A rollercoaster of emotions in this chapter. Be prepared.

Wednesday September 16th

My alarm wakes me right at 7:20. As soon as I sit upright, my mind and heartbeat begins to race about everything that I hope the day will bring. If my day goes as planned, I will have Mercy back in my arms tonight. I smile at the thought as I stand and go into the bathroom to take a shower. Once I am showered and dressed, I go to my dresser and pick up my watch. My eye catches the envelope I found in the car last night. I fasten my watch in place and grab the envelope. I take it into the living room and slide it into my briefcase. I'll deal with that when I get to the office. I pick up my keys and walk out the door.

Arriving at my office about thirty minutes later, I call Harriett, greeting her with a 'good morning' and then asking her to get me some coffee. She knocks on my door a minute later. "Come in." She brings the coffee to me with a smile. "Thank you, Harriett."

"You're welcome sir.'

"I'll be leaving for my meeting with Rose & Potts at 2:30. If you don't have anything that needs your attention, you can leave for the day as well."

"Thank you Mr. Evans."

"Sure." She exits my office and I open my briefcase to remove the envelope. I open it and find a note inside.

I hope this helps. Forgive my son's antics in the foreground.

Included with the note is a flash drive. I take the drive, power up my laptop and insert it into an available port. The media player screen opens, and I see a small boy's face close to the camera. Then he leans back, and his eyes focus on something above the camera. As soon as the little boy waves and sits back further in his seat, my eyes take in the objects in the background of the video. That's when I see the familiar surroundings. It's the patio at Pandillo's. I immediately gasp. She's there. Whoever gave this to me captured it while sitting at one of the tables across from our favorite one. Could this be video from last week? My heartbeat races and my hands shake as my eyes widen. Right now, the camera is only capturing Mercy's half of our table and my eyes stay trained on her. I can tell that her eyes are focused on something currently out of the camera's range. I see her lips move and then the camera shakes slightly as whoever is holding it appears to be readjusting their grip. The video straightens mere seconds later, zooms out and that's when anger takes over my entire body. My lips tighten and my eyes fill with rage as the video abruptly stops. My eyes remain on the now black screen for several moments before my mind tells me to click the button to replay it.

Ninety minutes and numerous replays later, I am beyond livid. I'm putting a stop to her bullshit today. I pull out my phone and send her a text message.

Been thinking and you're right, we should be able to have a drink together. Can you meet me at the Hyatt at 6?

Her response is almost immediate.

Yes of course. I'll be there. Thank you Sam

I quickly respond.

See you then

At the end of my 10:00 call, I place a call to Max at Pandillo's.

"This is Max."

"Hi Max. It's Sam."

"Hey Sam."

"I was just calling to tell you that I have found out the mystery person that spoke with Mercedes last week."

"Oh yeah, how did you find out?"

"Someone there at the Bistro. I found a note and a flash drive in my car last night. When I looked at it today, it was of a little brown-haired boy holding a sign up telling his dad happy birthday. It captured Mercedes in the background and the person she was talking to."

"That would be Destiny and Braedon. They are here every Wednesday and Saturday."

"Please apologize to her that I cannot thank her in person, but if everything goes as plan, I will be able to next week."

"Sure thing Sam. And thanks for letting me know. This is the best news. I'll be sure to tell Naomi and I hope to see you both next week."

"Thanks Max."

Hours later, I am a ball of nervous energy as I drive to the Hyatt for our meeting. I enter the VIP parking lot and pull into the first available space. I glance over at the clock and see that I am fifteen minutes early. I take several deep, cleansing breaths and then exit my truck. I enter the lobby and use the guide on the main wall to locate the room reserved for our meeting. Seeing that it is just a few feet away, I take another deep breath and then approach the door. It's ajar, and I hear her humming to herself on the other side. I slowly push the door open further and then enter The Alexander Room to find her facing away from the door, busying herself with several folders that are placed around the small conference table. She is wearing a black knee-length pencil skirt with a dark green blouse and a pair of black heels. Her hair is pulled back in a low bun. I stand there and take her in for a few moments. I try to quietly close the door behind me but the 'click' of the door gets her attention.

