I do not own Glee or its characters.

Tuesday September 8th

After seeing Zack off to school and getting myself into the office, I am seated at my desk looking over my schedule for the day, when I hear a chime from my phone.

Morning Sammy. Wanted to know if you would be free for lunch tomorrow.

I rapidly blink my eyes as I re-read the text. Is she really going to start this again? As if on cue, my conscious starts gnawing at me. I don't want to engage at all, but maybe if I respond to her with a polite no thank you, she will accept, and move on with her day. Grumbling, I shake my head. I know it's wishful thinking as soon as I start typing. She will just continue to send messages whether I respond or not. I'm just surprised that she didn't contact me at all for the entire weekend. When I think about that fact, I quickly nod my head and send the message.

Thanks for the invite but I am not available.

There. My message wasn't snide or hateful. It just told her that I am not free for lunch. I move to sit the phone back down and pat myself on the back, but another message arrives.

What day would work for you?

Great. I groan and try to think of another nice way to decline.

I'm not available.

Not the best response but oh well.

How about dinner then? I can be flexible you know that ;-)

What ever day or night that works for you.

Why did I even respond in the first place? I already know how this is going to play out. She is going to say that we need to discuss Zack. And that would work, if there was really something to discuss. I am not doing this with her. I need to get on with my day. Here goes nothing.

Actually, there aren't any days or nights that work for me. I am not interested in having lunch or dinner with you - EVER.

That's going to set her off, but there was no other way for me to say it and make her believe it. I just need her to understand that I am not interested.

You can't even have a meal with me?

Not even to discuss our son.

She knows that mentioning Zack is the only way to make me take notice. It's become her go-to reason for reaching out to me. And she knows it means that I will respond to her. It momentarily keeps my attention on her, and gets me to ask the one question I'm sure she knows I will.

What do we need to discuss?

A lot.

And there it is. I'm done dealing with her today.

I've got to get back to work. Have a good day.

I place my phone down on the desk and tune out the incessant chiming. I guess it was a mistake to respond to her in the first place. But then, my conscious decides to get involved again, and that gets me to wondering. Am I being an asshole about this? What's the harm in having lunch with her? If it will keep her off my back, then I should consider it, but lunch tomorrow is definitely not going to happen. Wednesdays are my days to have lunch with Mercy. I'll think about it some more. I am still hesitant to agree to it because I know she will read more into it. I think about Mercy and Spencer and how they are able to have a great relationship despite their divorce. I'm envious of them. I wish I could have a relationship with her like that, but in order for us to do that, she will have to get all thoughts of a reunion out of her head. How can I get her to understand that I don't want to be with her again? That's the key. I make a mental note to talk more with Mercy about it. Surely she can give me some pointers. My office phone beeps interrupting my current thoughts. I gaze over and see that it is Harriett. "Yes Harriett?"

"Mr. Evans, the other Mr. Evans is here to see you."

"Jon?"

"Yes, sir."

"OK, show him in please." I hang up the phone and stand to greet him. The door opens and Harriett ushers him into my office. "Jon, how are you doing?"

"Oh, you know, same old, same old." I walk around my desk to shake his hand, and nod at Harriett.

"How are Karen and the girls?" We each take a seat in one of the armchairs positioned in front of my desk.

"Doing fine. I'm so glad summer vacation is over. If I had to watch another Disney movie, my head was going to explode." We both chuckle at his statement. "How's Zachary?"

"He's doing really well. He experienced a small growth spurt this past summer, and he just started his freshman year at Wallingsford."

"Time sure does fly."

"Yes, it does." I chuckle and nod. "So, what's up?"

"NG Tollins."

I lean forward in my chair. "You finally got a meeting?"

"I did better than that. We have been invited to a soiree at Davison Tollins' ranch to discuss the possibility. If the price is right Sam, I swear I think he will accept our offer on the spot. He's itching to retire."

"That's great news Jon. So, when is this party?"

"Tonight, in Dallas. I know it is last minute, but his office finally called me back about fifteen minutes ago. I could go alone but I know he is expecting the both of us."

"I'll be there. I'll just have to make arrangements for Zack to stay with his mother."

"Good. It starts at seven, Dallas time. I'll call Arnold to get the jet ready to go. I've got several meetings tomorrow so I figure we can spend the night in Dallas and then be back here tomorrow morning."

"OK." I quickly try to remember any meetings early tomorrow morning. "I have a meeting with the principal at Wallingsford at nine tomorrow morning. I really don't want to reschedule it, but I will if necessary."

"What's that about?

"He's hoping for a donation to renovate the school's auditorium."

"Well you got to give him credit for being upfront about it."

"Oh, I do. I just hope he comes prepared."

He scoots up to the edge of the chair, readying himself to stand. "Alright then. I've got a meeting to get ready for now. I'll make sure we are back by eight and I'll have Sherry make our hotel reservations. With meetings today, I could be ready to go by four. Will you be ready by then?"

"Let me check." I stand to grab the printed copy of today's schedule from my desk, and then return to my seat as I look down at it. "I have a meeting at four, so that won't work. Let's make it six. With the time difference we should still make it there by five."

"Works for me." He finally stands and I do the same. "I'll let you get back to it. See you on the jet."

"See you then." We shake hands, and he leaves, as I walk back around my desk to sit. I pick up my cell phone to text Zack.

Call me when you get a minute

The phone rings almost immediately and I see that it is him. "Hey son, I hope you are between classes."

"I am. What's up?"

"I have to fly to Dallas tonight with Jon for a business meeting. Do you want to stay at the house with the staff or with your mother?"

"Can I stay with Cedes?"

"You want to stay with Mercedes?"

"Yes, if she will let me."

"OK, I'll check with her but if you can't stay with her, where do you want to stay?"

"At the house."

