Thursday
Sam in Phoenix
"Babe, did they get there alright, how were they?" Sam asked over the phone, eager to find out how the girls were when Mercy left them.
"They were fine, happy" Mercy laughed at his worried face "How were the boys?"
"Crying" he laughed "Couldn't believe they were going to get some freedom for a weekend".
"As long as they know it's just for a weekend" she laughed'.
"Don't worry Santana and Mike will have them running around that much, they'll be crying to come back home" he laughed.
"So, I guess I'll see you on the ship?"
"Yeah, I should get there about 2pm"
"I'll be the one pretending to sleep" she giggled.
"I'll see you tomorrow" he laughed closing the call.
Catch Up
Santana & Mike
Adorable 8 year old Finn was a typical 18 year old opinionated, game playing, young man who felt put out for having to go to school and leave his PS5 on its own. Santana hadn't been lying back then, when she complained about Mike being too busy, over those first four years they'd put everything off to accommodate his work.
After moaning to her Dad who happily wasn't listening, she decided to confront her pressing issue with her man, dinner was set, ready for him, lights dimmed, music playing in the background, the mood was set "Shit Snix, please tell me we're not having this conversation again" he walked into the house rolling his eyes at the conversation he knew he was going to have again tonight.
"I could tell you that, but I'd be lying" she warned.
"But we already agreed…"
"No Mike, you agreed, you were busy, I agreed I wanted a baby" she stood next to his chair with her hand on her hip "Let me rephrase that" she smiled "It's a baby or a divorce, I'm not playing" she walked to the other side of the table giving her ultimatum.
"Let's talk about this" he smiled following her.
"Let's not" she stepped back, "Until you have an answer for me, I mean one that I want to hear".
They stood staring at each other for a while before Mike spoke again "I'll be away for work, a lot".
"That doesn't mean anything, it's not an excuse to say no"
Santana won that argument 3 years ago and now they had a little boy called Byron just under 2 and the apple of their family's eye,
Finn was probably relieved at not being the centre of attention anymore, but he loved his little bro with a passion. Santana had a difficult pregnancy, nearly hitting 40 was never going to be a trouble-free kind of pregnancy, in some cases her paediatrician had warned her, and it proved to be that for her, the vomiting started the day of conception. Then the heartburn kicked in a short while later, the aches and pains felt as if she had arthritis in every joint, and pretty soon she was depressed about how she looked, the clothes she wore, the pregnancy and that followed her into post-natal, she hadn't been the same since she'd conceived.
She was her best when Byron and Finn were around, Mike had asked on various occasions if Sam's boys could go over for even a weekend, but Mercy hadn't wanted them to be far from home until now. At 9 years old she was suddenly faced with the dilemma of staying at home with her boys or supporting her brother, Sam had managed to talk her into going. It didn't take more than a whisper to talk Mike and Santana into having the boys, so for the first time in 9 years they were getting the feel of Godparenthood.
End of Catch Up
Sam rolled his eyes at Mercy calling him straight back "What?" he laughed at seeing her inquisitive face come on screen again, knowing why she was calling back. He was meeting up with Matt and Mike in a bit, they were going for a drink later tonight, and although she trusted him, that picture of him kissing Brittany in that bar way back then, was always popping into her head at the mention of one or the other of them, which thankfully wasn't very often.
"Was she there?" he knew she was asking about Brittany.
"Find a mirror Mrs Evans" he ordered.
"Just call me when you get back to the hotel" she hissed.
"Come on babe, stop this, then there's you remember?" he whispered, getting closer to the phone "And you know I love you".
"I love you too baby, and I'm trying".
"I'll see you tomorrow, on the ship" he smiled "I'll try and call you before you get on the plane".
"Okay, bye"
"Bye" he smiled blowing her a kiss before she closed the call, carrying on his journey to Matt's house, smiling at his memory of the first time Mercy actually met Matt and Brittany just over 8 years ago.
Flashback
It was almost inevitable really, she'd played all that down at the weddings nearly 16 months earlier, maybe it was because she was pregnant and keeping it all under wraps, or maybe she was just too embarrassed to show her jealous, but she seemed fine when Santana mentioned they should all meet up when they were next in Phoenix.