When she turns around, surprise and fear immediately appear on her face. "What are you doing here Sam? You can't be here."

"You look beautiful." I move toward her.

She backs away with her shoulders pitched high and her hands up in surrender. "Sam, what are you doing here?"

Her action sends a pang to my heart. I clear my throat. "We have a meeting scheduled from three to seven today."

"What? Wait - you work for E&E?" Her earlier facial expression re-emerges but this time it includes a bit of disbelief.

I nod my head and grin weakly. "My family owns E&E. I'm the CEO." I move toward her again.

She drops her hands to her side and relaxes her shoulders as she backs away again. "Why didn't you tell me that before now?"

"My own insecurities." I nervously look up at the ceiling and then back at her. While I didn't expect her to throw herself into my arms, I definitely didn't expect her to keep backing away from me.

"What does that even mean?" She throws her hands up and I see her lips tighten. "That's the second time you have mentioned your insecurities. What are you insecure about?"

"In each of the relationships I've been in, I was always trying to make sure whoever I was with, really wanted to be with me. I constantly worried that they would find someone they liked better. When I took over my family's company, my worry shifted from not being good enough, to being taken advantage of because of the money. I've never felt like I was worthy. Since taking over as CEO, when women found out what I have, they no longer wanted to get to know what's in here." I tap my right hand lightly against my heart. "What's in my wallet becomes more important. Therefore, I've been hiding that aspect of my life from you because I needed to be sure."

She folds her arms across her chest, but her face softens. "You didn't have to hide anything from me Sam."

"I know that now, but when I met you, if I had told you that I was a billionaire, would you have been so open and forthcoming with me about you? Would I have gotten to know the real you? Would you have even taken the time to get to know me? Would you have treated me the same? Or would you have shied away from me completely because of who I am?" I take another step closer to her.

She stares at me for a few moments, but she doesn't back away. "I don't know."

"Mercy, please give me a chance to come clean with you about everything now." I move a little closer to her.

"OK, I'm listening." She leans her head to one side.

I take a deep breath before starting. "OK, when I first noticed you standing in line with Ally for registration, I was immediately attracted to you. You took my breath away. My eyes stayed on you from that point on. When you turned in your emergency contact card, I scanned it to find out what hotel and room you were staying in so that I could change my accommodations from the Hyatt to the Marriott. To the room right next door. I upgraded the people that were staying in that room to a suite so that I could be near you. I know it's over the top but I'm a man who can, and will move heaven and earth to get what I want. I quickly leased the apartment I told you was my home so that I could be near you. Zack and I have not stayed at our house since before going to Florida. Baby, I know our initial meeting was not so innocent because I orchestrated most of it, but I don't regret anything I did to get next to you. Keeping up the pretense was the only thing I could think to do just to continue to be close to you. But that's it. Everything else between us has been genuine. So billionaire Sam is the same man that you've spent the last three months getting to know. He just has a hell of a lot more money. He still is as crazy about you as he has been since he met you. I apologize for keeping this from you, but it was only done to protect my heart more than anything else. I've been burned too many times. So now knowing everything, does it change your feelings for me?"

"Of course not!" She fiercely shakes her head and I take that as my green light. I quickly move to her, but she jumps back and holds her hands up to stop me. "I can understand why you did it, but it doesn't change the fact that I cannot be with you. At least not right now."

I angrily exhale and rest my hands at my sides. "Why?" I study her solemn face and clench my teeth together. "Is it because of something Marley said to you?"

Her jaw drops and she lowers her hands. "How did you know that?"

"A good Samaritan at Pandillo's."

Her eyes narrow at me. "What?"

"Beautiful, listen, I've been trying to figure out what happened since it happened. While I was waiting for you at Pandillo's, Max was there. I asked him about their video cameras. He told me the one on the patio is out but let me look at what they had recorded by the bar and the front entrance. That didn't amount to anything but apparently, someone else got wind of what I was trying to discover and left a flash drive in my car. I just came across it last night and looked at it this morning. I'm kicking myself for not noticing it before last night. Had I, I would have saw that Marley was there with you. I can only assume that what she said to you is the reason you fled. So, Mercy, baby please tell me what happened."

