let the word no stop me. I kept going back to that lot every weekend. I brought her a single rose back the next time. She rolled her eyes, but she accepted it. We talked, and I got to know her a bit. Each time I'd bring her something small that represented something I learned about her the week before. Finally, I wore her down, and she went on a date with me. I was already in love with her by then."

"Did you feel the same way about my stepmom?"

"I never told you before but when your mom died a piece of me died. It wasn't right to have my parents and your mother's parents raise you and Manny. I was using work to escape my loss and every time I saw your face, I was reminded of your mother. When your nana suggested I hire a nanny, I did it and made sure I picked someone who would do an excellent job. Your stepmom was a nurse and was more than qualified to look after you. She treated you like you were hers. Watching her love you so much made me love her. It wasn't what I had with your mother but it opened my heart up to love you without crying in pain from my loss and although I detest how I let her view you as competition after I started loving you the way a father should, it was too late I had married her without a prenup, and she always would bring my parents in it and the church whenever I brought up divorce. I just spend as much time out here and at work, so I don't have to deal with her insanity too much."

"You guys seem content even though you are both so different."

"We are Cedes. I know your stepmom can be a little rough around the edges. She didn't have the best upbringing you know. I think that made her a little hardened to life. She is materialistic and vain because she grew up with nothing, but her intellect to get into nursing school and she was able to make something of her life. She tries so hard to measure up to your mom, but she feels that everyone who knew her thinks that she is severely lacking. I tried to get her to get counseling, but she believes Jesus can fix everything. She tried to be a mom to you and Manny and failed miserably. She tries to be a good wife to me, and I just resigned myself to letting her. There are different types of love and different types of marriages. I was afraid and probably and still am afraid to love anyone like I loved your mom. So I am satisfied to stick it out with your stepmom Roz."

I was quiet for a few minutes thinking about what my dad said. I thought I loved Sam, but I was worried about Stace. It seemed like she didn't want me in the picture, and he was so protective of her. I didn't want to come between them, but I also wanted things with me and Sam to work.

"Is this about that young man you brought with you to the dinner?"

"Yes."

"Listen Cedes, I didn't get to tell you, but I'm embarrassed and sorry about what your stepmother did. I didn't know she invited Anthony. I kicked him out as soon as I came in and realized he was here. I talked to your stepmother about it. I let your stepmother know what she did was wrong, and I made sure she knew never to do something like that again.. She is my wife, but you are also my baby girl and I won't let anyone willingly hurt you."

I felt tears threatening at the corner of my eyes. I blinked, trying to stop them from coming, but it was useless. I swiped at my eyes dabbing the wetness.

"Thank you," came out of my mouth in a whisper.

It felt so good to know that I did have someone in my corner. My dad was becoming stronger, and he was now supportive and taking up for me with my stepmother, and I needed this.

"Now tell me more about your guy."

"He's so sweet, dad. He started as my personal trainer, but he has turned into so much more."

"Does he treat you well?"

"He does."

"Do you love him?".

Leave it to my dad to get straight to the point. I knew the answer, but it was still hard to say.

"Yes, I think so."

"Does he love you?"

"I don't know, we haven't talked about it."

"Huh."

"He has a sister that just showed up after several years. She was supposed to be going into rehab for drug usage, but she managed to talk Sam into letting her stay with him after only a week."

"That doesn't sound good, Cedes."

"I don't think it is either. Their parents died when they were young and he was always her rock. I think that she might be taking advantage of him. He doesn't want to upset her or push her away. For the sake of her not leaving again he will do pretty much anything she asks."

"He's an enabler like I was with your stepmom especially with her driving you and Manny away from here."

"Exactly! I don't think she likes me being around. She either ignores me or she interrupts any plans that Sam and I may have. I don't know what to do or think. I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but I care about Sam, too."

"It sounds like his sister may be jealous of you. Could feel threatened by your relationship with him. She could think you're trying to take her place, but what she doesn't realize is that there is room for both of you in his life. You would never ask him to turn his back on her, but she doesn't know you so maybe she's scared. Have you thought about inviting her to lunch to get to know each other and talk about things?"

It seemed so simple. Why hadn't I thought about it myself?

"No, I hadn't. That's exactly what I'll do. Maybe if we can clear the air, she'll see me as a friend and an ally."

"That's my girl. Once she knows you, she won't be able to help but love you."

I got up from my chair and hugged my dad tight. Thankful for the close relationship we had.

"Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too, Sweet Cede."

I left my childhood house feeling a lot better. I had a plan in mind of what I was going to do about Stace. I hoped it would work. Once she got to know me I hoped we could be friends. I wasn't trying to take Sam from her, and I thought that making that clear to her may help with our relationship.

