This Human's Nature
January
The holiday season was more than over, a lot had happened in these past three months, but today everyone was back together in Lima again for the long awaited wedding of Sam and Mercedes, the day started early with everyone meeting at the Chinese Tea House on the Manson grounds, they were starting the day with at least the pop of a champagne bottle.
Quoe
"Morning" Quinn and Joe walked in smiling at Sam and Mercedes parents being the only one's there.
"How was last night?" Quinn asked giggling.
"Batchelors and Bachelorette's" Mary rolled her eyes at the memory "Obviously we left at a decent hour" she pointed at Dwight and Mercedes' parents Olive and Ken.
"How's little Cayla?" Olive asked concerned.
"Oh, she's picking up, we wouldn't be here otherwise" Joe told her.
Quinn had been all ones and twos with the move, it hadn't gone as they'd expected, everything had a knock on effect so, when the seller suddenly pulled out of the deal, that left Joe's job at risk, they had to think fast. Joe rented a one bed, in DC so he wouldn't lose the job, but that meant splitting the family and that wasn't something they'd ever agreed on. Quinn was left looking after Caleb, something she'd never expected and with him being a teething nine month old it was past stressful.
After a week of crying on the phone to Joe for not getting any sleep and feeling totally exhausted he'd skipped a Friday and took a long weekend at home. Quinn hadn't got up yet and it was two in the afternoon, he just thought she was happy for the rest and left her to it.
"Was that Quinn?" Judy sat up asking him, trying to listen carefully over Joe and Caleb playing a rather rowdy game of aeroplane's, "Did you hear that?"
"No" he looked up at their den door "But I'll check" he left Caleb with his Grandma, opening the door to see Quinn kneeling on the floor "What's up babe?" he walked towards her.
"I think the baby's coming" she grabbed his arm "We need to get to the hospital".
"But it's too soon, you're only just seven months gone".
"However, many months it is, I think this baby is on its way" she moaned at the pain again "I haven't even packed my damn bag".
"Mom" Joe called not panicking but understanding there was work to do.
"What's up?" Judy came to the door, concerned.
"Q's in labour we need a bag packing, Caleb needs dressing, and I can't drive and look after her.
"Okay" Judy rushed around the room grabbing things for Quinn and the coming baby, a set of clothes and some nappies for Caleb and a miniature brandy for her "To wet the baby's head" she smiled "Come on" she watched Joe pick Quinn up, and grabbed Caleb on the way out the door.
It didn't take them ten minutes to get to the hospital and within the hour Cayla was in their world. She was small, just under 3lb, she needed some support with breathing and extra checks on all her organs, but it had been eight days, and everything was coming back perfect. They were just waiting for the expected weight gain now and hoped to bring her home in a couple of days, to complete their family.
But it still left the questions of where they all going to live, he was still down in DC in his one bed, Quinn and the children were still in Lima and it seemed like depression would fast set in for the both of them if they didn't act now. There was nothing else for it, he felt like he was letting his family down, but after the wedding he was going to have to have a conversation with Quinn about pooling their money together to find something quicker. He so wanted to be the man in this situation, but he wasn't about to let his pride start hurting his family.
Nobody had seen the little miracle in the flesh as yet, but they'd seen enough pictures to know she was a new member to their family and the pictures of Caleb sat with Cayla in his arms, being protective over his little sister, were adorable.
Jeschel
Their wedding day had been the best Rachel doubted Sam and Mercedes day could touch it, and the honeymoon was total bliss. They'd taken that first week in Panama as planned but half-way through the second week Geoff turned up at their secret destination.
"How did you know where we were?" Jessie asked him as he let him in "What are you doing here?"
"Where's Rachel?" the arrogant man ignored his questions.
Rachel and he had been at logger heads for the past three months about his treatment of her, it was clear the man wanted rid of her, calling her difficult and unworkable in front of everyone. And to be sure she knew she was, so did Jessie, he was harassing her at work, and because she hadn't succumbed to his unprofessional requests he'd turned on her, suddenly she didn't fit in after nearly four years.
"She's in the bathroom" Jessie huffed.
"Will you get her please, this is urgent".
"It better be life or death with you turning up here uninvited" Jessie hissed at him.
"I wouldn't have travelled through the night to get here if it wasn't" Geoff told him, watching him leave the room.
"Geoff" Rachel came out with a gown on, and a towel wrapped around her hair "What are you doing here?"
"I need you to come back for tonight's show" he blurted out.
"What's wrong with the understudy, I thought she was good enough to take my place?"
"She walked out" Geoff told her.
"Tried it on with her too?" Jessie asked sarcastically, watching Geoff cut his eye at him.
"The show only has a month left, we can't afford the loss and you need the money" he looked at Rachel expectantly.
"She doesn't need the money actually" Jessie told him, feeling insulted "We don't need the money".
"I didn't mean it like that" Geoff backed off "The whole cast will lose out, I'll have no respect…" he looked at Rachel "I'm asking…no begging you, to come back with me, for the show tonight".
"Jess?" Rachel looked at him, expecting her answer.
"The shows your baby, its entirely up to you, I'll support whatever you choose to do" he sent daggers at Geoff.
They'd gone back to New York that night Rachel finished the show and cried for a week because she was for once in her life unemployed. But after the crying came the silence and then the arguments, they were having a rough time of it for a few weeks, the only thing that shook her out of it for a hot minute was them attending the wedding.
She'd let her hair right down last night told her friends about her feelings and the women had rallied around her and got her drunk enough to forget, for a while.
"Morning" Rachel walked into the Tea House with her night sleep mask held up on her forehead "I know it's there" she touched it "Jess had offered to walked me back to our room if it all gets too much" she pointed to the light.
"Morning" Joe and Quinn smiled.
"Oh" Rachel went over to them for hugs, passing Quinn Mercedes phone "Missed you guys last night, how's Cayla?"
"She's fine, thank you" Quinn replied.
"Morning" Olive laughed "You kids are cruel to your damn selves".
"Oh, she needed to be cruel" Jessie laughed telling them.
"Excuse me" Ken's head came out of his newspaper as he looked across the room "I thought that was your middle name".
"Very funny" Rachel waved her finger playfully at him.
"No" Dwight looked up from his newspaper "He's not being funny I heard the exact same thing".