She shakes her head as she wrings her hands together. "Sam, it doesn't matter what she said. You may be better off forgetting about me and moving on with your life." She turns away from me.

I walk up behind her and place my hands on her shoulders. "Honey, you are in my heart now and you aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Both you and Ally are very important to me. Mercy, I cannot sleep. I cannot eat. I miss you. I want you back, no I need you back. Please tell me wha-"

She interrupts me. "You know, I've always wondered why you never told me much about her. Is it because you want to be with her again? I mean, I would understand, if that is what you want."

She tries to wiggle her shoulders out of my hold, but I turn her around to face me instead. I lightly grip her shoulders and lock on her eyes. "Please baby. Just listen to me. Marley has been out of my life for six years. Once our divorce was final, we did not keep in contact. That all changed two weeks ago. That was the first time I laid eyes on her, since we divorced. She came to my office. I didn't question how she knew where I worked, I just asked her what she wanted. That's when she started her crazy talk about wanting to get back together for Zack's sake. I laughed her off and told her that I was not interested. But she didn't stop there. She began calling and texting all the time until I finally told her if she did it again, I would go to my attorney. I haven't heard from her since that day. But today, once I viewed what was on the flash drive, I texted her and asked her to meet me here for a drink."

Another look of surprise coupled with hatred spreads across her face. "She's here?"

I shake my head. "No, not yet. I told her to meet me in the lounge at six. I want to address this and get it behind us once and for all. She is my past and she is going to stay there. I know I never really told you about my history with her. You've told me all about yours with Spencer. I should have shared our history with you then, but I didn't, but I will, right now if you let me."

"You don't have to do that Sam, not if you don't want to, your history with her doesn't matter to me."

"I understand that, but I'd like you to know." She nods. I lead her to the nearest chair. As she sits, I move one for me directly in front of her and take a seat. I grab both of her hands. "OK. I met her at the beginning of my junior year at Purdue. I was a junior and she was an incoming freshman. She started the same year as one of my cousins. I first saw her when I was helping my cousin, Kristy, move into her dorm room. She was staying on the same floor, a few doors down. As fate would have it, Marley and I ended up in the same music appreciation class. I sat in the row behind her. She would smile up at me when she took her seat. She did that every time. One day I dropped my pen and it landed right at her feet. She passed it back to me and that's the day I finally learned her name. For the next few weeks, we would speak in passing. I could tell she had a crush on me, and I thought she was cute, but I was worried about the age difference. I've never been the hookup type so long-term plans are always in my head when I ask someone out. I hadn't dated anyone seriously since I had graduated high school, so it took me almost three months to even ask her out. Don't get me wrong, I was physically attracted to her, but there never was a spark. There were no problems, we never argued, everything was just nice. And that's how it was the entire two years we dated in college. Then with my graduation nearing, I thought it would be best for the two of us to go our separate ways. We didn't have anything in common and like I said there wasn't a spark. Our sexual chemistry is what kept us together as long as it did. A few days before graduation, I sat down with her and talked about it and she agreed. So, we parted as friends. Now flash forward, two years later, I am back at Purdue for Kristy's graduation, and who do I run into while leaving the men's room? Marley. She was breath-taking. She looked completely different from the last time I had seen her. She was dressing sexier, her hair was longer and she seemed more sure of herself. Because physical attraction was never an issue with us, we talked for a bit that night and I invited her to meet up the next day for coffee. We quickly fell back into a relationship after that coffee date and she moved to Indianapolis to live with me soon thereafter. Then as the days passed, I begin to notice that everything was always the same. The same look, the same hairstyle, she even wore the same type of clothes. Always mini-skirts and always with low-cut sleeveless shirts that showed off her cleavage. It was like someone told her to dress that way to keep a man. So five months in, my physical attraction to her was completely gone. I finally came to see that everything I thought had changed in her was all an act. By that time, I had also learned that she had dropped out of Purdue during her junior year. See, I had assumed she had graduated with Kristy but no. She was at the ceremony as a guest of another graduate. When I received a job offer here in Atlanta, I knew it was time to call it quits with her. The day I ended things with her was the day that we conceived Zack. Yes, I know, I shouldn't have, but I did, and then packed up and moved here. Two and a half months later, I get an email from her telling me that she was pregnant. I was floored. It took me a few days to get back with her and I told her that I would support her with whatever her decision was. She wanted to keep it. Now, my southern roots told me that I had to marry her. I broke the news to my parents, who were furious and so disappointed, but they rallied behind me and gave me their support. I reached out to her and told her that she should move to Atlanta so that we could raise our child together. She was here by the weekend and two weeks later we were at the courthouse getting married."

