First we want to thank you guys for all the love and reviews. We are really happy that you love them both and can't wait for you to see what we have in store for them.
Mercedes was excited, she and Sam were going away on a trip for three amazing days. Everything between them had been perfect and it was killing her not to fully give herself to him, but she wanted it to be special. Wanted their first time to mean something.
As her car pulled up to the Ranch, she smiled brightly going to the door and knocking.
A cute blonde girl opened the door and smiled knowingly as she leaned against the door. "Ah, you must be Mercedes."
Mercedes knew right away it was Stacey, she looked just like them. "Hi you must be Stacey. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"That's what they call me. On good days anyway," Stacey giggled. She opened her arms and hugged Mercedes in greeting. "It's so good to finally meet you too. Sammy talks about you all the time. He's still packing." She rolled her eyes affectionately.
Hugging the girl back she beamed. "He has told me alot about you too." She laughed. "Yeah it took me a week to pack so I get it."
Stacey let Mercedes in fully and closed the door behind them. "We went to Dollywood when we were kids and I swear Sammy was still searching for socks while Ma was strapping Stevie into his booster seat," she laughed, shaking her head.
"You talking bad about me?" Sam asked as he came down the stairs with suitcase in hand.
Mercedes laughed. "Girl my brothers are the same way. it's like they keep forgetting things. We ended up having to buy them new things." She smiled seeing Sam. "Always." Walking over to him she kissed him softly.
Sam hummed happily against her lips. "Well, you're gonna have to put up with me all weekend, so the joke's on you," he teased. He turned and smiled at his sister. "And thanks for taking over for me this weekend."
"Don't you worry about it," Stacey insisted. "You deserve some time off. Besides, I love pumpkin season. Just go have fun. Take lots of pictures and bring me a souvenir."
"I'd spend my life stuck with you Sam. You know this already." She turned towards Stacey. "I promise he won't work at all this weekend and I will help if needed here when we get back."
"We'll be fine. This ain't our first rodeo," Stacey insisted, waving her hands at them. "You already said your goodbyes, so you just go on. Have a safe flight." She hugged each of them once more before shooing them out the door.
Mercedes laughed as they made their way to the car. "I am glad that I finally get to meet Stacey, she is truly a delight. Like you and the rest of your family."
"Yeah, she's a good egg," Sam agreed, loading his bag into the back of Mercedes' car. "The women in our family have a tendency to outshine us menfolk." He laughed as he climbed in, already in a really good mood in anticipation of this trip.
"You all are." She boasted. As she drove to the airport, she looked at Sam. "I have been looking forward to this trip all week."
Sam reached out and laid his hand on her leg, just to have a connection. "Me too. Both cause I get to spend time with you and cause I get to spend multiple days not worrying about produce. Win/win."
"I mean you are gonna worry, but just not as much If they need you, they will call you." Pulling into the airport she parked her car in overnight parking and helped Sam get the bags out.
"Shh, don't call me out like that," Sam teased. He walked into the airport with her and looked around. "I picked my uncle up here once, but I've never actually done this flying thing before so bear with me, yeah?"
"I got you baby. And you are flying in style we are in first class." As they made their way through boarding, she slipped out of he shoes and did all the things TSA required to do. Once they made it to the gate she smiled pulling Sam close to her. "The worst part is taking off. But once you are in the air it's fun."
"You spoil me." Sam did everything he was told as he went through the whole thing. He wrapped his arms around as she moved closer to him. He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. "Will you hold my hand?"
Well I mean it is my job that spoiled us both but like I got you lol." She nodded. "I will hold whatever you want me too."
Sam's eyebrows raised as he looked down at her. "Mercedes Jones! Who knew there was such a naughty girl under those pencil skirts and blazers?" he teased.
"Okay maybe I am a little naughty." she smiled. "But that is mostly your fault."
"Well, we have all weekend to be naughty. I don't know if I'm ready to get caught doing it on my first plane flight," Sam admitted with a laugh.
Mercedes laughed shaking her head. "How about we just enjoy first class and all its perks. Then when we get back to the hotel we can make up for lost time. I feel like I barely saw you in these last two weeks, but I know that was my doing. Work was so busy."
"Mmm, sounds good to me." Sam shook his head slightly. "Not your fault. Pumpkin season's been as crazy as ever and I tried to get as much done as possible so everything would be smooth sailing this weekend. Plus I've had this weird feeling in my gut lately. I don't know what it is."
She raised an eyebrow. "Weird feeling in your gut? What does it feel like?"
Sam's mouth quirked to the side and shrugged. "Just... like something bad is going to happen. It's probably silly. Maybe it's just cause my life's finally starting to go well and I'm not used to it," he chuckled.
"Sam... do you- do you think coming on this trip with me that something bad is gonna happen?"
"No, no," Sam answered quickly. "Actually, this is the first time I haven't felt it all week. It's the farm that's making me feel weird. Like something's off there, but I can't figure out what it is."
She nodded. "Well maybe being on this trip will clear your head and you can focus on it. This way you might figure out what is off."
"Maybe." He'd checked everything he could think to check and all was in place. Pumpkin season was going great. He didn't know what it was. "But I'm not gonna worry about it right now. Because I'm already getting into relaxation mode and this weekend's about you and me." He took her hand and brought it up to his lips.