"Double funny" Rachel giggled "I know you guys love me really".
"We actually do" Dwight laughed.
"With your crazy self" Ken shook his head laughing.
Sam & Mike
"Morning" Mike walked in pointing at Sam "Don't mind him, he's not happy with not seeing Mercedes for a night".
"You guys made the rules, how can you be mad about that?" Dwight asked him.
"I'm not" he looked at his Dad "It's just that I've sent messages this morning and she hasn't replied" he looked at his phone again, frustrated they were going to meet at the alter without making their first important decision.
"Oh" Rachel held her finger up "That's because she's not allowed to have her phone".
"Hey" Sam smiled at seeing Quinn and Joe "How's Cayla?"
"She's good, they're talking about her coming home next week, depends on her weight" Joe told him proudly.
"That's great news" Mike butted in.
"We think so" Quinn smiled.
"Where is everyone, I thought we were late?" Sam looked around asking.
"If by everyone you mean Mercedes, she's having breakfast in her room" Rachel told him "No peeking".
"Surprise" a voice entered the room, everyone looked to see who was surprising.
"Artie" Sam and Mike gasped at the same time.
"I know, it's been a while, but we've been busy" Artie took the hug Sam had to offer before grabbing Mike's.
"We?" Sam asked.
"Yeah" Artie grinned, they knew there was news "I'm married now, they're making sure everything gets to our suite safely".
"Art" Quinn went in for her hug getting there seconds before Rachel.
"Sebastian" Rachel gasped at seeing one of her stage nemesis' walking in the door.
"You know Seb?" Artie asked.
Sebtie
Artie had finished film school and dived straight into a job, working with the likes of Steven, Harrison and Tyler had given the much needed leg up. Spending years learning the business from the ground up had provided the tools needed to go it alone, the work was hard but satisfying.
Over time Artie had been in a few relationships, some short and sweet while others were drawn out and harmful, meeting Sebastian had been a breath of fresh air. Seb had been shipped in to be a body double in one of Harrison's productions, walking onto set demanding ownership of the small part, they captured each other's attention first on eye contact.
"Could you tell me where to find Superman?" Sebastian asked Artie stood mesmerised.
"Looking straight at..." Artie replied "Sorry".
"I prefer to be referred to as they" Sebastian laughed.
"Me too, or just plain Artie" holding a handout.
"Sebastian"
"Nice to meet you Sebastian".
"Hopefully not for the last time" they looked around awkwardly "I'm looking for the Assistant Producer".
"Oh, you're the body double?" Artie smiled "I'm the Assistant".
Their relationship wasn't something that happened while they were on set, Sebastian had finished working with them before anything called a date was pursued, but they'd never lost touch. Six months later they were committed and by the end of that year they were married, that had been nearly three years ago, and they seemed happy enough.
"Yeah" Rachel looked at them smiling "We've been in a few plays together over the years".
"Yes" Seb laughed "We're not the best of friends more like each other's nemeses".
"I'm sure Rachel has a few" Artie laughed "Anyway this is Sam; the groom, a good friend Mike, Quinn and Joe you know, and my god is that Jessie?"
"Yes" Jessie laughed going in for a hug.
"I heard you'd married, but I didn't know it was to Rachel" Artie looked at Jessie strangely.
"That was a divorce away, we got married three months ago" Jessie told them hugging Rachel.
"Okay, I need to catch up" Artie looked at Rachel, before moving on to Mike "So still no Tina?"
"Yeah there's a Tina, she's having breakfast with Mercedes" Mike pointed at Sam "Keeping them apart".
"How traditional" Sebastian laughed "Is it true that you two are doing like, everything traditionally?"
"Everything like?" Sam snapped, the parents looking at Sebastian angrily.
"Seb" Artie hissed "Filter".
"Sorry my bad" Sebastian held both hands up "In time for breakfast" he looked at the table, leaving that conversation there "Mr & Mrs Evans I presume?" extending a hand "And Mr & Mrs Jones" doing the same "Exciting day".
"Do you even know Mercedes?" Mary snapped, already thinking rude.
"Let's start breakfast the rest can follow" Dwight suggested seeing things going south, everyone seemed to suddenly be on edge.
"Let's" Ken snapped his newspaper shut.
Breakfast was filled with conversation, everyone catching up on what had been going on, some of them had got to the hotel the day before, dinner was followed by limo's collecting them for the evening on the Yacht, drinking, dancing, talking, and playing games.
It was all Sam's idea, he didn't want them to spend more time apart than they needed to, Mercedes being around for a week before the wedding had spoilt him, he loved it. They were joining in the games and conversation but every now and again they'd disappear to have a moment, by the end of the evening he was fed up with either Tina or Rachel turning up to spoil their fun.
"Can we forget the separate rooms for tonight?" he asked as they made their way back to the crowd.
"If you can get that past Mike and Tina, I'll go with that" she giggled "Good luck".
Luck wasn't on his side, he didn't get his way and when he tried to message her she wasn't answering his calls, he'd spent half the night pissed, finally falling asleep with the thought that things would be better in the morning, only to find she still wasn't responding, and now he knew why.
"I sort of expected Mercedes to be here" Sam looked at his Dad, his sad face bringing a smile to the mothers.
"Soon enough" Olive assured him.
"Morning" Blaine walked in with Kurt in hand.
Klaine
Kurt had been unlucky, the tests had come back telling them the diagnosis was cancer of the colon, which was what they'd imagined as their worst case scenario. Kurt had all the signs, sleeplessness, pain, dizziness, and even fainting, now a course of medication and injections needing to be taken every day was their new life.
For Kurt, who was always the one to be up and about, that was so restrictive, yes it was a necessary evil, but for someone who had never been limited in their actions, since the age of sixteen, it was hard to suddenly bend to these medication demands.
"Have you taken your meds?" Blaine came out of their bedroom asking, watching as Kurt rolled eyes "And you can stop that too, it's for your own good".
"Just one day, It's Diva's wedding day, can I not just have this one day?"
"No" Blaine replied, "And you're going to make us late for breakfast".
"It's these bloody pills" Kurt squealed.
"And we're dealing with aplastic anaemia as well as the cancer" Blaine shouted back at him "You promised me…".