"Wow, Sam. Just. Wow." I feel her thumbs gently rubbing against my fingers.

I nod my head and continue. "Zack came along six months later. When he arrived, I felt like my decision to marry her was the best decision I had ever made. She was a great mother. In all the time that we had been together, and even on the day we got married, I was never in love with her, but seeing how nurturing, caring and loving she was with our child, I began to fall in love with her. I started doing more to show her how much she meant to me. We were happy. We were growing as a couple and having more fun together. Once Zack turned five, we both wanted to extend our family, so we began trying. Around this time, I had to go to New York on business. I hated being away from both of them. So I ended up catching the red-eye to get home to them quicker, and when I got home I found her screwing another man in our bed. I was crushed. I checked into a hotel and that's where I stayed for week. She never reached out to me once. Next thing I know, I am being served with divorce papers. She didn't even want to try counseling, she just wanted a divorce. It was finalized about three months later. A year or so after the divorce, she finally apologized, and I forgave her, but I never looked back. The only time we communicated after her apology was when we were handing Zack off to each other. We would say hi and bye and that's it. When he turned ten, I started dropping him off and waiting for him to go into her house. It's the same when I pick him up, I just wait for him to come out. And that's how it has been for the last four years."

She studies my eyes for a moment. "So, why do you think she popped back into your life after all this time?"

"I suspect that she somehow found out about my appointment as CEO of E&E." She gives me a confused look. "Beautiful, I didn't become CEO until two years ago. Tomorrow will make it two years exactly. Before that, I worked as a graphics designer. I made a comfortable living, but it doesn't compare to what I have now."

She gently slides one hand out of mine to rest her elbow on the table. She appears to be mulling something over in her mind as I watch her rub her thumb against her fingertips. Her eyes focus on something in the distance for a bit and then she looks at me. "To me, that means she is looking to get back with you because of the money."

"That's the only reason I can come up with too. Like I said, once I caught her with that guy, it took her a year to even apologize to me. When she showed up at my office last week, she kept going on about how she needed me to forgive her. When I told her I had, she automatically thought that meant we were getting back together, but I made it clear to her then that we were not. She was back again the next day saying the same thing and I told her it wasn't going to happen. That day, I also told her in a roundabout way that I was seeing someone."

"Someone? You didn't tell her my name?"

"No, it isn't her business."

She leans forward and takes my hand. "OK, hear me out Sam. It is her business who is around her son. She has a right to know, just like you have a right to know who she has around him. I mean, how would you feel if you found out she was seeing someone who turned out to be a dangerous criminal or a pedophile?" She raises and eyebrow at me, then quickly shakes her head. "I know I'm getting off topic, but I'm just saying. Anyway, it really doesn't matter that you didn't tell her my name because she found it out on her own. She even knows that you call me Mercy."

"She found that out from Zack. That's the only way she would know."

"You're probably right. Thank you for telling me about your history with Marley. And thank you for finally telling me the truth about who you are. I'll admit I was upset about that when I first learned of it, but I understand why you did it, and I even forgive you for taking so long to tell me the truth." She smiles over at me, but it is a smile that I am not happy to see. She slides her hands out of mine, stands and walks a few steps away from me, and then faces me with sad eyes. "But none of what you have told me changes the reason that we cannot be together."

I dart out of the chair and reach her in one stride. I grab her hands. "But why Mercy? Please just tell me what she said. Please talk to me. If you are going to remove yourself from my life, can't I at least know the reason? Can't I defend myself to you for anything she had to say? Please don't take what she said at face value without giving me a chance to explain it."