She nodded. "Yes, you and me." She kissed him softly. As they loaded plane Mercedes excitedly awaited for them to land in Miami. The flight actually didn't take that long and she was glad that within a few hours they were touching down.
Sam held her hand on the plane as it took off and periodically throughout the flight just because he wanted to. He actually found the whole thing pretty exciting. But soon enough they were there and he was looking out the plane window excited at Miami. "There's so much water down there."
"It's even more beautiful in person. The resort we are staying at has the most beautiful view. And I may have called ahead so we can see it from our room." As they landed and dismounted from the plane, they were met at baggage claim by their driver.
"It all sounds amazing," he told her, his fingers sliding between hers. "Is there balcony by any chance?"
Mercedes smiled. "Oh yeah it does." Grabbing her bag, she handed it to the driver and smiled brightly walking hand in hand with Sam. Once in the back of the Limo she smiled scooting next to him. "So first class plane tickets, limo rides. How do you feel being pampered like this?"
Sam just shrugged. "I mean, it's alright. Sorry, I don't mean to sound ungrateful. It's very, very cool. But honestly? I'm just really excited to have some time just us. No family, no work. The perks are nice, but you... are the real prize," he told her with a kiss.
Mercedes blushed leaning in and kissing him. "You say the sweetest thing to me Sam. I love you." She kissed him back and leaned against him as they drove. Once they made it to the Resort she smiled stepping out of the Limo. Walking to the front desk she grabbed their keys and turned to Sam. "So my conference is tomorrow around 8 am so we have the afternoon to ourselves."
Sam rocked on his heels. "I don't really know anything to do here, so I guess I'll leave it up to you. But I wouldn't really mind checking out the room first, seeing what that view looks like."
"Mercedes Jones? Fancy meeting you here Counselor."
Mercedes frowned looking at Sam. "I am so sorry about this." She turned to the taller man in front of her. "Noah I thought you weren't making it this year."
"I wasn't but when my girl ignores me for months and refuses to see me, plans change."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "I am not your girl."
"Is this what deja vu feels like?" Sam muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes slightly. He lifted his head though and rested his arms on Mercedes' arms from behind. "She's my girl actually."
"Your girl?" Noah's eyes narrowed.. "Yeah, sure. We will see how long that lasts when you get blue balls." He whispered under his breath. "The name is Noah Grandeen." Noah extended his hand out to Sam.
Sam looked at the hand first, but as his mother raised him right, he shook it. "Sam Evans," he replied. "And thank you for your concern for my balls. Most people I meet just don't care about them enough. I do have excellent hearing though, so there's that."
Shaking his hand he turned his attention to Mercedes. "So we have to grab lunch or something while we are here."
"No thanks I think I made myself very clear when I didn't return any of your messages."
Noah laughed. "Just figured you needed time."
"Well you figured wrong."
"I'm still standing right here, dude," Sam pointed out, shaking his head. "Could you maybe not ask my girlfriend out in front of me? Or... ever."
Noah laughed. "Bro she was my girlfriend up until a few months ago. So chill I just want to catch up."
"Noah we broke up. I wanted a faithful boyfriend and you wanted to screw your assistant. Me coming to your office and finding you with her, then telling you we were done, that was me breaking up with you. SO if you will excuse us. My boyfriend and I want to check out our room."
Mercedes pushed past him and walked to the elevator. "I am so sorry about that. He's an idiot."
Sam gave the guy a little wave as he followed Mercedes, wrapping a possessive arm around. "I do have one question."
Mercedes nodded. "You can ask me anything."
"Do you have any idea why we both had such awful taste in dates before we met each other?"
"My guess is we had to hit the bottom to really appreciate someone who is perfect for us."
Sam smiled at that. "I like your logic." Once they stepped onto the elevator, he took the opportunity in their moment alone to kiss her long and hard.
He kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him back. "I am glad I found you Sam Evan's. You are everything I didn't know I wanted."
He leaned back against the wall of the elevator, still holding onto her. "You mean you weren't out looking for a guy who lives with his parents and sells fruit on the side of the road?" he teased her.
She kissed him again, slowly and teasingly. "I wasn't expecting the love of my life to just appear in my life. I don't care if you sell fruit on the side of the road or if you are a lion tamer in the circus...if you were a clown that would be a deal breaker. But no I don't care about any of that. I care about how you make me feel. And you are amazing."
Sam laughed at the clown comment, shaking his head at how darn cute she was. "I promise to never wear too much makeup," he teased as the elevator doors opened. He held onto her hand as they walked to find their room. "And, for the record, you're pretty darn amazing yourself."
Mercedes beamed but didn't say a word. Walking to their door she opened in and was immediately amazed. She had heard the Mandarin Oriental was amazing but this was beautiful. Her eyes went right to the balcony dropping her bags and heading right to the balcony.
Sam laughed, quickly following her out the sliding glass door. His eyes lit up like a little kid on Christmas as he looked out at the water. "Wow. It's real," he declared in awe.
She pulled him closer to her and kissed his cheek. "Yes it's real." She said leaning against him.
His smile was bright as he looked over at her. "It's beautiful. Not quite as beautiful as you, but still... pretty damn awesome." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Thank you for inviting me."