"And I'm keeping that promise, I'm just asking for one day" Kurt huffed.
"Are you even serious about us starting a family when this is over?"
"Course I am".
"So, I guess it starts with being responsible, and that means taking your medication on time, every damn day" Blaine snapped.
"You can be such a bully sometimes". Kurt flashed the towel off the chair at Blaine.
"Now who's bulling" Blaine asked moving out the way of the lash, watching the medication being taken before grabbing Kurt's arm and heading for the door "We're going to be late for breakfast".
"So?" Kurt laughed, slowly making their way to the Tea House "You know I like my grand entrances" they opened the door wider than necessary for effect.
"Artie" Kurt gasped at seeing their friend "When did you get in?"
It took Blaine a while to follow the conversation, not expecting to see Sebastian sitting at the breakfast table "Artie" Blaine's eyes left Sebastian's for a second "Sorry I didn't expect to see Sebastian here".
"You two know each other?" Kurt looked at Blaine surprised.
"More than know each other" Blaine looked at Kurt "Sebastian was my first love interest".
"I remember we kissed a hell of a lot, nothing much else" Sebastian laughed the situation off.
"Well…" Artie came back all defensive with attitude "We got married about three years ago, and to what I remember you two have been hitched for nearly a decade".
"Nearly" Kurt smiled hugging their friend.
"Kurt?" Sabastian took a guess.
"Yep" Kurt snapped grabbing Blaine's arm again "Quinn, Joe, how's that beautiful baby of yours?"
"She's good thanks".
"Mom's, Dad's" they waved up the table "Morning".
"Jess" Blaine looked shocked and embarrassed.
"Blaine" Jessie replied sternly.
"Whatever went down between us last night is…"
"Forgotten" Jessie assured him "Congratulations on the baby search though".
"We told you about that?" Blaine walked over to Sam and Mike shocked at himself.
"Dude" Sam got up to take the hug "You told everybody, leave Kurt out of it" he laughed.
"Drink has never been a good look on you" Kurt commented, making everyone laugh.
Everyone sat again listening to stories filling the gaps of years gone by, Sam sat looking at his phone, there was still no messages, the situation reminding him of that spell of silence they had back at the end of college, for a whole damn month.
Flashback
"What?" he sat holding the phone, listening to the words but not believing them "What the fuck do you mean three months".
"What I said, I've signed the contract so…"
"You better un-fucking sign it, we agreed we'd talk about this shit".
"This is my life Sam, it's what you wanted for me, it's happening, why can't you…"
"If you say just be fucking happy for you" he hissed stopping her sentence. "Look all I'm saying is, this is big, we should have at least had a conversation about it, worked out what we were going to do, three years?".
"I worked it out, I'm going to sing".
"Well Mercedes Jones" he shouted down the phone "If that's the way things are going to be, leave me the fuck out of it, for..." he slammed the phone down on her, he didn't want to finish that sentence, that was going to leave them to a place they'd never be able to come back from.
They played the game after that, first he wasn't answering her calls, then she did it to him, and then the messages started, her asking him to talk, him ignoring it, and the last messages basically said fuck you. If she didn't want to talk about their life what was left to talk about and then suddenly there was radio silence, and he was feeling alright living with that, for a day, but three days later, out the blue.
"Hey" she turned up at his place that evening, to be honest he'd been playing with his phone all evening trying to find the words to make things right between them.
"Hey" he pushed the door open for her to walk in, she stood in the hallway swinging her purse, her puppy eyes asking for forgiveness "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I was just.." was all she got out before he grabbed hold of her.
"I want you to be the Mercedes Jones, but I don't expect you to shut me out to do it" that night, they got as close as they'd ever got to having sex, in their relationship to date.
End of Flashback
"Sam" Artie's voice snapped into his head begging for attention "Where are you man, I said have you felt the jitters yet?"
"No" Sam laughed "I don't intend to, I'm all in on this one".
"I should imagine everyone who's ever been there is all in, but those little flutters still find their way in" Joe assured him.
"I drunk two thirds of a bottle of whiskey" Dwight told him "Not that I'm recommending that" he laughed "But I was still as sober as a judge when I spoke those words to your Mom" he looked at Mary smiling.
"I was the total opposite" Ken laughed "I was drunk from the day before we met and I got sobered up the day after the wedding" making everyone laugh.
"Ken" Olive nudged him.
"From the day I met this wonderful woman I became a happy drunk, and it wasn't until the day after our wedding I dared to sober up, I didn't even expect her to turn up" he touched Olive's cheek "But she did".
"The whole courtship was just over a month" Olive put the story into perspective.
"I was drunk on love" Ken smiled at her.
"When you know, you just know" Mike nodded at Sam.
"And I know, I've known for over eleven years now, been certain for eight years today, heck this is happening" he giggled "I do believe I just had a jitter" he held his stomach.
"Now you know you're getting married" Jessie laughed.
"Mercedes is going to be super pumped at you turning up for us" Sam looked at Artie.
"That's the desired effect" Artie laughed "I'm expecting some vocal contributions from Miss Jones for this occasion".
"I'm afraid that's not going to happen, we're not singing, we're taking a complete rest" Sam told everyone "But there will be music".
Mercedes & Tina
"About time" Mercedes laughed at Tina's eyes opening "I could have run off and done anything, you were out for the count".
"Heavy night last night, had to turn it up for my girl's bachelorette party" Tina rubbed her eyes "Mercedes" she sat up obviously ready for a serious talk "I know you and Sam have spent an eternity together, and I know you've got each other, but girl" she looked at her "Someone has to say this because, well it has to be said".
"You are not about to ask me if I'm sure?" Mercedes looked at her.
"No" she giggled "I'm about to ask you to take your time with that Divatude around your man".
"Sam?" she gasped "He can take it".
"No diva he can't, everyone notices he just sits back and lets you roll, that's not dealing with it, have you ever known him to shut you down?"
"Plenty of times, just because he never does it in front of people, doesn't mean he doesn't do it" she huffed "I'm not even lying when I say, if he's got something on his mind God isn't changing that shit, let alone me, he lets me be a woman, his woman and I let him be a man, my man, always".
"So, you two are cool?"
"Absolutely" she shook her head smiling at the first, and maybe last time, he'd had to do exactly that.