Mercy was the one who suggested Santana and Mike be Godparents to Darius, and him not having any other names for the bag at that time, jumped at it, while giving that honour to Blaine and Kurt for Godparenting Asher. Mercy had been given the privilege of choosing for the girls, maybe because of the rough time they'd been through to get them here, he was just so in love with the peace their presence brought, she could do no wrong.
They'd got off the plane in phoenix and smiled at Mike stood waiting to pick them up "Hi" he'd hugged them, she was surprised at his familiarity, she'd only actually met him that once. Anyway, they said their hellos threw their bags in the trunk and made their way to their house, the private jet waiting to take them back early morning. "We thought we could go out get something to eat, have a drink and introduce you to Matt and Brittany" Mike casually slipped into their conversation.
"Yeah, sounds good" Mercy smiled, Sam looked in the sun visor mirror, he could tell everything about her response was false.
"I thought you said you were tired?" he looked at her sat behind him.
"I'll be fine, as long as we get some sleep first" she replied, looking into his eyes, knowing that was their sign for getting out of there are the first sign of trouble in their professional world.
"Great, Santana got a sitter specially" Mike breathed out hard "I know Bryon's nearly 2 but she's still kind of hormonal right now, postnatal depression" he nodded rolling his eyes at Sam "I really wouldn't want anything to upset that tornado" he laughed, Sam didn't want to even go there right now, he left that comment in the air.
They got to Santana and Mike's and walked in shocked to see Matt and Brittany sitting playing music at the grand piano "Hi" Santana jumped up walking towards them "It's really good to see you both" she turned to look at Brittany "Sam you already know them but, Mercy this is Brittany, and that's Matt her husband" she looked back at her friends still tapping at the piano.
Matt jumped up happy to see his old friend, it had been some years since they'd crossed paths, they were hugging each other, laughing, play punching at each other.
"Sam" Brittany smiled, getting up from the piano to get to him "It's great to finally see you again" she leaned into him "And you must be Mercy" she looked at Mercy stood next to him.
"Yes I am" her fake smile made its appearance and quickly turned to shock when Brittany hugged her.
"I've wanted to apologise to you for so long" Brittany whispered in her ear "I hope we get to talk later".
"Yeah" Mercy looked at Sam.
"Sorry to be a killjoy, could we catch up later?" Sam looked at Santana "Only Mike said we were going out later, and we just need to get some sleep before the night starts, we've come straight off a double night show" he told the room, seeing the familiar help me face on his wife.
"Yeah sure" Santana smiled walking off to show them their room.
"See you guys later" Matt called after them.
Santana showed them to their room, at the far end of the corridor, the airy room was facing the accessible garden through patio doors, with chairs and a small table enough for two. The bed big and inviting, the white sheets crisp, the pillows plump, just how they liked them "Babe, are you going to say your bit and get this over with?" he turned to her, when Santana left the room.
"No" she snapped "I think you should say yours" her stare cutting him in two, he hated that look, it made him feel naughty, even when he hadn't done anything, he felt like she was looking at him with hateful thoughts in her head she dared not bring out for fear of destroying what they had.
"Fuck Mercy, now I'm supposed to know what some woman, I haven't seen for over 11 years, is thinking about meeting me and my wife?" he hissed at her stood there unwilling to say anything "I don't know why she hugged me, there was nothing familiar about it, maybe that's something for you to ask her, you have the right to do that".
"Now I have rights?" her face broke into that familiar prank grin.
"Are you playing with me?" his face broke into an embarrassed smile.
"Not yet" she giggled "It's been three days".
"Mercy Evans" he laughed "You lied?"
"I have a right to do that, don't I?"
"If it's to get to me, I guess you do" he laughed walking towards her "I'm not going to be quiet" he warned.
"That's fine" she pushed him onto the bed "Because, I'm so fucking mad, and this is my party" she ripped his shirt off him.
"What are you mad about?" he grabbed her hands stopping them from ripping his trouser button off.
"She apologised to me, and wants to talk, can you fucking believe that?, the bitch thinks we're in some sort of competition" she popped the button off his trousers "Your fine ass caused that", she kissed him.