Mercedes smiled. "I wouldn't want anyone else here with me." She turned towards him. "We are about to have so much fun. But we have a reservation for dinner then we can walk on the beach."
"You're gonna keep me busy, aren't you?" Sam tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before he leaned down to kiss her.
She nodded as he kissed her. Placing her arms around his neck she pulled him closer to her. "But I think we have some time to just enjoy each other." She said tugging on his hair as she deepened the kiss.
Sam moaned slightly into her kiss. "Good. Because I very much enjoy you."
"Oh? And where would you like to enjoy me first?"
Sam lifted his arm up and looked at his watch. "Depends. How long do we have before this reservation?"
She pulled her phone out and smiled. "Dinner is at 8 and its 5:30 now. So we have a little bit of time for some fun."
"Excellent." Sam wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, carrying her back into the room. "Then I say we see how bouncy this bed is."
Mercedes wrapped her legs around his waist as he lifted her up. "Lets!"
Sam moved over to the bed and leaned down, dropping her onto it from a safe distance. "Oh, yeah, that's a good bounce," he declared, laughing as he crawled in beside her and kissed her.
Mercedes let out a scream as he dropped her. "Good bounce my ass you dropped me!" She laughed. Pulling him closer to her she kissed him deeply nipping at his lip as she did so.
"That's how you get the bounce!" Sam insisted, giggling playfully as she kissed him. "Don't worry, I'll kiss it better." He moved his upper body on top of her so he could get a better angle to deepen the kiss and get a good taste of her.
"Mmm I love it when you kiss and make it better." She moaned out feeling his body against hers.
His hand slipped under her hips and drew her up against him. "You can have all the kisses you want anytime you want 'em," he promised her as his lips moved along her jaw.
She moved her head to the side giving him better access. "Baby" she moaned. "I love when you make me feel good."
"Mmm, I love you." He found her lips again, his heart beating fast in his chest with how happy he was in that moment.
"I love you too." Running her hands up his chest, she hissed at the feel of his abs. "Farming does a body right and I am loving it." she teased
Sam sat back and started unbuttoning his shirt. "Only right to give the lady a proper view, right? Besides, this is Miami. I hear they don't wear shirts here." He winked at her as he let it slip down his arms.
"Oh I mean it's only right." She eyed him and smiled. "Mmmm and that all mines. How did I get so lucky."
Sam leaned down again and hovered over her. "I'm the lucky one here and I know it," he told her confidently as he brushed his lips over hers. "Let's just hope I don't have a farmer's tan by the end of the vacation. That'd be ironic. It'd be a farmer's vacation tan."
Mercedes held up her hands. "Wait, wait please. Tell me what the heck is a farmer's tan? Cause I need to know."
Sam stopped and sat back on his heels staring at her in disbelief. "You don't know what a farmer's tan is? When did you move to Nashville again? Cause you must have seen some this summer?"
"I might have but if I don't know what I am looking for how will I know what its called?"
Sam hummed, looking away for a moment. "That's a good point," he laughed before looking back at her. "So a farmer's tan is when you've got real tan arms, but then it ends... right about here," he explained, pointing at his upper arm where his t-shirt sleeve would usually lay. "Or possibly here, if you're a tank sorta guy," he added, moving his finger up to his shoulder. "We spend a lotta time outside in t-shirts, basically."
Mercedes jaw dropped. "Ohhhh okay yeah...is that why some of you walk around shirtless?"
Sam could only laugh. "I mean, there's a few reasons. That's definitely one of them. Also it just gets real hot in Tennessee, babe," he reminded her. "And once in a great while, I'm just showing off."
"Mmmmm well I do love seeing you show off." She ran her hand down his chest. "If I would have seen you shirtless that first day I probably wouldn't have come up to you."
Sam chuckled. "Well, that's why we don't sell fruit with our shirts off," he told her. "Kinda gotta be family friendly there. I don't spend as much time out in the fields as I used to, but when I am and the sun's beating down on me... that's another matter."
Mercedes smiled. "I am gonna need to see you one day in the fields, shirtless and looking all sexy."
"You're know you're welcome to visit anytime," Sam reminded her. "Though to be fair, nine times out of ten you'll probably find me behind my desk nowadays. But if you warn me, I'll make it happen." He winked down at her playfully.
"I am extremely lucky then." She looked over to the clock. "I need to take a shower. We need to be downstairs soon."
Sam pouted a little, but moved out of her way. "Okaaaay." He kissed her one more time, lingering against her lips. "I'll miss you."
"Baby I am going to shower not going to war." She kissed him. "I'll be back." She stood grabbing her things then going into the bathroom.
Mercy: Hey Mac just letting you know I made it to Miami.
Mac: Good you by yourself?
Mercy: Didn't wifey tell you that I was bringing Sam?
Mac: Maybe. But she pregnant you know she forgets things.
Mercy: Yeah well she said she wasn't feeling well it's why I am texting you instead of her.
Sam reached his hand out dramatically as she walked to the bathroom. "And yet, I miss you already."
Sam: Landed safe and sound. The view's amazing here!
Stacey: Can I see?
Dad: Good to hear, son.
Sam: [attaches photo of the ocean]
Mom: Be safe there, sweetie
Sam: Yes, Mama. Love you all. Heading to dinner.