Flashback
"Time to go, come on, pass my bag" she stood up ready to be taken to the airport, they were in the middle of a conversation about her not coming home enough, he wanted to take some time off work sometime soon, and spend a month with her, she wasn't even in that headspace and at the time she was pissed because she was heavily into this let have sex phase, and he was being a saint about it again. She'd got to the point in the conversation where she needed to get out before she said something that he didn't need to hear, she was about to bust more than the windows out his damn house if he carried on trying to tell her what she could, should and wouldn't do.
"What?" he turned to ask.
"My bag" she widened her eyes at him, pointing at it and insinuating he was deaf or something.
"Don't do that" he looked into her eyes telling her, his face telling her he'd just gone past annoyed.
"Do what?"
"Talk to me as if I get fucking paid to move your shit around, I'm not one of your fucking staff, speak to me with respect".
"I didn't…"
"Mercedes" he held his hand up "This isn't a conversation, I'm too angry for that, just talk to me with some respect, I'm your partner, not an employee".
"I wasn't.."
"Grab your own damn bag and come on" he stepped past her and through the door. When she got to the car, he was already sitting in the driver seat and he'd started up the car engine before she shut the door, she just about shut the door before he zoomed off.
They got to the airport and sat in the car, the engine off, both needing to say something "I'm sorry I didn't realise I was doing that, it won't happen again".
"And I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you back there but sometimes…"
"I never said I was an easy girl to love".
"I never wanted to love easy" he smiled "I need you to be the woman you want to be and my woman, I don't want to stop you doing anything, but we have to have respect for each other".
"And I'll always respect you, because I want you to be a man, the man, my man, I promise".
"Thank you".
"Looks like we've both got divatude to deal with, that was a harsh delivery Evans" she smiled.
"I hate it when shit tries to mess with us" he laughed "Come on let's get you checked in".
End of Flashback
"Mercedes" Tina waved her hand in front of her eyes "Where are you girl, need I ask" she rolled her eyes smiling as she pushed the food trolley closer to the bed "Four more hours".
"Four more hours" she smiled.
"So, come on, I've ordered all your favourite foods".
"Tots?" Mercedes looked at the tray "Was I about fifteen when that happened?"
"Whatever, it was definitely a favourite" Tina laughed "Oh, I love this song" she ran over to turn the radio up as 'Same Space' by Tiana Major9 & SiR played.
"Funny enough Sam helped me write this one" Mercedes laughed.
"So, between Sam and me, we just keep writing you these hits?"
"He's inspired a few" Mercedes laughed.
"I've never seen Sam's name on anything".
"He just goes by Ivan, and I didn't tell you that" she held her mouth, surprised at having shared that "I must still be drunk".
"I'm not even going to pillow share that with Mike" Tina held here pinkie out "As long as you don't share how much you actually pay me for those songs to Mike, ever".
"Pinkie promise" Mercedes laughed.
"Eat up, you're getting married in a few hours".
"Can I get my phone back Sam will be pissed?"
"Sorry Diva I don't have it to give" they sat picking at the food "But we do need to get ready to meet the girls at the spa for eleven" Tina finally looked at the clock.
Tike
"Everything alright?" Sam watched Mike walking back towards them all sat at the table.
"Yeah" he smiled "Good news" Mike held the phone up.
"Great" Jessie smiled.
"Hope it all just keeps coming" Joe added, they were all thinking about Kurt.
Flashback
Mike had been out of town last week it was sheer luck that, as the chief bridesmaid, Tina had decided to land in Lima the same time as Mercedes to help with final touches. The whole thing came as such a shock, Wednesday afternoon Tina had been in the kitchen laughing, joking, and helping Mike's Mom make fortune cookies for her catch up with Sam and Mercedes that evening. They'd sorted and dropped off all the bridesmaid dresses, checked the suits, and ate through nearly twenty cookies before they dropped Tina home that evening, Sam hadn't even got to the junction on her street before she called them screaming.
It turned out Mike's Mom was having a heart attack, Julia was sat holding her chest crying for the pain, everything happened fast, the emergency service was there within minutes, Mercedes was onto her Mom getting advice on what to do. Mike hadn't got back home until three hours later, and blamed himself for not being there, crying in Tina's arms for his perceived fuck up, it took his Dad's harsh words to shake him out of the self pity.
They sat in the waiting room waiting for news of her health, at around three in the morning they emerged telling them stents were necessary, they all agreed she should have whatever was necessary. By the time they walked into the recovery room it all seemed like something that had happened to someone else, the only evidence of anything happening was a small incision point on her right wrist.
End of Flashback
"She came home yesterday, I'm on hot bricks" Mike looked at his phone again "So, are we getting this groom ready today or what?" he clapped his hands changing the focus.
"We've got to be somewhere" Rachel looked at Quinn, "We're at the spa, interested?" she asked Blaine, Kurt, Artie and Sebastian.
"I don't think Kurt's up to it" Blaine jumped in before Kurt could speak.
"We're good" Sebastian laughed, watching them kiss their partners and leave.
"We visited the parents yesterday, needed to relax after that, so we indulged" Artie told those that were left.
"We better get off too" Olive got up "Are you ready yet?" she looked at Ken asking.
"I am" he looked up from his newspaper.
"We four?" Dwight got up, checking with Mary "We need two hours for the dress choice".
"How many have you got?" Sam asked his Mom laughing, while watching his Mom grab his Dad's hand.
"Just four" Mary told him proudly "At least I slimmed it down before the day, that's a first".
"Actually, it is" Dwight laughed "Must be a really important occasion" all four left the tea house.
Bachelors
"So, what do we have planned?" Sam looked at Mike.
"Drinks to start with" he called for the tray of bubbly "And we'll work it out from there, we've got the stylist coming in about an hour".
"So, Sam" Sebastian clapped to get attention "I know your friends won't ask, they're too nice" ignoring Artie's cut it sign "I heard you two have been together for over a decade and never, had sex, is that correct?"
"And that's your business because?" Sam laughed sarcastically, ready to punch lights out.
"Nothing's wrong with it" Sebastian confirmed "I just want to know the secret, I mean I couldn't imagine Artie and I going two weeks without, but maybe that's because we weren't virgins when we met".