"I guess I do need to be punished, by your fine ass" he smiled "Please" he pulled her on top of him. Hours later Santana was knocking the door, telling them it was soon time to go out for dinner, they'd fell asleep at some point.
The evening was strange, they'd all sat around making small talk the guys getting into their school days, Santana and Brittany seemed to have made firm friends of each other and Mercy was sitting on the edges smiling at the multiple conversations. The only thing stopping her from getting up and walking out, was Sam's hand on her thigh rubbing it, telling her without words, he knew she was there, and keeping her calm at the same time. The guys got up to get a drink at the bar, Santana went off to the bathroom and Brittany saw her opportunity.
"Mercy" she smiled "I'm glad we're getting a minute to just clear the air between us" she looked at the guys at the bar "I had a two hour date with Sam one night after a video shoot, and I'm not going to lie to you, I saw potential for us, he was on my mind for a long while, I guess that's why I showed up at your wedding" she rested her hand on Mercy's arm "But then I met Matt and to be honest I don't pine for that relationship anymore, I just needed you to know, I'm no threat to your relationship"
"Thanks for putting my mind to rest" Mercy smiled, watching Santana come back to the table, the meal carried on, they asked Mike and Santana to be Darius's Godparents, happy when they accepted. The evening finished at around 3am when they grabbed their case and went back to the airport to get on their plane home.
Sam suspected nothing until they got on the jet, she'd made out like the whole day had been great, they'd achieved their goal, gave the invite to the planned Christening in 2 months, on their two son's 1st Birthday. But once the jet took off she went ballistic, it took him a while to work out what the problem was, she wasn't talking to him just having a hysterical meltdown, banging things around and talking loudly to herself.
"Babe" he finally grabbed her arms to stop her throwing things and sat her on his lap "Talk to me, what happened?" it took a while to calm her down but once he did she told him what Britany had said to her, he sat listening not only to the words that had been spoken but Mercy's interpretation of the conversation, it wasn't very often she was wrong, and to his knowledge, nothing or no one had ever affected her like this before.
The Christening happened and although they were both focused on the big day for the boys, Sam had another item on his agenda, he'd waited long enough and he was going to have to show the greatest restraint, but he had to do it today.
"Matt, Brittany" he looked around the garden to make sure Mercy was pre-occupied "Can we have a word?" he walked off without hearing their response, meaning for them to follow him.
"Everything alright?" Matt caught up with him asking.
"No" Sam snapped at him walking into the empty dining room and closing the door behind him "Brittany, my wife was in bits after the conversation you had with her in Phoenix, and I don't appreciate it".
"What did she say?" Matt asked him looking back at Brittany "What did you say?" he asked his wife.
"I believe misleading words like potential, on my mind, reminding her she showed up at our wedding that didn't happen, to put the fucking breaks on it, oh and the tone used when telling her you weren't a threat, meaning the exact opposite" Sam shouted.
"She got it all wrong" Brittany laughed "I was apologising".
"So now you're standing in our house telling me that my wife is the fucking liar?"
"Sam" Matt stepped to his friend "I didn't know any of this, you have to believe me".
"Matt, we talked for an hour or so, there was one kiss which I was comparing to Mercy's the whole time, and I walked away and left her sitting there to go after my wife" Sam told his friend.
"Britt this is so wrong, I'm so embarrassed" Matt snapped at her "Come on let's get out of here".
"Stay for the Christening" Sam told him "But I'm sorry dude, I want her out my house as soon as the ceremony finishes, she's toxic".
"We'll leave straight after" Matt agreed, dragging Brittany by her arm out of there, they stayed for the actual Christening but then headed home early.
"Babe, where's Matt and Brittany?" Mercy had asked halfway through the party.
"Emergency, they had to leave" he told her.
End of Flashback
The guys hadn't all managed to meet up again since that, but today, only Blaine was missing from the old crew, the guys were going to have a night to remember, rake up some memories and forget some of who they were for a few hours. They were hitting the VIP section of the local club before going back to Matt's to crash for a few hours until the flight in the morning.
