September
Asia's birthday was a very intimate affair, paddling with Lathan in the pool, a four course dinner at Providence, an hour on social media listening to family and friends best wishes, a song from Alex; which everyone joined in on, and cake served while they watched Hamilton on a big screen in the garden while sipping virgin cocktails for some.
The following week they were finally at school, the first day was daunting for Asia, she'd been to school before, but the main topic of conversation was generally about horrid teachers, fit guys and oversized trainers. These kids were talking about lessons, parties and sex, she was well outside her comfort zone, to think she was 16 with a baby and she couldn't even join in with simple conversations about parties, she'd never really been to one, a quick reality check, told her that Lathan hadn't treated her right at all.
Grant was settling in as well as could be expected, he'd become accustomed to passing through so he knew how to be popular, he was used to making friends and did a pretty good job of making Asia seem like she fitted in. They'd managed to get a few of their lessons together, and were referred to as the creepy Cullen's, by some because they fled as soon as school was done, they weren't about to tell everyone their business.
It took them just over a week to get a bit of a routine going, enough for Sam to agree to them getting the bus, they'd drop Lathan off at the nursery, grab the school bus just down the road from it, to get to school, split off for lessons and meet up to have lunch together everyday. At the end of their day, they'd picked Lathan up, sometimes they'd drop in at the studio, sometimes grab a cab to the university, and on Fridays they'd stop off at the studio to watch his Dad on set, they were acting like a family unit.
Alex joined them to hangout, when he wasn't working, Asia was glad Grant and he had become friends, of course Alex had given Grant the big brother speech, and through that they'd formed some sort of respect. They were in the studio waiting for her Mom to finish some deal, Grant and Alex were messing around with a song
Grant: Girl don't you worry, the world is a dangerous place, but I'm gonna keep you safe, yeah
Alex: Girl don't you worry, if all of the doors should close, you know I'm gonna pull you close yeah
Grant, Alex & Asia: And if you're losing your mind, imagine me by your side, I'll be your happy pill tonight, ooh
And if you're losing your way, and feel like you're bout to break, I'll be the happy pill you take
'Happy Pill' by Common Kings
"You need to stop" Alex pointed at the camera "And she can hear you"
"And?" Asia asked
"You know your Dad's against it until Lathan's older"
"You didn't tell me that" Grant looked at her shocked, he wanted her to hear more than sing along with them, Alex had warned him he was slipping into the friend zone, it seemed he was right
"Mom will be cool" she fanned him off
"Mom will not be cool, if Dad said something, it goes girl, you know that" Mercy walked into the mixing room telling her, a smile on her face
Just over a week later Grant finally plucked up the courage to ask her out on a date, to the parents they'd just gone out for bowling and a pizza but it was a date, which ended with a kiss and followed thereafter with lots of cuddles. They were sat on the couch one evening earphones in listening to some song Grant had made up, when Sam walked in earlier than expected
"What's happening here?" Sam asked
"Uncle Sam" Grant flicked Asia off his lap and sat up "We were just chilling, listening to some songs"
"What was the song?" he looked at Asia
"He wrote it" she looked into her Dad's eyes, she'd seen that look on a man before, when she'd told Mason about Lathan he'd given her the same exact look of disappointment and disapproval "Why can't Dad's just trust their daughters?" she shouted at him, before running off
"What just happened?" Sam asked Grant
"It's a guess, but maybe she thinks you don't trust her" he looked at Sam smiling "Do you want me to go?" he pointed in the direction Asia had run off in
"No" Sam threw his briefcase down "I'll go" he knocked and walked into the study before she answered "What's up this time?"
"You, with that look of disappointment" she hissed at him, crossing her hands in front of her angry
"It's actually a look of out my depth" he chuckled "You know your Mom and I were 15 when we had you, I of all people know about love at your age" he grabbed her arm, watching her hands flop open "Everything is a first for me, for us, so I'm not going to get it right all the time, Grant's a nice guy, I was just a bit shocked"
"So you like him?"