Stevie: You suck
Mac: Still don't see why you had to take that guy with you
Mercy: His name is Sam and it's like I still don't see why you had to marry my best friend and take her with you.
Mac: Cause I love her.
Mercy: And I love him.
Mac: Does he deserve you
Mercy: I think he does.
Mac: Okay well I will find out in a few weeks.
Mercy: yes you will. but I gotta go
Mac: Yeah yeah I love you Q ands the baby loves you.
Mercy: Kiss em both for me. I love you too.
Mercedes put her phone own and went into the shower. 20 minutes later she walked out of the bathroom wearing a strapless blush above the knee dress. She moved to step into her heels and finish her hair.
Sam looked up from the game he was playing on his phone as she stepped out and a bright smile appeared on his face. "Look how gorgeous you are. I am one lucky man. Who... should probably get dressed."
She blushed. "Well I am glad you like it." She moved to the mirror to apply her makeup. "Yes Sir you should get ready."
"Fine. But while you're at your conference tomorrow, I'm being the laziest. Gonna lay on this bed and watch Chris Evans save the world while I order room service. And no one can stop me," he laughed as he found his clothes, heading into the bathroom to take a quick shower himself.
"Samuel Evans you best be talking about Captain America only and not infinity wars or Endgame cause we fighting if you are." She teased back and finished getting read.
Sam opened the bathroom door and stuck his head out. "What are you gonna do about it if I am? You gotta go be a lawyer! Ha! I'm in the shower now, I can't hear youuuuu!" He kept laughing as he hopped in and turned the water on.
Mercedes shook her head laughing. She finished getting dressed and then she walked out to the balcony looking out.
Sam put on the dress pants he'd bought for their second date and a striped button up, leaving the top button undone. He styled his hair quickly before stepping out, smiling when he saw Mercedes out on the balcony. "We better go so we're not late."
Mercedes turned towards him. "Well damn if I knew you were coming out looking this good I would have ordered in." She reached for her purse and smiled. "Lets go."
Sam's cheeks turned a soft pink as he smiled at her. He reached his hand out and slipped it into hers comfortably as they walked down the hall. "So how weird is the food you're taking me to eat?"
Mercedes laughed."baby it's a steakhouse downstairs. So it's not that weird." Walking towards the elevator she looped her arms in his.
"Oh, whew." Sam brought his free hand up to his chest and breathed out dramatically. "Not that I'm totally against trying new things, but I just like to know ahead of time. I have a feeling they have a lot more... cuisine here than they do back home."
"Trust me we will have lunch at this really cool place but I will tell you ahead of time." They made their way to the restaurant and she smiled. "Hi, reservation under Jones?"
"Yes, follow me." the host said as he lead them to their seat.
Sam raised a curious eyebrow, but let it go for the time being. He followed them to their table and held a chair out for Mercedes. "Well, so far, this is the best vacation I've ever been on," he declared as he took his own seat.
Mercedes smiled as she took her seat. "So order what you want, it's on the company."
"Ms. Jones."
Mercedes looked up and smiled. "Mr. Clarington. How are you?"
"Good! Oh sir this is my boyfriend Sam, Sam this is on of the partners at the firm. Hunter Clarington. "
"Nice to meet you. Sam Evans," Sam introduced himself as he held a hand out in greeting. "And may I say, you hired a very talented lady here."
Hunter laughed. "Don't we know it and you must be something special for her to bring here."
Mercedes smiled."He truly is."
"Well isn't this just a lovely scene. Hunt, Merce."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Noah. Well if you gentlemen will excuse us, Sam and I are about to enjoy our evening."
Sam sighed as the guy walked up again. Just when he thought they'd escaped crazy exes. "It was nice to meet you, Hunter. I hope you have a good night."
Noah laughed walking away, and sitting at a table right across from theirs. Mercedes rolled her eyes looking at Sam. "We can go if you want but I don't want him ruining out night."
Sam shook his head and reached across the table to take her hand in his. "If you want to go, we can, but I'm fine. I'm here with the woman I love. I do wanna say again how sorry I am about all the crap that happened back home though because I know it was a lot worse than this and I already wanna punch that guy."
Mercedes smiled. "I wanna punch him too. Over and over just cause he is so damn smug." She looked at her menu. "Don't know about you, but I want steak!"
"I pretty much always want steak," Sam admitted with a laugh. "Have you ever seen those kid's toys that you punch but they keep popping back up at you?"
"A man after my own heart." She said with a smile. "I think I know what you are talking about. Like kids punching bags."
"Yeah, but like... there's water or a weight in the bottom of them or whatever. Sometimes they're clowns, but I realize you would never allow such a thing," Sam laughed. "I'm starting to feel like our exes are scary clown boppers though. You hit them away and they keep popping back up."
"I know what you mean..." Mercedes frowned. "I didn't know he was coming Sam I promise. He never comes to these things."
Sam shook his head quickly. "It's not your fault, babe. I didn't mean to complain. It's just kind of amazing to me," he chuckled. "But I guess the universe figures if we can get through this, we can get through anything, right?"
"I know I just hate that our romantic weekend is being invaded by a loser like him." she took his hand. "I love you and love being here with you."