She ponders my words and then nods her head. "OK. She approached me after we got off the phone and told me that I needed to stop all communication with you, or she would make my life uncomfortable. I thought she was crazy but then she pulled out a file of information on me and my family. I mean she knows where I live Sam. She said she would have me fired and blacklisted. She said she would harm my brother, Spencer and Alistair, plus she mentioned my mom and dad and their businesses. She didn't say she would do anything to Ally but that is immediately where my mind went, and she has been sending me all these text messages filled with innuendo." She pauses to catch her breath. She slides her hands from mine and then wipes her face of the tears that have rolled unchecked down her cheeks. "I was scared. I didn't know what to do, so I did what I had to do to keep my family safe. I've since found some things out, but I still don't know for sure if she is capable of doing what she said she would do if I didn't stop seeing you."

"Sssh. Come here baby. It's ok. Don't cry." I wrap my arms around her as she buries her head against my chest and sobs. "I can take care of her. She cannot, and will not keep us apart." She pulls away and shakes her head. "What's wrong baby?"

I wait until her sniffles are done. "I still don't think we can work. We're too different."

I wince at her words. "You don't mean that Mercy. You told me that the money didn't matter. Aside from that, I'm the same man. I'm the same man that you planned a weekend trip with for our kids. I'm the same man that you said you were working on a long-term relationship with. I'm the same man that will take any opportunity to put my hands on you. I'm still me. What is so different about us now?" She lowers her eyes to the floor. "Or is this 'difference' because of something that she said to you?"

"It doesn't matter." She shakes her head.

"Yes, it does. I want to know. What else did she say? Tell me everything she said to you." She lowers her head and continues to shake her head. "Come on Mercy. Tell me. Please."

She exhales deeply and looks up at me. "OK, but before I do, I already know that I am hung up on what she said because it hits a nerve with me." She pauses for a moment and then continues. "She said something about you not being serious about me because you didn't tell me who you are, and because I have never seen your real house."

"And I've explained why I withheld those details from you."

"Right, I understand that now. But she also said that I was just a fetish to you. That I don't fit into your world and that I belong in the kitchen with the help." Her eyes lower to the floor again.

"Mercy, look at me." I grab her hands and wait until her eyes return to mine. "Listen to me. I started falling for you the moment you passed that pen to me at registration. I'll be the first to admit that I am mesmerized by your beautiful ass, I'm itching to touch it as we speak, but it is so much more than that. I'm lost without you. You balance me out. You are not a fetish to me. You are my dream Mercy. Please don't walk away from me because of what she said. Her words were not coming from a genuine place. She was saying whatever she needed to in order to hurt you and make you have doubts about my feelings for you. I don't want her, I want you and only you. I am crazy about you. Zack adores you and is very upset with me right now because he hasn't seen you or Ally in over a week. He just knows that I did something to screw this up and he is right, so I have to fix this for all of us, but especially for him. The file that she has on you and your family, I will take care of it. No harm will come to any of you. As far as her having you fired and blacklisted, that's not going to happen because you just landed the biggest client that firm has ever seen and if they do try to terminate your employment, there are plenty of other firms in this city that would be happy to have my account with you as the sole manager, or you can head up our internal team. Now as far as me not being serious about you, I think I explained that when I talked about my insecurities. You are it for me. When I scheduled this meeting with your office two weeks ago my plan was to tell you all about my business as well as why I hadn't told you before now. Then at the end of the meeting, I was going to ask if we could go get Ally so that I could take you both back to the mansion to meet up with Zack. Which I would still like to do if you are up for it?" I release her hands and use my thumbs to gently wipe her tears.

"Sam, I'm so sorry. I know you are right. I was just so afraid. When she showed up and started listing all of the information she had collected on me and my family, I panicked." I wrap my arms around her again as she rests her head back on my chest. "I think my imagination went into overdrive. I was afraid to call or send you a text because I feared that she would know. But then I started looking at everything that is listed on all of my social media sites. All the information she has, she could have easily collected from those. The only thing I wasn't sure about was how she knew where we lived and how she seemed to know so much about Ally and her routine."

"Did you figure that part out?"

She looks up at me. "I did, with the help of my boss. See, she led me to believe that she was 'daddy's little girl' who could snap her fingers and have him fire me if I didn't stop seeing you."