"He's alright" he smiled "Don't push it" he kissed her forehead and left the room
October
"Hi" Mercy smiled at Sam walking into the studio dripping wet, he hadn't said he was coming in, but it was a nice surprise
"Sam" Angelo smiled knocking fists with him
"Angelo"
"To what do I owe this wet pleasurable visit?" Mercy walked towards him, kissing him before he could answer
"I can drop in, can't I?"
"Sure" she looked at him suspiciously "You need to talk"
"Not necessarily talk, but I need to say something" he smiled
"Did something happen? Is Asia alright? Lathan?"
"Everyone's fine" he giggled
"Hey" Mercy looked at Angelo "Can we pick all this up tomorrow?"
"Sure" he rolled his eyes, grabbed his jacket, and left
"What do you think about this beat?" she turned it up, having been excited about it a few minutes ago
"It's a good beat, are you working on something new?"
"Yeah, I just feel ready to get back out there" she turned it down, and spun around to look at him "What's up?"
"Us basically" he smiled "Not in a bad way" he read the reaction on her face "It's raining" he looked at the door
"I guessed that" she giggled
"And I thought we could go to that bus stop across the road"
"In the rain?" she held her head
"It never stopped us before, please?"
"Okay" she grabbed her jacket ready for a trip down memory lane "So, what's up?" she turned to look at him when they got across the road
"I'm bringing that conversation again, I know what you're going to say, but I feel if I keep it off the table long enough, you might just think that I'm okay to settle for what this is right now"
"Sam I..."
"Let me finish please Mercy" he held his hand up "I've loved you since I was 13 years old, you knew about it when we were 14, it took everything I had in me to approach you at our bus stop that morning, to be honest I was glad it was raining so you wouldn't be able to see me cry when you rejected me" he laughed "Thankfully you didn't. The day I asked you to be my person, and you said yes, I meant for life, I'm sorry if that didn't come across on the day, but I just thought I needed to confirm that conversation with you today, so you know this isn't a today proposal, back then it was a forever proposal and it still is. As a matter of fact I think I've always thought of you as my wife, I really want you to be, I wish you'd say yes so I could…" she dived at him and kissed him hard
"Let me finish" she looked up at him "I lied to you" she sighed resting her hand on his chest "That day at the bus stop, I couldn't believe all my dreams had materialised" she giggled "My beats began because of you, I was nervous as hell, I'd dared to dream when I was 13 years old that the cute boy around the corner could ever see me, you were so popular, and I didn't know if you talked to me for a bet, or if you really wanted to know me, but I so wanted to know you, Sam Evans" she looked into his eyes "And even now, I still want to know you"
"Is that finally a…?"
"Yes Sam" she giggled "It's finally a yes" they stood wrapped in each other, smiling at moving on, going forwards, and finally agreeing they were going to do that together. The rain beating against the shelter finally grabbing their attention, he grabbed her hand and made it back across the road to the studio.
"Listen" he pulled her to him when they got back "It was too wet out there" he laughed "I brought this the day before we told our parents" he handed her a ring box "Obviously it's cheap but if you want to change it.."
"It's perfect" she took the gold band with three sparkling diamonds in it
"Should we try and get everyone together next week, and announce this properly?" he asked
"We need to tell Asia first"
"I spoke to her already" he laughed "I was nervous"
"I can't believe I just owned up to crushing on you since I was 13 years old" she laughed
"Did you miss my confession?" he laughed
"No" she stopped to look at him "I love you, Sam Evans"
"Oh my God" he pulled her into him, squeezing her tight "My hearts fit to bursting with love for you"
A Week Later
It had been a busy week, Blaine and Kurt had decided to plant some roots, they were searching for somewhere to live in LA, with Mercy's connections that happened within days, which meant they were all busy helping with planning, for moving, decorating and a party, it had all started at the same time. Sam had planned it just right, it was the half term holidays so everyone was able to get there, the tickets were all booked.