I used the Bluetooth in my car to call Sam as I head back home.

"Hey Babe," he answered sounding out of breath.

"Hey, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I was just catching a workout with one of the guys I work with. What's up?"

"I wanted to see if you had some time this evening. I want to talk to you about something."

"Ok, sure. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little worried that you want to talk about something. It sounds like you want to have the talk."

"Oh crud, no I should have worded that better. I don't want to have the talk. You can't get rid of me that easily."

I could hear him release a breath on the other end of the phone.

"I get off of work at six today. I can come by your house after."

"That will work. I'll see you then."

"Alright baby, see you then."

Was it weird that I wanted to squeal like a schoolgirl when he called me baby? I had a goofy smile on my face that I couldn't wipe off if I tried. I didn't think I'd ever get used to it, but I sure loved it.

When six rolled around I started to feel butterflies in my stomach. I knew that it wouldn't be long before Sam got to my house. I decided to cook a surprise candle lit dinner and this time I would be sure that he ate.

At six twenty-five there was a knock at the door. I went to let him in.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself," he said pulling me in for a kiss.

"I missed you today," he mumbled against my lips.

"I missed you too."

He leaned his forehead against mine and looked into my eyes.

"We're pathetic."

I laughed.

"Yep, I think we are."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward my little dining room.

"I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise, huh? What kind of surprise?"

"This," I said standing in the opening of my dining room. The table was set with my best dishes. They were just some pretty plates I found at Target, but they matched. I had two large candles in the center of the table and then small tea candles scattered across the table.

Sam wrapped his strong arms around me.

"This is awesome, Cedes."

His lips lightly touched my ear as he spoke sending a chill through my body. I allowed my head to rest back on him.

"I thought you may be hungry after a long day of work. You never got to eat the last time you were here."

"I got to eat plenty." He winked down at me, "I am hungry, but not just for food."

He nibbled at my ear and neck making my pulse race.

"You need to eat your dinner first mister and if you clean your plate, maybe you can have dessert."

"Um, sounds delightful."

We enjoyed our meal. Talking about a little of everything. At the end of the meal, I decided it was time to bring up me having lunch with Stace. I thought he wouldn't mind, but I still wanted to run it by him. Stace was in a fragile situation with her road to recovery, and I didn't want to overstep my bounds.

"So you know I wanted to talk to you."

"Yeah, I remember. What did you want to talk about?"

"How about we take our drinks and talk on my patio?"

We were both indulging in a glass of wine. Sam was sticking to one small glass because he had to drive home. I was on my second, and last, because I had to work in the morning. The last thing I needed was a hangover.

Sam settled into a seat and motioned for me to sit on his lap. Anthony had never been openly affectionate. Sitting on his lap would have never happened. He would've been more inclined to make a comment about my weight or the size of my butt. I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind and remember that Sam was nothing like him. I wanted to experience what a real relationship was like when the other person actually cared about you.

I moved over to him and slowly sat down. I kept my feet on the ground trying to keep some of my weight distributed off of him. Sam took his arm and snaked it under my legs and turned me so that my legs were laying across his.

"Sweetheart, I don't like to brag, but I'm about 200 pounds of muscle. You can't hurt me. I want to be able to hold you."

It was like he read my mind and crushed my doubts all in the same second. I loved the way he made me feel. The way he was breaking down my stinking thinking about myself.

"So now that we're comfortable go ahead and talk."

"I wanted to ask you about me taking Stace out for lunch. I thought if we got to know each other better, she may feel more comfortable around me. Right now it seems like she doesn't want me around. I wanted to run the idea by you first to get your thoughts."

"I don't think that she doesn't want you around. I think that this is all just new to her. It may take her time to adjust to treatment and being clean. Her whole world has been turned upside down. She'll come around, but I think that lunch would be a great idea. It may help her to know she has a friend that isn't me or Uncle Dwight."

I waited a few minutes before I answered, debating what to say. Should I point out how Stace acted around me? I decided to let things go for now.

"Okay, can you give me her phone number so I can set it up? If you wouldn't mind could you give her a heads up that I'll be contacting her?"

"Of course, babe."

I hoped Sam was right about Stace. I wasn't so sure about her wanting me around. Lunch would be a perfect way to feel her out. I'd already been through a bad relationship. I wanted to be with Sam, but if Stace was going to be a constant interference, I didn't think I'd be able to put up with it. I said a silent prayer that this would be the start of something good and not the end of the best thing that ever happened to me.