Sam's thumb moved over the back of her hand. "I love you too. And we're gonna have an amazing weekend," he promised her with a soft smile. The waitress appeared and they put in their orders, Sam leaning in against once she was gone. "So tell me about this scary lunch you have planned."
Mercedes smile. "It's not scary just different. We are going to this restaurant on the beach. That is really either a hit or miss with taste."
"Hmm, well it being on the beach does help a little," Sam mused. "If the food's awful, at least the view will be nice. And the company will be the highlight, of course."
"Oh yeah and if the food sucks we can come back to our room and order take out. I also signed us up for scuba diving lessons."
Sam's eyebrows raised and he let out a little laugh. "You're really making the most of this weekend. I like it. Do you know when you'll be back tomorrow?"
"This is just the beginning of our vacations. I want us to have fun, you deserve it." She took a sip of her drink. "It will end probably around 10am. Then I'm all yours."
"So do you," Sam reminded her. "You work hard too and it's nice to see you just having fun. Even nicer to get to experience it with you."
"Well we are gonna have a lot of fun. I was thinking about parasailing too. What do you think?"
"Mmhmm... interesting. Or, and I'm just throwing this out there, maybe something on the ground," Sam suggested.
Mercedes laughed shaking her head. "You sure you wanna stay on the ground? Cause it could be fun if not."
"The ground or the water preferably," Sam admitted. "If you really wanna go, I could watch you from the boat."
"We can stay on the ground if you want Sam, its okay. Cause I don't want to do it without you."
"Okay. Sorry." Sam rested his chin on his fist and offered her a cute little pout. "To be fair, I gave up my passion of visiting the circus for you, so it's only fair," he teased with a little grin.
Mercedes beamed shaking her head. "Okay so no circus and doing crazy things on in the air."
"Compromise. We're doing so good at this relationship thing already," Sam laughed, sitting back when their food arrived.
Mercedes smiled. "Yes we are. We might just go the distance here." She thanked the waiter and reached her hand out to Sam's so they could pray. "Thank you for the food, bless Sam and I and the rest of this awesome trip. Amen."
"You know a prayer's good when it includes the word 'awesome'," Sam laughed as he began to eat. "I sent my family a photo of the view from the balcony while you were in the shower. Pretty sure they're all jealous. Especially Stevie, who told me I sucked."
"Well this trip is going to be awesome cause it already is." She poured the A1 sauce and ketchup on her plate. "You gotta be nice to Stevie. Like really nice to him." She said knowing that if it wasn't for Stevie they might not be here right now.
Sam dropped his hands on the table softly and stared at her. "I just told you he told me I sucked, which I very nicely did not respond to and you tell me to be nice to him?"
"I am just saying, he is the reason we are here. He wants to see you happy." She looked at him. "He loves you so much."
"I know he does," Sam sighed, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "That doesn't mean he's not a little brat sometimes."
"Oh he is a rat. It's his job. But he also is really good at giving speeches. " she dug into her baked potato. "So to thank him I sent him someone."
Sam licked his lips, his brows drawing together curiously. "I'm guessing I know who the someone is, but... what kind of speech did he give?"
Mercedes smiled. "Marley is on her way to help, but he gave the kinda speech that made me stay when all I wanted to do was run."
"Well, that's only a little terrifying," Sam chuckled. "I knew he went to talk to you, but I can only imagine what embarrassing things he said. I suppose I'm glad he said them though. Has Marley ever been on a farm before?"
"He didn't say anything embarrassing Sam, he just told me some truths that I needed to hear. As for Marls nope. But I am sure that just means Stevie gets to help her out."
Sam just hummed, still curious but realizing it probably wasn't his business. "I'm kinda sad I'm gonna miss seeing that," he admitted with a laugh. "But I'm sure Stace will fill me in. And I'm in Miami with you so I'm not that sad."
Mercedes put her fork down. "How about after dinner we walk along the beach?"
"I would love that," Sam agreed. "Then I can touch the ocean and really make sure it's real." He laughed as he reached out for her hand again. "And maybe kiss you on the beach if you'll let me."
She smiled with a nod. "I think that would be fun, and kissing you on the beach is such a romantic thought.
"Then we should make it a romantic reality," Sam suggested with a wink. "Like the opening scene of Grease."
"Oh so does that mean you are gonna go tell your friends I got down in the sand?" she sung teasing him.
"I said the opening of Grease, not the douchey bragging part," Sam pointed out with a laugh. "You haven't really met any of my friends, have you? Except the ones who aren't my friends anymore."
Mercedes shook her head. "I think we were both caught up in our world that we didn't talk about that. But I do want to meet your friends. I want them to like me."
"I can't imagine anyone not liking you," Sam told her with a smile. "Whether you'll like them is another matter. Blaze, in particular, is an... acquired taste," he laughed.
Taking a sip of her drink she smiled. "Why is he an acquired taste?"
"Well, he's... how can I put this? Nuts," Sam laughed. "His personality is a little larger than life, which has gotten him in trouble more than once. But I think you'll like Ryder and Madison. They're sweethearts."
Mercedes nodded. "Well you know of Quinn she has been my best friend since we were in PreK. You will get to meet her at the game since she is also my sister in law. But if we are talking about Larger than life then he might give San a run for her money. Santana is bold as hell."