Asia had definitely got her planning gene's from her Dad, Mercy wanted a quiet family only thing at the house, with finger food and drinks, to which everyone had initially agreed, but by day two of preparation everything changed. The guest list had grown from just family to Mercy and Sam's friends flying in, everyone and their partners from the studio, a few celebrities, and one tabloid. The intimate family celebration had to be moved to the large function room at the studio and everyone booked into the nearby hotel for the weekend to be together. Before anything called breathing happened, there were dress fittings, matching shoes and suddenly there was a theme to the evening, everyone was coming as royalty factual or fictional and the romantic engagement party was ready to go by end of play on Thursday, and then it was Saturday
"Morning" Sam smiled laying watching her wake up "Today's the day"
"Yeah" she stretched, her hand pulling his head in for a kiss "Today's the extravagant day" she corrected him
"You're worth it" he smiled moving away
"Wait" she pulled him back "I have a present for you" she smiled "I searched my mind trying to find something to celebrate our day" she fluttered her eyelashes at him "I checked out what people usually get their spouses in the 17th year, and found out it was furniture, would you believe that?" her eyes widening at the find
"No" he giggled
"And well we just brought ours, and I love every piece, so I decided not to change anything, you'll be pleased to know" she giggled "But I did find" she stretched over her side of the bed to pick something up off the floor "This, well I didn't find it, I had it made" she gave it to him
"Thank you" he took the heavy object and looked at the wrapping before opening it "Mercy" he laughed at the wooden statue of two people doing doggy style with a wooden mirror in front of them showing sex faces "This is furniture?" he laughed
"It's a door stopper, or I like to think of it as an action starter" she giggled "I thought you could put it on your side of the bed, remind you to make sure Cedes is alright every morning" she giggled
"You are crazy" he laughed "I know what Cedes needs"
"Yeah but I thought a visual wouldn't hurt"
"Somethings going to hurt, get in there" he watched her jump up "Let's get this tradition started" the present found it's pride of place under their bathroom sink, they eventually grabbed their weekend bags and left for LA, ready for the masses
"Mom, Dad" Asia tapped the door "Are you decent?"
"Yes we are, what are you suggesting?" the door swung open to a laughing Sam
"Dad" she giggled "I wanted a serious word before the party"
"A serious word?" Mercy's head swung round paying attention "What's up?"
"Don't be angry" she walked into the room
"What's happened?" Sam asked concern on his face
"Nothing's happened, but I want something to happen"
"With Grant?" Mercy asked
"No" she giggled "Just listen, please" she sat on their bed "Pretty soon, you guys are going to be married, I want, no I need to feel a part of that" she looked from one to the other as she spoke "I want to change my name, I want to be an Evans too, and Lathan"
"Don't you think we should talk to Jane and Mason first?" Mercy asked
"Don't you want to give me your name?"
"Yes" Sam quickly told her "Of course we do, we'll look into it and get it set up"
"Sam" Mercy looked at him worried for the promise he was making
"We'll check out all the legalities first, I promise" he told her
"Okay, sweetheart go get ready" Mercy told her, they stood watching her leave "What do you think?"
"I want it to happen" he smiled
"So" she looked at him taking her phone out "I'll call my friend at the government office, and see if she can fit us in for Monday"
"You have friends in office?"