"OK, I'll text you once I've talked to Mercedes."

"OK. Love you, bye."

"Love you too."

I then send Mercy a quick text.

Hey baby, you busy

Hey you, no just reading email

I call her. "Hey, good morning."

"Good morning darlin'. How are you today?"

"I'm great. How are you?"

"I'm great as well. Ally get off to school OK this morning?"

"She did. Zack?"

"He did too."

"Good to hear."

"OK Baby, I won't keep you too long, but I just got word that I've got to fly to Dallas tonight for a last-minute business meeting."

"Oh, OK. When will you be back?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Oh, so just overnight. When are you leaving?"

"Six."

"OK. Do you need me to do anything for Zack while you are gone?"

"That's actually why I called. I talked to him a few moments ago and he would like to stay overnight with you. I told him I didn't know if that was possible but that I would ask."

"Oh, I would love to have him, but it may be too hurried in the morning trying to get both him and Ally to school on time."

"You wouldn't have to take him to school. My friend Tony can drop him at your place after school and then pick him up in the morning."

"Well then absolutely he can stay."

"You sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure."

"Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome."

"Talk later."

"OK."

Settled on the jet, Jonathan and I take the time to catch up with each other. I tell him all about Mercy and Ally. I make tentative plans for her and I to have dinner with him and his wife. I also share news of my ex's nonsense. He tells me that she also paid him a visit before I banned her from the building. "She came in and asked me a barrage of questions about you and if you were seeing anyone."

"What did you tell her?"

"The truth. That I didn't know because I didn't. After that, she said that she was on a mission to get you back, and that I should help her. She's a real nutcase Sam. To be honest, I don't know what you ever saw in her."

"It's like she has completely forgotten that I want nothing to do with her. I've told her so many times, in just the last few days, that she is only still in my life because she is Zack's mother. But she just doesn't get it. She's started off by dropping by two days in a row. Then she started sending deliveries. She sent seven in one day. Now she's texting. She texted this morning asking to meet for lunch. If I thought that it would be a simple friendly lunch, I would go, however, it's more than that to her. Mercy and her ex-husband have this amazing relationship. I just wish we could have something like that, but she is still holding onto the past."

"I've got to say it again man. I don't know what possessed you to marry her in the first place."

"Young, dumb, and in love with the wrong woman, but that ship has sailed."

"So, do you have any pictures of your new lady?"

"Of course I do." I unlock my phone, open the photos, and then hand it over to him.

"Wow! She's really beautiful man." He swipes through the pictures. "You lucky S-O-B you. How the hell did you get her?"

"Thanks, and I was just my usual charming self." He punches me in the arm, and I laugh. "Here's one of all four of us."

"Man, you all look so happy together. I'm happy for you Sam, and I can't wait to meet them."

After arriving in Dallas and getting checked into the hotel, I take a shower and then get dressed for the party. I glance over at the clock and see that it is nearly 7:30, so I decide to give them a call before leaving, in hopes that they haven't already gone to bed.

"Hey baby. How's it going?"

"Great, the kids are getting ready for bed now, and I just finished cleaning the kitchen. How's Dallas?"

"Lonely without you. Can I say good night to the kids?"

"Of course, I'll put you on speaker." It is quiet for a split second. "You there?"

"I'm here."

"Hi Dad."

"Hey Sam."

"Hey you two. I just wanted to say good night. I'm bummed that I didn't get to attend our first-ever sleepover, but next time you won't be able to keep me away. I hope you both have a good day at school tomorrow."

"Thanks Dad. Love you, good night"

"Thanks Sam. Hope you have a good day too. Night."

"OK, I'm here."

"I really am bummed that I couldn't be there with you guys. I'm also kind of jealous that Zack gets to sleep over at your house before I do."

"Aww, poor baby. Well, why don't we plan a sleep over? Like maybe instead of leaving after dinner on Thursday? Since you will be cooking for us, and I know you will make a mess in my kitchen, you two should just stay the night. That way you will have plenty of time to clean up." She chuckles.

"You mean that's the only reason you want me to stay the night? You sure know how to hurt a guy, beautiful."

"Oh, you're so dramatic. But babe, I can already see you, and my kitchen floor and counters, covered in flour." I hear the smile in her voice, and then the snicker.

"Nonsense!"

She giggles. "Please, you know I'm right."

"I so disagree with you, beautiful. Just you watch, not a drop of flour on me, your precious kitchen floor, or your precious kitchen counters."

"Oh really?" There is a slight edge in her words. "Care to make a bet, mister?"

"Oh, this conversation just keeps getting better and better. Place your bet baby." I smile as I wait for her answer.

"OK, let's see here." She thinks for a few moments. "OK, so, I won't be totally unreasonable about it, since flour is one of those things that just seems to get on everything. So, let's say, if it takes you more than thirty minutes to clean, you owe me a one-hour foot rub."

I am quick to accept. "Deal, and if I clean up in less than thirty minutes, I get to give you a one-hour full body massage." She walked right into my trap.

"You are such a pervert babe. You are supposed to get something out of the bet."

"I'm your pervert. And believe me I am getting the most out of this bet. You see, regardless of the outcome, I get to put my hands on you. It's really a win-win for me. Now, do we have a deal?"

"Deal." She laughs.

I cannot contain my excitement. "Oh baby, I am looking that much more forward to Thursday night now. And even before you start the argument, I'm sleeping in your bed."

"Sam." There is the hint of a whine in her voice, and I know she is rolling her eyes at this exact moment.

"Not up for discussion, Mercy. I'll behave, I promise."

"OK."

"Good. Well, I'll let you get to bed baby. I miss you so much. Sleep tight."

"I miss you too babe. Have a good time tonight. Night."

"Thanks, and I'll try. Night Mercy."