Brittany was spending the night with Santana to give them some space, Mercy was eaten up about Brittany being around the boys and him being on a jolly in Phoenix, where Brittany was, she was fine when they were working there, but for whatever reason this visit had flipped her switch a bit.
"Hi" he heard bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Hi" he looked up smiling at Matt.
"Just grabbing extra snacks for later" he waved the full bag at his friends "I'm so ready for tonight".
"To be honest it's been a long while for me too, I don't get much time outside of the family and work".
"Be grateful you're busy my friend, start worrying when shit slows down".
"I guess that's true" Sam laughed "How are things for you?".
"Good I guess" he looked at his friend.
"You guess?" Sam asked concerned.
"Yeah" he half smiled "Brittany and I aren't doing so well these days, I don't think we're going to make it, this trip is a last ditch at it".
"So, she agreed to join you?"
"I don't think it was a choice she just added herself onto my ticket" he laughed.
"So, have you two decided what you want out of your relationship?" Sam asked shocked.
"I really don't think I want anything, I'm just not up for her shit" he huffed "I guess it was fun when we first started it, and who hasn't dreamt about a ménage à trois" he laughed "But then she doesn't always invite me to the party, and to be honest, I don't always want to be there".
"Three in a bed?" Sam gasped "Surely that shit only happens in porno and x rated movies?" he laughed.
"That shit is my life dude, and I need to get over it, when you start seeing your random at family functions, I think it's time to hang the hat".
"Sorry Dude, but I go fucking mad at seeing some bastard who I think is having thoughts about kissing Mercy, I can't register that shit" he looked at his friends "But I'm sorry to hear things have gotten so bad for you guys".
"Tonight's to forget about all of that and have some fun" Matt tapped Sam's shoulder "Mike will be around any time now" Sam rolled his eyes, half thanking whoever was above, that another sane person was going to be around, the other half of him wondering what was in store.
10pm on the dot Mike showed up, with beers and his suit in a bag "Let's get this party started" he laughed hugging his friends before throwing a beer in their hands.
With a couple of cans in the tank, Matt's idea of fun in his head, and no wives in tow, they were ready to go, why did they not know that Matt was going to bring down the tone of this men only fest. He'd invited a few ladies into their VIP room, but not before making sure that Sam and Mike had enough drink to let his shit slide. They sat watching him with the ladies, looking very at home with all the random half naked bodies lying all over him, his eyes begging them to join in.
The things he was doing making them laugh at his ridiculous, watching him pretending to be someone they knew he wasn't, with every pull of the joint they drank more, Sam and Mike's heads hit the back wall at the same time both jerking back to life at the feel of someone jumping on their lap, sobering them up quick. "What the fuck" Sam pushed a woman off him.
"Dude chill" Matt tried to calm him down.
"That's fucked up Dude, I'm fucking married, shit like this could lose me everything" Sam snapped at him.
Everyone looking at Mike as the girl that was on his lap fell to the floor at the force of his push "Very fucked up Dude" he snapped at Matt.
"This fucking shit is over" Sam told them getting up to leave "Come on" he looked at Matt, he could see none of them were in the mood for conversation he got up and left with them.
"Lightweights" Matt jeered them all the way home, Mike and Sam just looked at each other both understanding what Matt was all about, they'd all lit one up last night, but Matt's buzz seemed to go on for much longer than theirs. The look they shared confirmed they both knew he was a lot deeper into his shit than he was letting on, and just like that their relationships changed, their lives were such, they could really do without being tied into all that shit he was trying to bring.
"You're going on a trip with this dick?" Mike asked him.
"He didn't book with us, hopefully he's on the other side of the fucking ship" Sam told his friend "Shit" he rolled his eyes at the prospect of what might be in store for them all this weekend.
Goodnight" Sam yelled as soon as he got in, he didn't care which bed he was going into as long as it was alone, they'd got to stay there, but they really didn't want to have anything else to do with Matt.
"Hold up" Matt called after him "Just one last thing to share".
"What?" Sam asked, already on his last nerve with this guy walking around with serious drugs on him, and not warning them.