"I let her brother use the studio for free a few times, and she was grateful, I guess I'm calling that in" she laughed
"Okay" he watched her making the call, smiling at her success
"Ready?" Asia banged on their hotel door asking, it was five minutes to 7pm and she had a schedule
"Yep" Mercy got up
"Perfect" Asia smiled, as they opened the door, watching "King Agnarr, Queen Iduna and.." she spun round "Elsa" she curtsied "The perfect family"
"Come on lets go" Sam laughed
The Party
The parents were first to arrive, Mary and Dwight came as Clarisse and King Kong while Annette and Neville came as Guinevere and Arthur, Sam and Mercy stood at the door making sure to give everyone a personal welcome as they entered, champagne the tipple of the evening, served on entry. They were closely followed by Ryder, dressed as Aragon, Marley as Hippolyta with Amy and Adam dressed as mini them, then Jake or Black Panther made and entrance with Kitty; the Red Queen, Jake whispering in Sam's ear she'd turned up because she heard it was being televised
"It's not" Sam quickly corrected him
"We know that, but she's going to find that out, and I'll leave her ass here if she decides to perform about it" Jake laughed
Artie; Jon Snow, and Quinn; Daenerys came, surprising everyone with their baby bump, while Sam was more than happy to see Matt; King George, finally make the trip to support him, smiled at Brittany; dressed as The White Queen, finally being all loved up "Great to see you" he grabbed hold of his friend
"I came to thank you"
"Thank me?" Sam asked shocked
"Yeah, it seems her baby grew up and left home, and now she wants another one" Matt laughed
"Congratulations" Sam laughed "It's great having a little one in the house"
Blaine and Kurt had gone to collect Rachel from the airport, Mercy was on edge, the girl had been the only friend she'd made at school, she wasn't a nerd or even ugly, just annoying and that had been enough for her not to be popular. She wasn't even the kind of girl that wanted to be in a group, she was as individual as Mercy was, but right now Mercy was wriggled with guilt about the whole relationship, truth be told she hadn't thought about the girl for a second past the first week after she'd left Lima, she'd been totally self consumed.
"Hi" Tina; Queen Beryl, and Mike; King Ottmar, were suddenly stood in front of her smiling
"Sorry, Hi, I was miles away" Mercy hugged her friend "Thank you for coming"
"Where else would we be" Mike hugged her
"Mercedes" Rachel; dressed as Cersei screamed from across the room running towards her "You haven't even changed, still looking as innocent as ever" she hugged her tight "I've thought about you so many times, and when Blaine told me he'd connected with Sam again, and you were with him, I just had to come and celebrate this happy ending" she looked at Sam "Sam" she smiled hugging him too. They weren't ever close at school, but although he'd never said it, on that day, he was grateful for her passing on Mercy's note
"Rachel" he smiled as he hugged her back "Nice to see you again"
"After all this time, I bet you're still the pick of the litter"
"For me yes" Mercy smiled grabbing Sam's arm
"This is Joe; dressed as Joffrey of course, my husband and Bree our daughter, or Queen Leah for tonight" she looked behind her "We're staying at the hotel with Blaine for a few days after this, it's been a while, we thought we'd make it a family outing"
"Hi" Sam stretched his hand out to greet them, followed by Mercy, before hugging Blaine; dressed as King Hamlet and Kurt; as King of hearts "Okay everyone who we need to be here is here" he clapped his hands, watching Bree walking off to catch up with the others her age "Thank you all for being here with us, and getting into the theme, you know it's neither of our birthdays, and although Mercy is getting her new single on the way, it's not about that either" he laughed grabbing Mercy's hand "I proposed to Mercy in my head when I was 13 years old, I actually proposed to her when we were 14 and a week ago she finally said yes" he kissed her "I know" he laughed, looking at her
"What?" she asked smiling
"We're 31 years old, and still bothered about what our parents think when they see us kiss"
"I was thinking suck it up" she giggled, turning to see everyone stood clapping and sipping their champagne
"So, we're starting the night with food" he pointed at the dining room "We're here till 10pm and then it's over to the studio for a concert by Asia and friends" he smiled at his daughter
Everyone was catching up, Sam was given the responsibility speech by his brother, later on Neville secretly passed him the family crested wedding ring to give to his bride to be. Jake and Kitty seemed to be deep in conversation most of the evening, and, by the time they were leaving the hotel, they were holding hands, which Sam knew was a good sign.
The Studio
Finally stuffed to the gills, they all headed over to the studio, just a three-minute walk away from the hotel, the adults actually welcomed the cool breeze, they were all swimming in champagne. There were tables set out for couples to sit at, heart balloons and streamers everywhere, waiters, the stage dressed with microphones, musical instruments, lit with a single spotlight.