"Rose is not her father. He's her stepfather and from what I remember they aren't close. Her biological father died when she was six. Her mother wouldn't agree to marry him unless he adopted Marley." I take her hand and lead her back to her chair.

"Right, but I didn't know that. I had a meeting with he and Mr. Potts yesterday. We were making small talk and when I told them about Ally attending Donaldson, Mr. Rose told me she had just started a job in the cafeteria there."

"You know, I had been wondering what she was doing to make a living, because there is no way she could live off of the alimony payments alone."

She screws her face up in confusion. "Why are you paying her alimony when she cheated on you?"

"I felt obligated to provide for her." She smiles as she shakes her head. "I know, my buddies think I'm crazy for that, it just goes back to how I was raised. But the monthly support she currently gets is nowhere near what she would have gotten if I had been appointed CEO before we divorced." She chuckles and shakes her head. "What?"

"Just all of this. Like I said, at the start, I was in panic mode with a very overactive imagination. I mean she told me that she was spying on my phone and I believed her without question."

I chuckle. "I don't think her spy capabilities are that sophisticated. And even though I've been a complete mess, I understand why you reacted the way you did. I'm just sorry that she threatened you and your family in the first place." I take her hand and bring it up to my lips.

She smiles and then squeezes my hand. "I've missed you so much. I was scared to open the door to talk to you too because I thought maybe she or someone was watching the house. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my family because of me. But how did she know that I didn't know who you were?"

I bring my other hand to hers and cradle her hand between mine. "I don't know for certain, but I again suspect that she has been manipulating Zack to get information and he inadvertently gave it to her. Look, we will handle her together at six. I promise. I just need you back with me Mercy. I cannot function without you."

She slides her hand from my hold, stands and moves closer to me. When our knees touch, she hikes up her skirt, straddles my lap and places her hands on my shoulder. I keep my hands at her waist. "This past week has been hell for me without you too baby. I was trying to figure out a way to get in contact with you, and then your text yesterday helped me come up with one. So, I wrote you a letter." She giggles. "I would have brought it with me if I had known that you were who I was meeting. I mailed it this morning, so you should receive it within the next couple of days. When you get it, I want you to read it carefully, because every single word in it came straight from my heart."

I grin at her as my hands itch to move lower. "May I kiss you now?"

She nods her head. "Yes, right now, and make it a good one." She gives me that smile that I've been missing, and I just melt into her. I wrap my arms tightly around her waist and her hands have found their way to my favorite place: my hair. We make out fiercely for several minutes until her phone starts ringing. "Shit. I've got to get that. Don't move."

"Not a chance." She climbs off of me and I adjust my cock as my eyes stayed glued to her ass.

"It's Ally." She places a finger in front of her lips and answers it, putting it on speakerphone. "Hey sweetie. How was school?"

"It was fine. Where are you?"

"Remember, I told you I have a meeting from three to seven today."

"Oh, that's right. Sorry mom. I'll let you go."

"No, just wait, we're on a break." She winks at me. "I need to tell you something."

"OK.

"I will be starting a new job soon."

"Please don't tell me that it's in Kentucky."

"What's wrong with Kentucky?"

"It's not Atlanta. Mom, please. I don't want to move to Kentucky."

"Who said anything about moving to Kentucky?"

"You did."

"I did not. I said I will be starting a new job soon. You're the one who mentioned Kentucky."

"Oh, sorry. I guess I did. What's the new job?"

"It's for the biggest client in this city, probably in the whole country."

"Wow. Who is it?"

"Let me show you." I watch as she clicks a button on her phone. She smiles down at the screen and then turns the phone in my direction. I see my reflection and wave.

Ally screams. Like the highest pitched scream I've ever heard. "Sam!?"

I chuckle. "Hi sweetheart."

"What is happening?"

"I'll explain it to you later, but Sam and I have talked things over."

"Does Zack know?"

I stand up and walk over next to Mercy. "No, and please don't tell him. I want to surprise him. He hates me right now. This will definitely get me back on his good side."

"OK, I won't say anything." She smiles. "You guys. This makes me so happy." She swipes at a tear that rolls down her cheek and I blow her a kiss.