"There's always one in every group, isn't there?" Sam laughed. "There were seven of us that were inseparable in high school. Like some horrible teen movies."
"Always one." she laughed. "I find it sweet. Most of my people are scattered around but we still find time to get together." Mercedes smiled. "How about we have them box up our leftovers and send them to the room and we go for that walk?"
"Amazingly, all but one of us stuck around. I guess that's country life for you though," Sam mused. "Sounds perfect."
Mercedes signaled the waiter. "Hi, would you please box these up and send them to room 1020?"
"Yes Ma'am. Should I bill the room?"
"Yes Please." She said signing the check on the table. "I added your tip in there. Enjoy."
Mercedes stood holding her hand out. "Mr. Evans. Shall we?"
Sam slipped his hand into hers comfortably and walked with her, just taking in everything around him. It was definitely different than anywhere he'd ever been before and he was just trying not to act like a kid in a candy store.
Mercedes stopped so she could talk her heels off and then she leaned against Sam as they walked further. "It is so beautiful out here."
Sam stumbled slightly as they stepped onto the sand. "Well, that's weird," he chuckled. "It really is. Here, let's take a selfie so I can send it back home. Then we'll go into romance mode, I promise."
Mercedes laughed. "Okay but first take your shoes off. It will make walking in the sand easier."
Sam carefully balanced himself so he could take one shoe off at a time, humming as his bare feet hit the sand. "Oh, that's very nice." He pulled his phone out and turned them so the water was behind them so he could take a photo. "Sorry. I know I'm probably acting like a fool right now."
Mercedes shook her head. "You are not acting like a fool at all." As he snapped the picture she kissed his cheek.
Sam smiled brightly, feeling the happiness all the way down to his bones as he took the picture. "Perfect," he declared, showing her the photo before he sent it to his family group chat. "Alright, I'm all yours."
Mercedes blushed seeing the picture. "I agree it was perfect." She lead him down to a cove that she had wanted to see. "The smell of the water, the feel of the sand it's all so amazing."
"It's... it's crazy," Sam admitted with a laugh. "I never thought I'd see something like this in person. Can I... go step in it?"
"Well with me all this and more is possible." She nodded putting her shoes and purse on the cove. "I'll race you to the water?" She said before taking off running.
"Hey! Cheater!" Sam called, laughing as he raced after her. He caught up with her and wrapped arms around her waist, lifting her up and spinning around. "Oh, gosh! That sure is invigorating," he laughed as his feet hit the water and he set her back down.
Mercedes laughed as Sam caught her and spun her around. She turned towards him as he put her down. She glanced around the cove and smiled. "Lets go deeper." She said taking his hand and pulling him deeper into the water.
"I'm wearing my good pants! Literally, my only good pants," Sam laughed. "You're paying for dry cleaning." He followed her all the same, holding onto her hand.
"We will send them out as soon as we get back to the room." She said as she pulled him further into the water. As they stood in the water she wrapped her around round his neck and kissed him.
Sam hummed happily against her lips. "If you're a bird, I'm a bird," he whispered.
She looked at him and smirked what does that mean?"
Sam's brows raised slightly. "The Notebook? One of the best romance movies of all time?"
Her eyes widened. "I wasn't even thinking." She laughed. "I feel foolish now."
Sam just giggled. "Well... if you're a fool, I'm a fool, right?"
"Right!" A small wave brush up splashing them and Mercedes splashed Sam before moving away from him.
"I can't believe I dressed up for you and you drug me in the ocean!" Sam teased, scooping some water up with his hands and tossing it back at her.
She tried to block the water he tossed at her. "Its call being spontaneous!" She yelled splashing him again.
Sam couldn't deny he was having a blast. Growing up, he'd just always been spontaneous in clothes from WalMart or the thrift store. But none of that really matter when he saw the smile on Mercedes' face. "I love you, you crazy girl."
Mercedes danced around Sam. "I love you too. And I love nights like this. Where it's you, me and the stars."
"Mmm, me too. We should have more of them. Even if we don't have an ocean back home. We'll always have the stars." He reached out and drew her close to him so he could kiss her again.
Mercedes wrapped her arms around him as he kissed her. "Thank you for coming with me. Tonight has been perfect. "
"Yes, it has," Sam agreed quietly. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd felt like this. Maybe he never had before. "This water's getting a little chilly though. Why don't we... go back to the room?"
"Okay, that sounds good." She said kissing him one last time in the water. "I love you Sam Evans."
Sam rested his forehead against hers and took a deep breath in just to experience the moment, make sure he'd always remember it. He could smell the ocean, hear her breathing mixed with the waves. "I love you too, Mercedes. So much."
Mercedes took his hand in hers and sighed contently as she lead him off the beach, grabbing their shoes and heading towards their room. Once they made it, she grabbed the towel and handed it to Sam. "How are you feeling?"
"A little damp," Sam chuckled as he started to unbutton his shirt. "Kinda wanna take another shower." He moved closer to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "But also I'm feeling real happy."
Mercedes laughed. "You can take a shower I am gonna take a bubble bath."
"Mmm, that sounds nice. You're a smart woman." Sam couldn't deny that he'd love to join her, but he wasn't going to push anything. That was her pace to set. "I'll be quick," he promised her.