"This is beautiful" Mercy laughed at the very red and white room "I thought I'd never see red again"
"If it was left to me" Sam laughed "It's beautiful sweetheart" he hugged Asia stood waiting for the praise
Everyone was guided to their seats and provided with a drink, each table had favours for them to munch on, and a candle weight holding down a heart shaped balloon with their faces on
"Sam" Jake grabbed him at the bathroom door "Some good news"
"What's up, did you get that promotion?"
"Yeah no sweat" he laughed "But that's not it" he grinned "Kitty and I are renewing our vows at Christmas, we've been around a few today and finally decided on the Beverly Hills as the venue"
"Somebody's digging deep" Sam laughed "Congratulations again"
"There is this one thing though, it's actually on the 26th, I know that's your birthday and stuff, but I hope you guys can make it"
"We were planning on going to Lima, but I'll check in with Mercy, see if she's got anything planned for us, it's a random birthday, we can celebrate that anywhere"
"Feel those strings we were running away from getting tighter?" Jake laughed
"I'm totally up for this string" Sam laughed, looking at Mercy mingling
"Any dates set?"
"Not really, it's taken 17 years to talk her into this, I'll play the long game if she needs it"
"Asia's done you proud though" they looked around the decorated hall
"She has"
"What's this, single man's club?" Artie walked up behind them asking
"Not for long" Jake laughed, telling him his news
"Dude we're there" Artie laughed, happy with the news
"Okay everyone" Asia's voice came over the microphone
"I guess the shows starting" Sam told them everyone rushing off to find their seats
Eventually everyone settled in ready to watch the show "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mom and Dad" Asia smiled "I couldn't think of a present to buy for the parents who have everything, so I thought up this concert, show off some young talent, and have some fun in the process" she giggled "So we thought we'd take you back in time, it took us a while to get this" she laughed looking at her parents "So kicking off is Amy and Alex" she watched them get on stage before she left them singing their rendition of 'Dilemma' by Kelly Rowland & Nelly they were going back to when they were in school, everyone was up dancing
Grant and Asia came straight in to sing their version of 'No Air' by Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown everyone cheering at the memory dancing away, Grant cooled the whole thing down with his speech after the song paying homage to Sam and Mercy for their support while his parents were making their decision to settle down, trusting him with their daughter and grandchild, and being there for him no matter what.
"Asia asked me to say" he looked at her, now standing beside him "We can all paint our versions of what happened after the introductions, we've pretty much all been there" he smiled at Asia "But what we do know, is that out of that, Uncle Sam became a Professor in Music, Aunt Mercy became a world wide household name in the music profession, and to top it all off, went straight back to their beginning and found Asia, mighty memorable bus stop, I'd say" he laughed
"And that sort of sums up those 15 years" Asia spoke into the microphone giggling "And since we've been together I've seen and felt nothing but love from my parents" she rolled her eyes "I tell a lie, Dad's really strict, but he tells me it's because he loves us" she made everyone laugh "This next song is from the same era, but it's what I've seen over these 8 months just before the break" she looked around for Alex, Bree, Adam and Amy to join them on stage to deliver their choir like version of 'My Boo' by Usher & Alicia Keys
Alex: There's always that one person, that will always have your heart, you never see it coming, cause you're blinded from the start
Grant (Adam): Know that you're that one for me, it's clear for everyone to see, ooh baby, (You got to rock your way through this one, come on) you will always be my boo
Bree & Asia (with Grant): I don't know about y'all, but I know about us and uhh, (it's the only way we know how to rock)
Bree & Amy (with Alex): I don't know about y'all, but I know about us and uhh, (it's the only way we know how to rock)
Alex: Do you remember girl, I was the one who gave you your first kiss?