"Me too sweetie. We will be there a little later, but again, please don't tell Zack."

"OK mom, I promise, I won't. See you guys later."

Mercy ends the call and then places her phone on the conference table. I quickly glance down and see that it is a quarter to five. She turns and backs me up to the chair and re-straddles my lap. "I think we were here."

I place my hands back on her ass and squeeze. "No, we were here." I nuzzle my mouth against her neck and suck at her skin as her hands find their way back into my hair. She moans and it causes me to grind up against her. She counters my movement and my head starts to swim. I instinctively stand up, walk over to the table and sit her on the edge. "Mercy, you know I don't want our first time to be on this table, but I cannot take it anymore. I need to be inside you baby. I promise I will make it up to you. I promise, just please say yes."

"Condom?"

"Fuck." Fuck my luck. "No, but I can go get some."

"The mood will be gone, besides your ex-wifey will be here soon."

"I can get you back in the mood baby."

"No." She shakes her head. "No, we should talk about what we are going to say to her."

I feign a few sobs and pout. "Fine." I kiss the tip of her nose. "But I'm buying condoms tonight."

She noisily kisses my pout away as she slides off the table. "OK." She winks and then takes a seat. I sit next to her as we begin to plan our confrontation with Marley.

We agreed on what needed to be said to Marley while dining on our favorite entrées from Pandillo's. I had completely forgotten that I had ordered dinner for us. Once we finished our meal, I took her things to my truck while she made a quick phone call to her bosses to give them the good news. Just as she is ending her call, I get a text from Marley.

Im here at the lounge. See you when you get here

"She's here." I stand and walk over to the door.

She follows close behind and stops me from opening it. "Stick with the plan Sam."

"I'll try but I cannot be held accountable for my actions if she says something cross about you." She narrows her eyes at me. "OK, I'll stick with the plan." She leans up, quickly kisses my lips, and then releases the door. As I exit, she swats my ass. I glance back and smile.

I enter the lounge and see her seated at the bar. "Marley." I greet her as I walk past her to take the stool to her left. This will result in her back facing the door, so she will not notice when Mercy enters.

"Hi Sam. Thanks for finally agreeing to meet me for a drink." I make eye contact with her and immediately see that she is wearing entirely too much make up.

"Sure." The bartender appears and I order a scotch. I turn to her. "Do you want another?"

"Vodka tonic. And yes. Thank you." I nod at the bartender who scurries away to make our drinks. She giggles. "It will actually be my third one. I've been here since 5:30." I turn my head in her direction again to get the niceties out of the way, but she interrupts me. "Can I ask what changed your mind?" She smiles and I nod at her.

"Zack."

"How? I mean what did he do that changed your mind?" She lowers her head and I take a chance to look at the door just as Mercy enters.

I quickly glance back at the bar counter, tap my fingers lightly against the wood and clear my throat. "I know he needs a family. The one I was working on creating for him didn't pan out."

"Really, what happened?" I look up at her to see the hint of a smile on her lips as she lowers her head again. "If you don't mind me asking."

I rest my forearms on the bar as our drinks are delivered. "It's no secret. It didn't work out with the woman I was seeing. She just stopped talking to me and taking my calls. She won't even open the door when I go to her house." I take a couple of sips from my glass.

She leans forward against the counter and tries her best to look concerned. "Well that's strange. Do you think she was seeing someone else?"

I eye her and then shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, maybe." I notice as Mercy takes a seat two stools down from Marley. Mercy keeps her head down. I take another sip from my glass.

"You're talking about this Mercedes woman, right?"

I raise an eyebrow in her direction. "How did you know her name?"

"Zack mentioned her to me once. He seemed upset that you were spending so much time with her. Isn't that why he is staying with me?" She takes several small sips from her glass.

I bite my tongue before answering. "No, I didn't know he felt that way. He didn't tell me that. He told me he was going to stay with you for a while to give me a break."

"Oh Sam. I think that was his way of not hurting your feelings." She chuckles.

I quickly count to ten. "I guess."

"Look I have to be honest with you about something. How well do you know this woman?" She swivels her stool toward me.

"I thought pretty well. Why?" Oh, this is going to be good.