"I'm not a virgin" Sam corrected "Mercedes has certain beliefs, and I respect them" his smile filled with aggravation "It's not like I'm stuck in this relationship, and what happens between us is nobody's business but ours" he looked around at everyone suddenly interested in his love life.
"Happy to hear it" Sebastian confirmed "Give Sam a damn drink".
"So, Mike" Artie attracted his attention "No offence, but in my mind, history has Blaine as Sam's best man, what happened?"
"Oh" Blaine looked at Kurt wondering about privacy "Kurt hasn't been well, so, right now that has to be my focus" looking at Kurt for agreement.
"Sorry to hear that, is everything getting better for you?" Artie asked Kurt.
"We're working on it, Blaine just likes to fuss".
"And congratulations again on the new baby, how's Caleb?" Artie shifted the attention to Joe.
"Thanks, and Caleb's doing just fine too" Joe nodded his head at Artie.
"Oh, Artie and Sebastian need teal puff ties" Sam remembered.
"Not a problem, I'm sure I've brought at least three with me" Blaine informed them.
Bachelorettes
"Hi" Quinn walked into the sauna room to see Tina and Mercedes soaking it up, followed by Rachel "How's the bride?"
"The bride is fine" Mercedes laughed.
"Artie's turned up" Rachel shared the news.
"What?" Mercedes and Tina asked at the same time.
"I can't believe he made it" Mercedes smiled "It's going to be a great day".
"There's more" Rachel sat on the empty bench "Sabastian, Artie's life partner, is Blaine's ex".
"This is priceless" Tina sat excited for the drama.
"Did Kurt know, how was he?" Mercedes looked at Quinn trying to see the answer
"He was fine with it" Quinn smiled "But today is about you, so let's get this show on the road".
"Me?" Mercedes threw water on the coals.
"It's tradition to ask one invasive question, right?" Quinn asked laughing.
"Shit, I knew this was coming" Mercedes laughed "Makes me sort of sorry I started this damn tradition in the first place".
"Surely it can't be any worse than the question we asked Kurt" Tina covered her mouth.
"Come on everyone wanted to know that" Quinn laughed.
"Not everyone" Mercedes reminded them "I'll miss Santana and Brittany today"
"They'll be back when they're ready, we have to believe that" Rachel told everyone.
"It's just hard not helping them right now" Mercedes replied to everyone nodding in agreement.
"Do we have to keep bringing this back to your day Diva?" Quinn asked again "So" Quinn braced herself "What's the first position you're going to try when you finally have sex?"
"First off, we won't be having sex, we'll be making love, we're grown now" Mercedes put her straight.
"Excuse me" Quinn laughed.
"And at a guess, if I have to" she rolled her eyes "I'd go safe with missionary, I mean it's the least painful position for the first time, the most popular as well, and since he'll be taking the lead..."
"Shit Diva, you've really thought about this" Tina laughed.
"I've had nothing else to think about for eleven years, I read and talk to people"
"Wow" Quinn smiled.
"You guys have really talked this through" Rachel sat looking at Mercedes
"I mean no one waits this long, if they don't truly love someone, do they?" Mercedes asked
"No" everyone responded at the same time, laughing.
"Hi" Emma's head popped round the door "We're here" she smiled stepping into the sauna room, in her pink floral gown.
Wemma
Flashback
Time had been a great healer, Will's memory was almost back, he'd been emotionally reunited with his children, spent time with most of the original club members and his brother. There were still gaps within those relationships but on the whole Joe had done him a great service, that day he let him have it in the auditorium.
They went home that afternoon to have that conversation and look at some photographs "I know these guys" Will looked at a picture of Finn and Noah, smiling. Emma took him through the story, reminding him of the relationship between Finn and he, linking in their son Finn to join some dots for him. The first glee kids came back first, then his children, and then his wider family, he'd put so much of himself into that glee club it was no surprise that was the first thing he connected with.
Everyone had been passing by the school or his home to help with the memories and it had been working far better than the $300 an hour shrink they'd been relying on those first few months. Emma looked happier, Will was a lot more confident and time was beginning to factor into his memory again, things were good.
But as well as remembering the good things from his past he also had to deal with the bad things and so the death of Puck and especially Finn seemed to relive itself as he sat remembering the events before their passing. Now coming to the wedding was going to hold new challenges, he was meeting Sam and Mercedes' parents, Artie had turned up with a significant other and there were going to be celebrities there, this was a new ,memory test.
They hadn't made it for the gathering last night because of the children, Will had only just come to realise who his children were, started to get all those memories and feelings back, so he was finding it hard to spend time away. They had the option of arriving yesterday, Sam and Mercedes were willing to provide a nanny service for 9 year old Finn, 6 year old Gemma and 3 year old William, but Will preferred to stay home with them until Emma's parents arrived this morning.
End Of Flashback
"Well Will's downstairs with Sam and the others of course" she corrected herself.
"Emma" everyone smiled at her making an appearance.
"How was last night?" she asked
"It was alright" Mercedes told her "It wasn't the wedding night".
"I'm sure a special someone has great plans for the wedding night" Tina giggled.
"You know, I'm sure we both do" she laughed "So, that's enough talk, let's get this wedding on the way" she clapped her hands "Massage anyone?" she was just relieved they hadn't forced it on the reveal thing, because she had details.
Samcedes
Flashback
Sam and Mercedes had finally decided to get some therapy to deal with their trauma, and over the past month sleep was almost uninterrupted, there were still times they'd wake up in the night calling each other, but that was the only control mechanism they needed these days, so it was manageable.
On Thursday afternoon they'd had a session with their therapist that had unearthed a conversation they'd never seriously broached before Sam had voiced his need to have children. It was something that was maybe always in the background of their relationship, they'd agreed it, but back then it seemed so far in the future it wasn't thought about. Now suddenly two days before their wedding it had become the most pressing of topics.
"I just didn't know you wanted children like, now" Mercedes sat on the couch in the hotel room after her last dress fitting, telling him.
"But babe, we've always known that was what we wanted, I don't understand why all this is a shock" he walked over to her with two drinks in his hand, giving her a glass before he sat down beside her.
"I want children babe, but I didn't think we'd go at it so soon, I wanted to have you to myself for a while".