"Brittany booked herself into the cabin with me"
"What?" Sam couldn't catch his breath "We didn't..." he thought better of saying they hadn't even invited him in the first place, let alone agreed for Brittany to tag on, Mercy and he hadn't brought their tickets they had a right to go anywhere they wanted to, when they wanted to "Enjoy your holiday".
"I thought you two were having some time apart to figure out what was happening?" Mike asked puzzled.
"No" he laughed "Together, we want to see what we are together" Matt corrected him, Mike looked at Sam lost for words.
"Fuck it, I'm off to bed" Sam carried on walking towards the bedroom "Later"
"Yeah" Mike went up to him knocking fist "I've got to be out early in the morning, see you when you get back, enjoy" he cut his eyes at Matt "And you" he stretched his hand out to reach him
Sam found a room and lay in bed reflecting on the night, back in the day, he'd have been the one calling them lightweights, he wondered why that had all changed for him, when did he become this other person? He smiled remembering his wedding day, the vows he made and how much they meant, how they'd both fought for that day to happen, all their success was wrapped up in each other, they'd more than invested in this life together and maybe that was what had changed him.
He was missing his wife, it had only been a night and the feeling of being away from her, and it not being about work, felt alien to him, he lay spinning his ring on his finger, thinking about them being close, the smell of her, the humming of 'Make The Most' by Lonr & H.E.R coming naturally to sooth him to sleep
Looking at your smile, staring in your eyes, I could stay a while, feeling is a vibe, we pick up like we never even lost time
I could do this for days, I would run a thousand miles for you (I could do this many ways) but I'm a fall fast and dive with you
Wanna chase that, going crazy, I'm like, Oh my, but I'm laid back, got to save that, time to face facts, if you love me, girl, just say that
"I could feel this for years" he smiled rolling over to find sleep "That's the goal"
Mercy in Washington DC
Mercy sat looking at the phone wondering why she was suddenly feeling vulnerable, something was wrong, and it wasn't Sam so it must be Brittany. She'd never been big on that saying keeping your enemies close, she preferred to keep them as far away from her as she could possibly get them. For some reason she couldn't put her finger on this feeling, Brittany had let off a bad vibe on their first meeting, maybe that had set the tone for the way she viewed the woman. Sam had said look in that mirror she always reminded him about, and she was, but that dark mist on her left side just stayed there, telling her to always watch for growth, and today she was seeing growth.
Maybe it had something to do with that conversation they'd had, the words were what she'd expected, but the delivery didn't leave her with the confidence that she'd seen or heard the last of this woman, where her husband was concerned. This feeling right now was telling her shaken confidence, that the woman that had spoken to her that evening, had no code, Sam needed to be on his guard, and yes they were being put through yet another test, she sat remembering that dreadful apology, and Santana's words.
Flashback.
They were both shocked when they arrived at Santana and Mike's to see Brittany and Matt sat there, but she wasn't letting this defeat her, it seemed like in a second that scene back at the bar all those years ago flew back at her. Brittany was sat there looking perfect, her blond hair down her back. She remembered standing watching the woman getting all familiar with Sam and thinking that was totally inappropriate considering everyone knew the history, she was even more shocked when the girl hugged her, whispering some shit about them needing to talk, like she never saw the massive ring sat on her finger telling the bitch she owned the man that stood next to her.
She was so damn mad the look she gave Sam he knew there was something wrong, he quickly made their excuses to leave. That afternoon they both found the gratification in having angry sex, it was kind of differently nice, because she was the one being rough, angry, not asking but taking and he moved accordingly, unselfishly understanding why she needed control right then, and giving it to her, when she shouted her orders.
She put him to sleep like a baby after his feed, then stood outside the room looking at the view, that familiar niggle in her belly, not allowing her to settle, there was something wrong. She snuck inside and grabbed her phone, quietly shutting the door as she left the room again "Santana" she whispered when she answered the call.
"Mercy?"
"Don't say my name, just go somewhere you can talk" she told her friend.
"What's up?".
"Your friend, what's the deal with her, I have this feeling, somethings not right".
"She's not right Mercy" Santana offered freely "Never trust her, if she says left go right, always".
"Why do you keep her as a friend then?"
"Make no mistake, she's no friend, she's Matt's choice, I can't ask Noah to choose between us, that's not right".