She looked at him. "Yes I have been known to be pretty smart. You know if you want we can join me...I am not quite ready for our night to end...but that is only if you wanted to join me."
A smile slowly spread across Sam's face and he nodded. "Yeah? If you're sure... I'd very much love to join you."
"I may not know where this weekend is going to end up with us but I know what I want right now and that is to relax in a nice bath with you." She kissed him softly. "If you can look in the pink bag on the table and grab the candles and bath bombs I can start the water." She started to go to the bathroom but stopped. "I didn't plan this I was just hopeful I suppose."
Sam moved toward the bag, turning when she spoke again. "It would be okay even if you did plan it," he told her with a smirk. "I just like being close to you, Cedes."
Mercedes kissed him softly. "Get the candles." She moved to the bathroom and filled up the oversized tub.
"Can do." Sam watched her as she walked away, smiling to himself as he silently told his heartbeat to settle down. He retrieved the candles and a bath bomb from the bag before stepping into the bathroom. "Do we have a way to light these?"
She nodded. "Matches are in the bag too. Sorry I forgot to mention them." She took the candles and bath bomb, opening the bomb and tossing it in. Then turned on her phone song mix of slow love songs of all genres. She spaced out the candles waiting for the matches.
"Right." Sam turned on his heels and headed back out to search out the tiny matches in the big bag. He'd never understand how women managed to fit so much stuff in such little space. Like they were all Mary Poppins or something. He pulled them out, holding them up in victory, and returned to the bathroom. "There is a nice vibe happening here."
"I really wanted us to enjoy ourselves right now. And this is how I love to unwind." She undressed and stepped into the tub.
Sam couldn't help but stand and stare for a moment. She was so goddamn beautiful and he was lucky enough to call her his. He finished undressing himself and followed her, situating himself behind her in the tub so he could wrap his arms around her.
Mercedes leaned up and let him go behind her. She laid back and sighed heavily in Sam's arms. "You feel amazing. The water is nice too."
"Much warmer than outside," Sam agreed with a soft laugh. He leaned down to press a kiss to her shoulder. "I love holding you."
"I wish you could hold me forever." She said honestly. "I don't know if I will ever not want to be in your arms."
Sam nuzzled against her neck. The smell of the bath bomb mixed with the ocean scent still on their skin. "They'll always be here for you to come back to, baby."
This was perfect. Everything the flight, the dinner, the beach. Sam I never knew any relationship could be perfect but this one is close to it."
"Well, we've certainly been through enough shit right off the bat. Excuse my language," Sam added as his finger ran along the top of her thigh. "We deserve a perfect weekend."
Mercedes turned her head towards him. "Not to ruin a perfectly good moment but like Jess is a piece of work!"
A bright laugh came from Sam's chest and he nodded in agreement. "Yes. Yes, she is. I think somewhere along the way, I grew up. And she never bothered to. It just took some big things to make me realize it."
"Its like that sometimes. You grow up and go different ways and you just gotta deal with it. She just doesn't wanna deal with the fact that you are not on the market."
"Mmm, well, that's her issue to deal with," Sam reminded her, still pressing his lips along her neck lovingly. "Because I am very done with her. And very in love with you."
Mercedes looked up to him. "And you are sure? This isn't something where you think you are? because I have fallen for you Sam Evans and I want it all."
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," Sam told her as he met her eyes. "I've never felt like this before."
Mercedes kissed him softly. "I have never felt this way before either. You make me feel like I can do anything. Like as long as you are by my side I am capable of everything."
"You're capable of everything with or without me. I have no doubt of that," Sam assured her. "But I'm also very glad I get to be by your side to watch you conquer."
She leaned against him, wrapping his arms around her. "You mean everything to me. Everything." She left out that it scared her but that was the truth.
He held her close, brushing his lips over her skin ever so softly. "I'm all yours, Cedes. As long as you'll have me."
"Don't say that Sam cause I will never let you go."
"Why would I want you to do something like that?" he asked, smiling against her shoulder.
"I see a future with you Sam, something I have not seen in a long time. I almost gave up."
Sam sighed softly, his head resting against hers. "I did give up," he admitted. "After everything that happened, I just kinda accepted that my life was meant to take care of the farm. Because it's not like amazing women just show up outta nowhere and make you fall for them, you know?"
"Thank God you took a chance on me, on love." She linked her fingers with his. "What do you want for your future Sam?"
"No matter how much I gave up... I never stopped wanting," he told her. "Never stopped wanting someone to share my life with, to build a family with. I see... happiness. Maybe not every minute of every day, but together we'll get through the not as happy times too. I see trust and honesty and all of the things I never got to have before."
Mercedes smiled. She loved hearing that, loved that he wanted a future with her as well as he could see one with her. "I see that too. I see kids too."
"Well, somebody's gotta take over the farm someday," he chuckled. "I would love to have a future with you, Cedes. But I also... think we should make sure we enjoy every moment of the present. I wanna savor every experience with you."
Mercedes closed her eyes nodding and now wanting him to see her in that moment. She was glad to be in the present with him, but the fear that he wasn't sure about the future was real. "Yeah savoring every moment sounds good."