"It's been just us for eleven years babe".
"I know" she grabbed his hand "And I know I'm being selfish about this, but, we haven't even had sex yet, and I want some time for us to enjoy that before we start thinking about babies"..
"I totally get that, but I don't expect sex to stop just because we have a baby".
"Neither did I, but…"
"You know what, I'll give you some time to process all this" he smiled "I know you hate surprises".
"Thanks, and I promise we'll be in the same space".
End of Flashback
And that was where they'd left that conversation, one of the most important decisions they'll ever make together left hanging in the air. They'd tried last night to get some sort of agreement on things in that department, but everyone seemed to have them on their radar, they never managed a full sentence.
"Who's got my phone?" Mercedes asked. As they walked into the massage room
"Me" Quinn told her.
"I need it before I get married" it was more an order than a request, she noticed everyone look at her for the snap, but she didn't care it was her day.
"It's time" Tina shouted over an hour later, everyone came to life, rushing around to get to their rooms to put on their gowns, there was going to be a wedding in less than an hour.
The Wedding
"Okay" Mercedes stood up, after checking her make up and setting her vail straight she was finally ready "How do I look?" she asked Tina and Rachel.
"Beautiful" Rachel looked at her wanting the burst into tears.
"Don't start" Mercedes warned "Where's my phone?".
"Quinn has it, she's gone down already, she's organising the music".
"There is no music, I told her I wanted my damn phone" Mercedes snapped.
"Okay" Rachel took her phone out "Use mine".
"No" she fanned it off, her message was too personal to use someone else's phone.
"Okay is everyone ready in here?" Olive asked as Mary and her walked in, smiling at the vision in the room "You look beautiful".
"Definitely not just brains and talent" Mary laughed "Sam's a lucky man".
"We're both lucky" Mercedes laughed.
"Your Dad wants a minute alone with you" Olive hugged her daughter before rushing Rachel and Tina out the room.
"We'll see you downstairs" Mary hugged her and left too.
Sam was downstairs pacing the floor, there was something they hadn't talked out, and that wasn't sitting well with him, it wasn't a deal breaker, but it was something that was going to impact on their relationship, he was so used to dealing with stuff before they moved forward.
"Jitters?" Mike asked, watching him.
"Something like that, I need to speak to Mercedes".
"Ten minutes" Mike checked his phone.
"Sam" Dwight called his son "Here a minute" he called him into the side room "Just a word from the wise" he closed the door behind them.
"Dad" he rolled his eyes "She's about to walk down the aisle".
"This won't take a minute" Dwight cleared his throat "I just want to remind you to always love her".
"What?" he looked at his Dad "Dad" he held his shoulders "I've got this, we've got this, don't worry".
"Okay" Dwight opened the door for them to return to the front of the chapel, Sam followed him out shaking his head and smiling, it seemed Dwight was more nervous than him.
Mercedes stood looking at her Dad walking into the room "This looks serious" she smiled at him.
"It is a bit" he grabbed her hand "Don't be mad" he looked into her eyes "We wouldn't let Sam, or you, pay for any of this, he didn't want you guys getting married on a lie, so I promised Sam I'd tell you before it happened".
"What?" she was more shocked than upset "I can't let you guys do that".
"You're not letting us do anything, between the four of us we've sorted everything, Sam insisted on paying for the honeymoon, as a compromise, but it's traditional for the parents to pay".
"What can I say?"
"Thank you".
"Thank you" she smiled, taking his kiss.
"Now let's get my beautiful daughter to that man that's dying for her to be Mrs Jones-Evans.
"I'm double barrelled?"
"Goes without say" he held his arm out for her to grab.
The walk to the small chapel was nerve racking, she'd been fine until the building was in sight, then her legs started to wobble, she held tighter onto her Dad's arm, feeling like she was sweating through her palms, as her hand constantly slipped off his silk suit.
"Are you alright sweetheart?" he steadied her as she made to trip.
"Just a bit nervous" she smiled at the fact that he could see it was more than a bit "I'll be fine".
The procession walked in, she smiled at the first song Sam wrote for her 'Exclusively' by Tiana Major9 playing. The teal décor seemed to be low key, like she wanted, she knew there were going to be celebrities, that was her life, and as much as she wanted today not to be about showing off with a celebrity overload, it looked very much like that was the theme. The room had silver chairs covered with white seating covers, white flowers along the runway, a splash of teal ribbon here and there, but nothing extravagant, those identifying as men in the wedding party in white suits with Teal puff ties and everyone except Sam in teal shoes, Sam's were white. Those identifying as females in the wedding party were dressed in teal with white shoes and white roses to complement Mercedes white bouquet.
"I can't fuck up" she whispered to herself as she came to the top of the aisle.
"Pardon?" Ken turned to hear what she'd said.
"Nothing" she looked at him for a second turning her head to finally focus on Sam stood at the end of the aisle and suddenly she was calm, focused and smiling, on the home run. She almost ran to him "Yes, I want our family" she told him as soon as she got to him.
"I love you" he smiled, grabbing her hand "You look beautiful".
"You don't look half bad yourself, looks like I'm finally opening my eyes".
"Wide open since New York babe"
"Ladies and Gentlemen" Will called for everyone's attention "On behalf of the bride and groom I'd like to thank everyone for coming today, for those of you that don't know, my name's Will, and I'm honoured to have been asked to do this ceremony today" he smiled at them both. "There's not often a time in everyone's life when they meet a sole mate, or even get to know the person they're going to love for the rest of their lives, but I know that moment came for Sam and Mercedes maybe nine years ago, it's taken a while, but they've finally made it here, and I know we're all happy about this union".
"It's been eleven years" Sam corrected him.
"Eleven years excuse me" Will laughed "Now I guess we get to the official stuff".
The ceremony was over as quickly as it started, they were out of the chapel and walking across the hall into the dining room before they knew what was happening, greeting and thanking the few straggling guests as they went.
"Britt" Sam stood stunned into silence Mercedes wide eyed standing next to him "You made it".
"Mercedes, Sam" she looked at them with tears in her eyes "Congratulations".
"Mommy" a voice came from behind her.