"So, I shouldn't trust her?"
"If she says it's white, you better believe it's black, that's all I'm saying".
"Thanks, wake us up in about another hour or so".
"Will do" she closed the call and went back to bed, wrapping his arm around her gently.
She'd played the game for the rest of the night Sam asked Mike and Santana to be Darius's Godparents and they'd been honoured to take that on. The journey to the airport was quiet, Mercy waited for lift off and blew the fuck up, she laughed remembering being near hysterical until Sam wrapped her in his arms. The next time she saw them for a hot minute at the boys Christening and she hadn't had to think about that bitch again, or had that feeling, until now
End of Flashback
Mercy sat rocking on her bed, she couldn't rest because today Sam was dropping the boys off in Phoenix, and for some reason she'd got that feeling again. "Mom" she smiled at hearing her voice on the other end of the phone.
"Sweetheart, is everything alright, do you know what time of night it is?"
"My spirits troubled again Mom, I feel like someone's coming for me or mine".
"I knew this was coming when Sam left earlier, the children will be fine sweet, has he dropped them off yet?".
"Yes, they're all dropped off, I don't think it's the children, I think this storm's for Sam and me".
"Well, you know you guys love each other, just hold onto that, neither of you are insecure in that way, everything will be fine" she assured her.
"This feeling is in my gut Mom".
"So that just means you need to look out for both of you a bit more" she laughed "You know how we fight for our men Mercy, he's fine, we both know that, and there's always going to be bitches out there thinking they can test".
"Okay" she smiled knowing her Mom was right.
"What are you doing up?"
"Quinn and Rachel are here at the hotel, a girl's night I suppose".
"Not too much of a girl's night I hope" Anthea laughed "Get some sleep and stop over thinking" she advised her "I'll see you tomorrow".
"Tomorrow! Mercy smiled, closing the call, making quick calls to check on the children before leaving her bedroom to join Rachel and Quinn, for some reason she was feeling like more of a third wheel than usual, they'd threw down three glasses to her one of champagne all night, and now they were just being argumentative and sloppy.
"Grab you glass" Quinn giggled holding her full one up.
Catch Up
Rachel & Quinn
The wedding had gone ahead the following September as planned, the whole thing was coordinated by Tina, Mercy and Santana in the main, everyone went down to Los Angeles for the big event weekend. There was no stag of course so they got together and did an alternative bridal shower, their 'I Do Crew' consisted of Rachel's parents; Shelby and LeRoy, Quinn's parents; Russell and Judy, Sam, Mercy, Tina, Artie, Santana, Mike, Brittany, Matt, Blaine, and Kurt along with Hanny, Becky, Finn and Junior.
They had no intention of making anything traditional, they had already brought their wedding outfits together, agreed the same hairdresser for their big day, and decided on a shower instead of a hen night so the whole family could be involved in the evening. It shocked everyone, that these party animal's, had gone for a softer option, using words like relaxed, rejuvenating and spa treatments. They started the shower off untraditionally at the wedding venue lounge, where they sat being served high tea, an assortment of crust free sandwiches and miniature cakes with tea, coffee, or champagne to wash it down, everyone on their best behaviour.
Straight after that the women went off to their pampering session, while the men went off to do some live painting, Matt got super upset that they were drawing a plant with some fruit placed around it, while everyone else seemed to know it was never going to be a nude subject.
By the evening they were all on the patio at the hotel, waiting for stakes to cook showing off their artwork and shouting conversations over the very loud music.
"Quinn" the voice stopped everyone's enjoyment, Quinn and Rachel got up shocked at the woman "Can we talk?"
"What are you doing here?" Quinn looked around, her family and friends all witness to this mess that had arrived.
"I saw it on your page, I had to come" Kitty smiled "Can we talk, in private?" she looked around the patio at the strange faces.
"No" Quinn snapped "Please leave".
"Quinn" she begged "Please".
"Didn't you hear what she said?" Rachel snapped at the girl.
Quinn had told her about this relationship, deemed it toxic, after Kitty had started checking her mail, intercepting her calls, and not passing on messages. Theirs wasn't a long-term relationship, it was never meant to be, she was just someone she was spending time with following her second book being published, she should have clocked on that the woman having four copies of her book wasn't actually a compliment at the time, but you never know till you know.