Adam: Cause I remember girl, I was the one who said "put your lips like this"
Grant: Even before all the fame and people screaming your name, girl, I was there and you were my baby
All: It started when we were younger and you were mine (My boo) now another brother's taken over but it's still in your eyes (My boo)
Even though we use to argue it's alright (My boo) (It's alright girl, that's okay), and if we haven't seen each other in a while but you will always be my boo
Asia: Yes I remember boy, cause after we kissed I could only think about your lips
Amy: Yes I remember, boy, the moment I knew you were the one I could spend my life with
Bree (Asia & Grant): Even before all the fame and people screaming your name, I was there (and you were my baby)
Guys: My ooh my ohh my ohh my ohh my-my boo, my ooh my ohh my ohh my ohh my boo
All (Alex): I don't know about y'all, but I know about us and uhh, it's the only way we know how to rock
I don't know about y'all, but I know about us and uhh, it's the only way we know how to rock
(It started when we were younger)
"Thank you" Sam mouthed to them all, while everyone clapped their efforts, it had brought them back to the time when he'd decided he was totally giving up being a rock star, because Mercy was definitely going to be a Diva and he was going to follow her to the end of the earth with their baby
"Cedes" Angelo called across catching her attention "There's our future"
"The second half of the show has a surprise announcement" Asia giggled watching everyone getting ready to use the comfort break, she looked at the door stunned, "Lathan" she gasped dropping the microphone
"What?" Sam head spun round searching the room, looking for his grandson "What's wrong with Lathan?" he shouted at her
"He's alright, he's here" Annette assured him
"No" Asia pointed to the door "Lathan" she told her Dad, unable to pull her eyes away from the guy "What are you doing here?" she watched him walking towards her
"I saw you in the papers and I had to find you" he smiled up at her
"Lathan?" Sam stood looking at this, lightly tanned man, he wasn't a boy, with devilishly deep blue eyes, short stubble, unshaped around his mouth and jaw, tattoo's all up the right side of his neck creeping up his face and a red tear tattooed at the side of his left eye. He looked like he'd just rolled out of bed, or some sleazy drug den, his eyes still half closed from the shock of being woken
The background music started, Grant stood concerned about the look on Asia's face "Babe what's the matter?" it was clear he hadn't heard what she'd said. Sam didn't know where to look Grant was calling his daughter babe, while Lathan's Dad was stood there looking like an extra in a drug raid scene, their entire family was sitting there, this was being reported on, and he could feel Mercy's eyes piercing into him begging for action.
"Grant" Asia looked at him, holding her hand out for him to grab "This is Lathan's Father" she pulled him close before Lathan could get to her
"Lathan this is Grant, my very new significant other" she looked around the room "That was our present to you guys" she looked at her parents, Grant looked at his "We finally decided, we're getting serious"
"That's a present?" Sam asked sitting down bewildered
"Can we talk?" Lathan asked at the same time, neither he nor Grant acknowledging the introduction
"Go on" Grant encouraged her
"Can we go to one of the studio's Mom?"
"Sure, use two" Mercy's heart going out for her daughter, watching the pain in her eyes as she looked back at Grant, she was just finding her confidence in a relationship again, for it to be tainted by this
"I'll take Lathan to the hotel, he's tired anyway" Grant watched them disappear before jumping down off the stage and walking over to Annette to get the boy
"Sit down" Blaine snapped at him "You're going nowhere" he told him, looking across at Sam and Mercy "Did you know they were getting serious?" he asked
"We just heard" Sam told him "Did that prick just tell us he was about to defile our daughter" he leaned in to whisper in Mercy's ear
"I think that's what we just heard about our 16 year old daughter with an 8 month old baby" Mercy laughed at Sam's apprehension to take on board Asia had travelled that road before
"You alright son?" Blaine frowned in acknowledgement of his son's hurt
"I don't know what's going on in there" Grant told him looking at the door
Sam turned to Mercy hissing mad grabbing her hand "I want to kick that Lathan's freaking head in" he huffed "He looks like a grown man"
"I know how you feel, but only start kicking if Asia gives permission" Mercy reminded him
"Her choice, I know"