Brittana
Flashback
Brittany had left Lima when the doctors there couldn't help Santana anymore, she was finding it frustrating dealing with the negative attitudes of the care staff and the constant interference of their parents. They'd only just starting living their best life before the accident, she'd walked around in a daze for the month Santana was in hospital doing all the usual things like a robot, she looked at Santana laying in that bed and knew she was the only person that was going to fight for her wife, she made the decision that afternoon and by the evening there were plans in place for them to be on the move, with no consultation with either family.
She had no intention of them going back to their home in Chicago, the family would look there first, once the doctors in Vancouver agreed a treatment and care package she booked them a flight, sold their apartment via an agent and started a new life, one she could manage. The move was part of their future plan anyway, they hadn't told anyone, that was supposed to have been their announcement after Nationals, they'd found themselves a daughter, and they were nearing the end of their adoption process.
Brittany had got the call four days before she made the decision to move Santana, delaying everything until she'd found accommodation, and work, then left the following Monday. When she got to Vancouver, she loved it, got to know the child while they completed the paperwork and decided that there was as good a place as any to start their new life, at least Elizabeth, their daughter, had roots there, not that she had any contact with her birth parents.
So, for the past nine months they'd lived in their two bed apartment in Vancouver, Santana was in a wheelchair, but they weren't considering that to be a permanent state, the past five months had been spent getting to know their two year old daughter. Money wasn't running out just yet, but with Santana home Brittany was getting more time for work, she brought herself some studio time and created a small dance class, that was helping to keep them going, Santana was forever pushing her to be her best self again.
This visit was long overdue, but Santana needed to be in the right headspace for it to happen, they felt she was now, plus at some point Elizabeth would want to know her family, see where her Mommy's came from, so they were duty bound to make the effort.
End of Flashback
"Mommy?" Mercedes asked looking down at the little girl with long brown hair and hazel brown eyes smiling up at her.
"Oh" Brittany looked down smiling at the child "This is Elizabeth our daughter, we'd started adopting her just before…"
"Santana" Sam gasped seeing her following the little girl "It's great to see you" emotion in his voice
"Sam" she smiled holding her arms open for a hug "I didn't get to say thank you, for everything"
"Don't mention it" Sam stepped forward hugging her "It's just really good to see you, both of you" he hugged Brittany too.
"Really good" Mercedes hugged them both
"And we'll tell you all about it later, but right now, we're at your wedding" Brittany pointed at the waiting double doors.
The Wedding
They'd gone all out on the reception, white tables with silverware and crystal glasses, teal and white seating, flower arrangements on each table blending in with the theme and napkins at each place with pictures of Sam and Mercedes as keepsake. The balloon arrangement at the back of the hall in white, silver and teal spelling out Mr & Mrs Evans, as well as pictures of them exaggerating the topic of the day. At the centre of the room, the dancefloor, surrounded by round tables seating eight guests each, the top table brandishing Mr and Mrs placement stems, two chairs with teal covers and white bows singled out for them, it was perfect.
"It's beautiful" Mercedes gasped, impressed with everyone's efforts.
"I hoped you'd like it" he grabbed her hand tighter "Are you ready?" he smiled at her nodding she was already, trying to keep away from those two magic words that somehow meant everything today.
"Ladies and gentlemen I present for the first time Mr & Mrs Sam Evans" Mike announced as the door swung open to reveal the newlyweds, everyone clapping and cheering as they walked into the room.
Of course the traditional speeches went on, food, toasts and laughter, then out of the blue Will got up and knocked his glass for attention "Good afternoon everyone" he smiled looking around the room "I feel I can't let this day go by without saying something, I haven't been myself for a while but I'm glad to say today I feel more like myself than I have in a while, and that's thanks to quite a few people in this room" he looked at various people dotted around the room "I think I said it before but congratulations to Sam and Mercedes Evans on their special day, it's been a long time coming as you've heard from most of the speeches today" he laughed.
"Long time" Sam smiled.
"I've known Sam and Mercedes for maybe 12 years now, it didn't take them long to find each other, and I've been privileged to have witnessed this relationship blossom. They broke up like many of the other couples around at the time but unlike all those other couples, there was never any drama, it was just friends or significant other, and I guess when you build a friendship like that, it's easy to revert from one to the other easily to allow one or both parties to be, or do, what they need to do. Sam and Mercedes have made a lot of sacrifices for this relationship, but these haven't hampered their ambitions, they were always careful of that and I for one commend them for that".
"Thank you" Mercedes held her heart.
"Outrageous stories, I have many, trouble is none of them actually include Sam or Mercedes, so here they are finally married, for better or for worse they say, i think they've weathered many storms and now they're both exactly where they're supposed to be, to the bride and groom" he raised his glass, smiling at everyone following his queue.
There was cake cutting, flower throwing, garter removal and then the first dance, they wanted it all over so that could catch up with Santana, Brittany and the rest of the crew "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the first dance" Mike rounded everyone up again "Apparently Sam and Mercedes have someone special coming in to deliver the song" he looked around the room at the many celebrities "I believe his name is…" Mike looked at Sam wondering why his notes didn't have the artists name
"His name is Freedom, he's my student" Sam told everyone.
"Shut up" Mercedes looked up at her husband, that guy on the lane was a student?"
"A really good student" he laughed, grabbing her hand "But that's not the surprise" taking her to centre floor "May I have this dance Mrs Evans?"
"I think you might Mr Evans" she giggled letting him grab her around the waist, the music started, and they started swaying.
"You wrote this song" she looked up at him shocked "You finally let someone besides me sing one of your songs?"
"You always said I was good at it, let's see" he looked around the room at all her friends and contacts.
"So, what's so special about this Freedom?"
"He does things with his voice that make me think about you" he laughed "And that takes a special voice".
"It's beautiful" she looked up at him.
...I put my pride aside, I traded this whole life Just for one night, just for one night, yeah. It's like Heaven (Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh)
Feels like Heaven when I'm with you, it's like Heaven (Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh) it feels like Heaven when I'm with you...
"I mean every word".
"I love you babe".
"And I think you get it by now, that I love you too" he smiled at her, feeling complete when her head touched his chest.
"I get it".
He stood singing some of the words to his wife, everyone watching as they moved around the floor, not knowing that they were all listening to his song 'Heaven' by Pink Sweat$.