"I wasn't talking to you" she snapped at Rachel, cutting her eye at her before focusing back on Quinn, maybe if the family hadn't been there, or it wasn't the day before their wedding, or maybe if they hadn't had enough to drink, this situation would have been avoided, but it was all those things. Rachel flew across the patio, pushing Kitty so hard she fell on top of her, the two women grabbed hair and kept a hold of each other's hair until they had chunks in their fists.
"Stop it" Quinn jumped on top of Rachel slapping at Kitty shouting.
Everyone stood around watching, wondering what the hell was going on, it all erupted so quickly "Stop them" Mercy and Tina shouted at Artie and Sam, watching them step forward, closely followed by Matt to break up the situation. A round of applause followed when they finally got up and straightened their clothes, finally ready for this chat Kitty wanted.
Of course, her conversation made no difference the beautiful wedding went ahead anyway, there was nothing traditional about it, from them being in the church way before their congregation, to having an hour-long reception party that squeezed everything into it, speeches, and all, before they had to rush off to the waiting cab, to take them to the other side of Los Angeles to their honeymoon suite. That was just the first day and there was a long line of issues that were ready to show themselves in their relationship after that. Year three of their happily wedded life together, and they made the announcement that they wanted to start a family, everyone was happy for them, as they sat painfully getting to their point.
"Do you think we're being silly?" Rachel looked at Mercy asking.
"No" she shook her head "Why do you ask?"
"She thinks at 30 something we might be a bit old" Quinn told her.
"So, adopt" Santana pipped up.
"We don't want to adopt we want a surrogate?" Rachel informed them.
"No" Quinn looked at her "We want to adopt".
"We haven't made that decision yet" Rachel decided to tread with caution.
That conversation lasted nearly a year before they finally agreed to have a surrogate, quickly forging a relationship with Terry, a middle age woman, who already had a family of five, pregnant with her sixth child and basically needed the money, more so than another child. There were a few unforeseen medical issues they had to deal with, but Noah came into the world screaming so loudly, everyone knew he'd arrived Rachel and Quinn stood in the delivery room crying while Terry screamed, breathed, and pushed, presenting this dark haired brown eyed bonny baby boy.
They worked at settling their new family for just over a year before Rachel finally went back to work at the local theatres while Quinn tucked into another book, staying at home to look after Noah.
That had pretty much been their life, Rachel popping off every now and again, for a few weeks at a time, for work, they'd had the invite to join Leon on the cruise, but their lives were pretty fixed. It was Noah's 7th Birthday that weekend, they'd spent an age planning it, he'd already invited around 30 of his classmates, and they really didn't want to postpone so they made their apologies and stayed home.
End of Catch Up
"I've just found out Brittany's on the trip" Mercy grabbed a glass watching Rachel fill it up.
"What are you going to do?" Quinn asked concerned.
"Nothing if she stays out my way" Mercy frowned.
"But what if she does, get in your way I mean?" Rachel asked.
"I guess I'll have to deal with that if it happens" she sighed
"I wished we were going now" Quinn giggled "Just to see that slap down"
"It's not funny" Rachel nudged her
"I might just head off to bed, it's been a long day" Mercy finished the glass of wine in one shot, before going back to her room, something wasn't allowing her to enjoy herself, she sat on the bed thinking maybe it was because they were apart and there was no work, she looked down at her hand voluntarily spinning her wedding ring, smiling at seeing his face grinning back at her, she lay in bed humming along to that last duet they'd sang together somehow feeling closer to him. 'Make The Most' by Lonr & H.E.R
I'll give you some time, whatever you want, you just say the word, we can do the time, lock away the key, that's what you prefer
I could do this for days, I would run a thousand miles for you, I could do this many ways I'm a fall fast and die with you
Wanna chase that (chase that), going crazy (going crazy) I'm like oh my, (oh my), but I'm laid back, got to save that, time to face facts
If you love me, just say that
"There's only this life for us Evans" she smiled curling in for comfort "That's the goal" she fell asleep smiling