Sam

It was after eleven when I got home from Cedes. I felt a little off after our talk. I was happy that she wanted to reach out to Stace. I was feeling uneasy about the fact that she felt like Stace didn't want her around. I had noticed that Stace was acting a little odd around Cede, but I figured it was just because she didn't know her well yet. It had always been just her and I. We were the one person each other could depend on. Until she left.

I closed my eyes and laid my head against the seat of my car. I didn't want to think about that. She was back, and she was getting help. I felt confident that things with Cede and Stace would get better. They had to. I loved my sister, and I loved Cede. My head shot up from the seat and I jerked back forgetting that I still had my seatbelt on. Did I just say I loved her? Did I love her? I'd never said those words to a woman or about a woman.

It was late, and I didn't want to delve too far into my emotions. I unbuckled my seatbelt and hopped out of the car. I saw lights on inside the house so I knew Stace was either up or fell asleep with the lights on. I tried to be quiet as I entered the house just in case. I sat my gym bag by the door not feeling like unloading it.

In the living room, I saw Stace lying on the couch sleeping with the T.V. illuminating her face. She looked so much like the little girl that used to climb into my bed when she was scared after our parents died. I couldn't understand how things got so bad with her. She knew that I would always be there if she needed me, but I guessed I wasn't enough. I wasn't enough to take her mind off of losing our parents. She ran to drugs and the streets. Logically I knew that wasn't my fault, but I felt partly responsible.

I kneeled down beside the couch and slightly nudged her shoulder. She didn't stir at first so I nudged her a little more and said her name softly. Her eyes opened into small slits before closing again. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands and opened them fully.

"Hey," she said. Her voice raspy from sleep.

"Hey, why don't you head on to bed?"

"I was trying to wait up for you, but I guess I must've fallen asleep."

"You didn't have to wait up for me, Stace. I went to see Mercedes after work."

She didn't say anything so I pressed on.

"How was your day?"

She sat up pulling her knees into her chest.

"It was good. I went to my group session. After that Uncle Dwight took me out for pizza. He offered for me to stay with him, but I wanted to come home."

"I'm glad you at least got to spend some time with him. I try to go over there a few times a week, but I know he gets lonely."

We sat and watched the T.V. for a few minutes. I wasn't paying much attention to what was on. It was one of those housewives shows. The women were arguing about something. I stared at the screen, but my mind was on Cede.

"Stace, when I went to Mercedes's house tonight she wanted me to talk to you about something."

She didn't bother looking from the screen to reply.

"Huh, what?"

"She wanted to have lunch with you one day."

This managed to get her attention away from the T.V.

"Why?" Her tone was apprehensive.

"She wants to get to know you better. She thought going to lunch together would give you guys a chance to talk."

"Are you going to be there?"

"No, it'd be just you girls. Like a girl's day."

"Why can't you come too?"

"I'm not a girl in case you hadn't noticed. Also, I think it would be good for you and Cedes to spend some time together one-on-one."

I debated on whether to elaborate further. I didn't want to create an issue out of nothing, but I did want my sister to know that she could be more open to Cede.

"Stace, you've been coming off a bit standoffish with Cede. I assume it has something to do with you not knowing her well. I think this would be good for you two. This will give you another person in your corner while you are recovering. I'm sure it would be nice to have someone that may want to watch these trashy T.V. shows you like with." I gestured to the T.V.

Stace crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't need anyone beside you and Uncle Dwight. It's not like you guys are married or even living together. I don't see a need to bond with her. I can act more cordial when she is around if you want, I guess. I didn't realize I was doing anything wrong."

I ran my hand through my hair and it drugged it down my face. It was late, and I didn't feel like arguing with my sister at the moment.

"I'm not saying you did anything wrong. I just want you to get along with my girlfriend. No, we don't live together and we aren't married, but this is the first woman I've been serious about in years. I don't see her going anywhere anytime soon. It would make my life easier if you got along."

Stace rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.

"Fine, I'll have lunch with her."

I reached across the couch and crushed her in a bear hug.

Stace squealed. "Sam, let me go you dork."

I released her, but not before I gave her a squeeze like I did when we were kids.

"Thank you, sis. This means a lot to me."

"Yeah, yeah.

We said our goodnights, and I went up to my room. I took off my shirt and shorts leaving me in my boxer briefs. I'd taken a shower before I left work leaving me just needing to brush my teeth before I slide under the covers. I pulled my phone out and typed a text to Cede.

Me: Hey love, I talked to Stace, and she's in for lunch. I want to buy lunch for you two so let me know when you plan on going. I hope you have sweet dreams. I know I'll be having dreams filled with you.