It's more than a thrill, I'm following what's real, and don't get mad when they don't understand
Love you like the time, pull you close at night, and I won't let all these waves knock us down...
"There are no more excuses" he whispered in her ear as everyone clapped their dance.
"Let's go catch up with Santana and Brittany" she pretended not to hear what he'd said.
"Yeah let's" he chuckled to himself, her not having any more excuses was amusing to him "Are you finally going to tell me those two little words I need to hear?" he teased.
"Brittany" she searched the room, pointing at them when she finally found them.
"Thank the lord for Santana and Brittany" he laughed following her "Hey" he pulled her hand back towards him "You're going to tell me those words?" his eyes menacing, her avoidance making him laugh out loud.
"Hey" Mercedes smiled at the sight of the others "I'm so happy to see you both, we've been so worried".
"Santana needed to heal" Brittany grabbed her wife's hand "And this little one was just what the doctor ordered" they sat telling their story, Sam, Mercedes and Will getting more healing out of it than the others knew.
"So, little Elizabeth here was the plan?" Sam grabbed the little girls hand smiling "The name suits this little one" he playfully rubbed her tummy "You look like your Mom Snix" he looked at Mercedes "We're going to have to speak to our other guests, then we're off at nine, but you must keep in touch" Sam looked at both of them warning "We're based in Lima so anytime, just call".
"We'll call, but I've just committed to a dance studio, and Santana spends time at Physio, so visits might be a bit difficult, but you can come to us, I'll leave my address with your Mom". There was going to have to be a time for all five of them to sit and talk in detail about the events of that evening, but tonight just wasn't it.
"Thanks for coming, it means so much" Mercedes hugged them.
"It was a beautiful service, and you look stunning" Santana smiled at her friend "I really missed you".
"Thank you and I missed you two too" she grabbed Sam's hand and left Santana and Brittany to the others.
There were all sorts of people at their reception and each one of them had a story to tell about their time with either Sam or Mercedes, they managed to work the room enough to squeeze as many in as they could.
"Okay, it's time for us to go" Sam turned to Mercedes grinning "Are you going to get changed?" he looked down at her wedding dress.
"Yeah" she let his arm go to get back to her room.
"I'm coming" he called after her leaving Labyrinth and Freedom, talking talent in the care of Will "I want to take that off" he looked down at her dress again, they kissed all the way back to the room "Did you enjoy our day?" he opened the door to let her in
"It was beautiful, everything was beautiful" she smiled at him, before walking in.
"You're beautiful" he caught up with her, kissing her neck "Let's get you out of this dress" he started undoing the tiny buttons down the back, undoing the ribbons, and clips, watching if fall to the floor "Wow" he grinned at the white three piece she had on "That just... Mrs Evans" his voice husky.
"And Mr Evans can wait until we're not in a place where our parents can burst in at any time".
"Oh, Mr Evans is waiting, I want no interruptions when we start, and I have a confession" he sat on the bed watching her add finishing touches to her hair and makeup.
"What did you do?" she got up to get her dress from the hanger on the bathroom door, he sat watching her climb into her dress.
"I upgraded on our suite at the Hyatt we have a balcony now, and I booked us on some tacky excursions, an extra spa day, theatre, I know you'll love that, and it wouldn't be complete without a sightseeing cruise" he laughed.
"You know we're going to miss half of that stuff" she laughed "Will you zip me up please?" she suddenly turned asking.
"I like this" he zipped it up and run his hand down her teal knee length dress, with hanging off the shoulder sleeves, curved around the top of her breasts and clinging to everything as it fell "Paris here we come, literally" he grabbed her hand when he reached it and made for the door.
The twelve hour flight with one transfer was comfortable, especially as Sam had upgraded absolutely everything, and by 5pm on Sunday evening they were standing in the entrance of the Park Hyatt Paris. The hotel was breath taking, the views from the lobby through to the attached gardens were refreshing, and what's more the upgrade was definitely worth it. They walked in to a display of white roses on the key table, champagne, strawberries and a mixture of white, dark and milk chocolates neatly placed on a plate, a menu at the side of the bed and a do not disturb notice on the bed along with white flower petals.
"Okay" Mercedes turned to her husband when she'd finished taking everything in "Can we just go ahead and do this and get it over with so we can start being something called normal, I'm seriously stressing out here so…" his mouth on hers stopped her words.
"How about we just do us, do what we usually do and let this just happen for us when we're ready?"
"Okay" she kissed him again and went over to the balcony "The views worth every penny" she looked out over the busy slushy streets of the town, but in the distance the snow was still white making everything look like a postcard.
"Sure is" he stood behind her his hands on her body, waiting for her to move to his tune.,
"I'm ready" she gasped resting her head on his chest.
"There they are" his head sunk into her neck, happy to finally hear the words "Are you sure?"
"Yes" she raked her fingers through his hair, pulling his head to her as she turned to face him "Totally ready" she pushed him into the room.
It would be a lie to say everything felt the same, they were familiar with each other, but they were both going to a place they'd never been together, he was nervous to make her feel how he felt about her, she was nervous to be good at it. They lay on the bed doing their familiar things, bringing each other to the point of no return "I just need" Sam stretched over to his jacket and pulled out a condom, it took a minute, neither of them were used to the weird silence, and inactivity at this point "Feels weird yeah?" he looked up at her watching him put it on "Ready?"
"Ready" she closed her eyes and let him take the lead, both making noise as they settled into this new stage in their relationship
"Are you alright?" he whispered in her ear as he moved faster.
"I'm fine" she lay watching him, unsure of what she felt, she felt he'd finished.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll feel better the next time" she assured him "Can we do this without the condom?"
"Yeah, it kind of distracted me too" he smiled "Are we talking babies already?"
"Not necessarily, just want things to be more natural".
"I hear that Mrs Evans, that just rolls naturally off the tongue, doesn't it?" he smiled "I'm hoping I'll slow down with time".
"We did it" she looked at him "Did you ever think we'd get here?"
"I always hoped" he looked at her smiling "We've been through so much"
"From jar of hearts, through human nature and..."
"Talking of nature, this human's nature is ready for round two".
"Already".
"Starting as I mean it to go on".
"I told you we weren't going to see many of those excursions" she giggled falling back onto the bed.