DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE BUT THIS STORY/ONE SHOT I DO!

ENJOY :)

"How are you and Daddy holding up? How are the kiddos?"

"You know your father, grumpy because he had to leave the house and just stubborn as ever." Her mother chuckled as she leaned back in the hotel chair, "But Star and Dallas are keeping him entertained and very busy".

Mercedes smiled at the mention of her children. Star was three and Dallas was five. She had dropped them off at her parents so they could spend some time with them for a couple of days but she didn't think that she wouldn't be able to go back and get them. This storm came in with a vengeance too quickly. Knowing that they didn't have a generator, her mother had planned quickly and got them a hotel just in time before it got booked and the weather had got bad. They knew that they couldn't make it to her house and vice versa because they lived forty-five minutes away from each other, "I wish we could all be together during this."

"Baby, we're fine and I know that you are too." The older woman gave her a gentle smile, "And don't you worry about your babies, they are having a good time too."

"I know because they haven't even asked about me." She snorted, causing her mother to throw her head back in laughter, "I'm just glad that y'all are okay."

"We are. Hopefully we can get out of here in the next couple of days, but until then, I'm going to enjoy not cleaning and cooking."

Mercedes giggled before sending her a smile, "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, my sweet baby girl."

"Tell the babies and Dad that I love them. I'll check in on y'all later."

"I will. Take care honey and stay warm and safe."

"I will." Mercedes said her goodbyes before hanging up, hearing the timer go off in the kitchen. She got off the couch and made her way to it.

Mercedes zipped up in her bubble coat and pulled her beanie down on her head after putting her mask on. It was one thing for them to be in a pandemic, but this snow storm had came in with a vengeance, especially in the state of Texas and the south in general. Thankfully she had a four wheel drive that could get through these icy roads safely. Because of that, she wanted to do something for the light men and linemen that had been in her area for the last twenty four hours. With the help of some of her next door neighbors teens, they loaded up in her truck and begin to track them down. Finding them about row blocks down, she made a circle, then put the truck in reverse, watching as all the men turned into her direction when they saw the truck backing up, so that the truck bed was in front of them. Once she put it park, she got out of her truck carefully and sent them a wave, her smile not seen because it was hidden behind her mask, "Hey there. My name is Mercedes and I live two blocks down. I brought you guys something to eat and drink."

The men watched as the other two doors opened, one girl coming out the back with two baskets that were filled with sandwiches and chips. The two boys eat down the bed of the truck, were they had been sitting, holding on to the large canisters, while the other girl came out and placed another basket up there that contained utensils, napkins, bowls and cups.

"This is homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and some coffee. It's plenty enough for y'all, so enjoy."

"Wow, thank you so much."

"Yes, thank you. You have no idea how much this means." The older man said with a smile as he looked at her, "I guess you college kids have nothing but time on your hands."

"I'll definitely take that as a compliment because I'm well over thirty, married and have two kids." Mercedes snorted once she saw the surprised looks on their faces, "It still has been quite challenging but I'm a patient woman, who knows how to cut wood and get a source of heat. Despite that, it's been a long, long two days. I'm pretty sure, despite the frustration, everyone is appreciative. I know I am for all of you."

"We came all the way from New Mexico to help out our neighboring states and we thank you for your kindness."

"Yeah, you're actually the first person that we've met so far that haven't cussed us out for not being quick enough."

"And I'm sorry that y'all had to go through that." The words left her mouth just as she saw one of the local trucks pulling up and parking in the middle of the ice covered street. She watched as the door opened, the man stepping down and landing on the ice carefully.

"Sam Evans, right?"

"Yes sir."

"Dalton said that you were stopping by this morning."

Sam gave them a friendly smile before reaching out to shake his hand, "Yeah, we had a line break and a spark, so it kind of threw us off schedule. Me and my crews have been working for eighteen hours straight. I had to squeeze in a nap before I came over."

"That's understandable. We've got about 2,500 in this western area back on and we still have a long ways to go. Luckily we were just blessed with a much needed break."

Sam rubbed his beard as his eyes looked around before settling back on some of the men leaning on the trucks, tearing up the food, "I see y'all got some for your stomachs."

"This nice woman made us a meal. We truly appreciate it because we haven't had much of a break that either."

Sam glanced over to where the man gestured, watching the woman closely with a grin as she made her way towards him.

Mercedes carefully maneuvered towards him, "How long you have before you have to be back out?"

"I was needed in the next city an hour ago. I just stopped by to check in."

Mercedes nodded as she placed the two sandwiches in his hands and gave him a bottle of water.

"Thank you ma'am."

Mercedes gave him a smile before walking away, going over to make sure everyone else was fine before she went to get something out of her truck.

Sam unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite, leaning against his truck as he continued to chat it up with the men from New Mexico.

"Any woman who so selflessly come out in this mess and makes food for complete strangers is a keeper. Her husband is a lucky man and I hope he cherish her."

Sam glanced back over to where she was, looking down at her left hand. Sure enough, there was a engagement ring and a wedding band, "He really should."

After a while, the men were finishing up the lunch and getting off their much needed breaks, thanking Mercedes once again as they got back in their trucks, not without her telling them to get them so more to take with them before she walked back over to Sam, who was finishing up his second sandwich. Mercedes held the two thermos that she filled with soup and a bag of extra sandwiches, chips, and water, "Something for the road."

"Thank you pretty lady." He took the items from her and placed them in his truck. Once he got done, he turned back and looked at the woman, who was now invading his space.

Mercedes pulled down her mask and leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips, speaking quietly, "Please be careful out there."

"You know I will." He kissed her once more before leaning his head against hers, "You know the kids haven't called me?"

Mercedes snorted as she placed her hand on the side of his face, "Don't feel bad, they've neglected me too."

Sam pulled back to stare down at her, "I really wasn't expecting you when I got here."

"You either." She said with a shrug, "They have been working relentlessly and been encountering a lot of hell from these neighbors. It pissed me off because I thought about what you're probably going through as well with these ungrateful people."

"You know I ignore and just do my job."

"Not the point. Y'all are risking your lives and wearing yourselves out to make sure that the people in these cities get their power on."

"Breathe."

"I'm breathing." She huffed, getting that rant off her heart, "Anyways, it's the least I could do to say thank you."

Sam smiled at her, "Well, one thing's for sure, they were right when they said I was a lucky man."

A smile twitched on her lips, teasingly speaking, "They are indeed correct. You are a very lucky man to have me as your wifey and the mother of your children. Don't ever forget it."

Sam chuckled as he hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. He wanted nothing more than to go home with her right now but he had to do his job, "I love you."

"I love you more. Be safe, baby and call me if you get tired...just call me whenever you can, okay?" Mercedes watched as he nodded, giving her another long kiss before getting back into his truck, prompting her to step back and sigh. This was her first time seeing her husband, other than on FaceTime, in two days and she missed him terribly. She always worried for him when he went out for work, but she was especially worried for him now. This job was so dangerous on a normal day, but it was ten times worse now. The roads were icy and hard to maneuver through, but she knew that he was going to be okay.