Sam didn't miss the way her breathing changed and he wrapped his arms around her a little tighter. "Keep your eyes closed for me," he requested with a whisper. "Do you feel the water surrounding you?"
She swallowed with a nod, eyes still closed. "I feel the water."
He covered her hand with his own and interlocked their fingers. "You feel my hands? Holding yours tight?"
She nodded."I feel you hands."
"Good. And do you feel my heart? Beating hard in my chest? You can listen if you want."
Mercedes turned her head to listen to Sam's heart beating. "I feel it and hear it."
"Do you know why it's beating so fast?" Sam drew her up again so he she could hear him whisper into her ear. "Because for the first time in so long I'm... so happy, Cedes. And so excited about what the future holds for me. And for us."
Mercedes shivered as he whispered in her ear. She bit her bottom of her lip eyes still closed. "I don't want to force a future on you Sam. I am always 10 steps ahead instead of enjoying the here and now. I don't wanna do that anymore. I want to enjoy it all."
"But there's no reason we can't have both, Cedes," Sam pointed out. "Look at me." He tipped her head back with his fingers. "We can enjoy every moment together and still take time to imagine our future together. Personally, I think that's a great activity for those days when I wanna give up and walk off the farm."
Mercedes stared at him and smiled. "I never thought about living on an actual farm. I am a city girl through and through. But for you I could imagine it."
Sam shrugged slightly. "I'm not absolutely required to live on the farm in order to run it," he reasoned. "But we'll figure it out. We'll figure it all out together."
She nodded. "Together we can figure everything out. And besides it's not like you are gonna propose to me anytime soon. We will figure it all out." She laid back into him but looked up pulling his lips down to hers and kissed him deeply.
Sam turned his head so he could kiss her back, his hand coming up to brush her cheek. "I love you so much. And I promise we'll experience it all. But let's enjoy every moment of our first trip together, yeah?"
She nodded and closed her eyes again just enjoying the feel of him, and the stillness of the water and at night.
Sam laid there with her, just relaxing and holding her close, until the water started to cool. "We should get to bed. You need to get up early tomorrow."
"I know I'm just lazy right now..." she said with a deep sigh. "But it is getting cold." She said sitting up in the water. "If every night here ends up like this. I wont be mad at it."
"Well, you can be lazy in our nice, warm bed." His hands rubbed her back gently, coming up to squeeze her shoulders. "This was wonderful though."
Mercedes sighed standing in the tub and turning to help Sam. "This we have to do again before we leave." She grabbed a warm fluffy towel and handed it to Sam.
"Deal." Sam wrapped the towel around his waist and followed her back out into the room. "I have a very serious question for you. Will you break up with me if I eat cookies in bed?"
They walked to the room and she looked at him. A snort left her lips as she shook her head. "I mean that's tough." She teased. "No I wouldn't. That is not a deal breaker baby."
"Oh, thank goodness." Sam breathed a dramatic sigh of relief before he smiled at her. He dug through the snack bag and found his cookies before crawled into bed. "Want one?"
Mercedes laughed. "Nah I am good babe. I just have a few more things to do before I can go to bed."
"Mmkay," Sam hummed, popping one in his mouth. "Could you grab me a pair of boxers, please? If you could be so kind. I got distracted by cookies."
Mercedes laughed going through his bag and grabbing his boxers. "Here you go babe." She placed her nightgown on and then grabbed the lotion and began putting it on.
"Thank youuuuu. And, sorry, your boy likes to snack, baby." He popped cookies in his mouth, watching her quietly for awhile. "So what exactly are you doing at this conference thing anyway?"
"No worries babe." She grabbed her flat iron and sat in front of the mirror. "Oh I am talking about a case I worked a while back, it's the one that got me on the partner track. Then I answer questions for upcoming Lawyers and those interested in Law."
Sam's eyebrows raised as he chewed. "That's awesome, babe. Look at you, inspiring the next generation. You inspire 'em, I'll get 'em to eat healthy. While I eat all the cookies."
"Thanks, I love inspiring people its a huge thing for me." She snorted as she flat ironed her hair. "You gonna eat all those cookies? Should save some for your movie time!"
"And you're amazing at it," Sam told her as he stood up and dropped his towel so he could slip his boxers on. He brushed all the crumbs off himself and the bed. "Oh, I brought more snacks, believe me."
Mercedes laughed. "Well anything you want is on my company as well so you can have anything here just order it." She stepped out of the bathroom with her hair wrapped. "Well don't you look comfy?"
Sam smiled at the sight of her. "It's a comfy bed. But there is one thing missing that would make it perfect."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is that?"
He leaned over and turned her side of the blanket down. "My beautiful girlfriend all curled up beside me."
"Well that I can make happen!" She turned off the lights and climbed into the bed. She snuggled closer to him. "How is that?"
Sam opened his arms and let her move close before he wrapped them around her. "Perfect, just as I suspected," he chuckled. "Can I have a goodnight kiss?"
Mercedes smiled leaning into him, "Of course you can!" She kissed him softly. "How was that?"
"Pretty good," Sam told her. "It's my turn now." He took her chin between his fingers and drew her in, giving her a long, deep and lingering kiss. He punctuated it with a little kiss to the tip of her nose. "Night, baby."
"Mmmm you are such a great kisser." She said leaning closer to him. "Goodnight."