"Well, as a responsible parent, when Zack told me her name, I looked into her. From what I found, it looks like she may still be involved with her ex-husband, possibly in some type of relationship with him and his new husband. Did you know she was married before?"

I lightly cough to cover the laugh that was trying to escape. "Yes, I knew that."

"Oh, OK. Maybe I'm wrong about that then. But she does work for my stepfather, Len. Did you know that?"

OK, I'll bite this time. I clear my throat. "No."

"She does, and has for a few years. You know he and I don't communicate much but mom told me that he thinks that she has some type of substance abuse problem. Shows up to meetings under the influence of something."

"Really?" I'm speechless. There is something seriously wrong with her.

Her eyes brighten. "Yes. She also seems to be a bit on the loose side. Mom says that she has been caught more than once having sex with different maintenance men. The last time that happened was just last week, Thursday I think."

I've bitten my tongue so hard that I'm sure there is blood, but I will continue to play her game. "Why hasn't he fired her?"

"Probably because he can't. You know, that affirmative action crap."

"Wow." And to top it off, she's racist?

She downs the rest of her drink. "Yeah, so you probably dodged a bullet on that one. Besides, I never took you for someone who would be interested in a black woman, let alone someone like her."

"What do you mean someone like her?" Is this what I have been waiting for?

"You know, heavier."

And there it is. Internally, I smile. "Wait a minute. Do you know her?"

"No." She seems to suddenly realize her mistake as her eyes begin to dull and a small frown develops at her lips.

"So, when did you see her? How do you know what she looks like?" I wink at Mercy. She stands and walks over to join us.

"Um….Um…"

"Could it have been when you threatened her and her family last week at Pandillo's?"

"How did you-?" Marley's words are cut short when she sees Mercy.

"Hi beautiful." I wrap an arm around her waist as she reaches me.

"Hey baby." Mercy kisses me softly on the lips and then turns to face her.

An enraged look takes over Marley's face. "You tricked me."

"No Marley, you tricked yourself. Now, let me properly introduce you two. Marley Rose this is Mercedes Jones, the woman who has my heart, mind, body and soul. Mercy, baby, this is my EX-wife Marley Rose."

Mercy gives her a dry greeting. "Marley." Marley swivels back toward the bar and trains her eyes on her now empty glass.

"So here is what is going to happen. You are going to cease all threats, innuendos and text messages to Mercy starting right now. To be clear again, I DO NOT WANT YOU. We are not going to be together EVER again. Whatever your little plan was here did not work, and it will not work." Marley's eyes stay on her glass. "If you do not abide by what I am telling you, spousal support will be over. From what I have learned, you need it, and it is at my discretion if you remember correctly. Oh, and just to make sure you know we are serious, we are filing a formal complaint with the sheriff's office tomorrow. Now, do we understand each other?" She responds with a curt, angry nod.

"Good. Now, me and my baby have an appointment. Take care."

I grab Mercy's hand and move to leave but she tugs my arm, then leans over to get in Marley's face. "You basic, pitiful, desperate bitch. If you ever come for me and mine again, I will bust your simple, pathetic, sorry ass. Just try me. Oh, and stepdaddy said he hopes that you keep your job in the cafeteria. Seems he is as tired of hearing about your can't-keep-a-job ass as the rest of us." She leans back and turns to follow me out of the lounge but stops again and smiles. "Oh, and Marley. Thank you."

Confusion spreads across Marley's face. "What for?"

"For not taking Zack to band camp. I never would have met Sam if you had been there. So, I have to thank you for allowing this man to walk into my life and sweep me off my feet." She squeezes my hand as she studies Marley's face for a few seconds, then points an index finger at her. "And that look on your face right there is all the revenge I need. Me just knowing that you are going to hate yourself for the decision you made to do what you did instead of being there for your son. Was it really worth it?" Mercy shakes her head, squeezes my hand and we leave Marley sitting there at the bar on the verge of tears.

Settled in my truck, we make our way to Mercy's house. "Baby, that was so fucking hot!"

"You're silly."

"I'm serious. My lady got all gangsta. It gave me a semi."

"Really?"

"Yep." I pull her hand over and place it on my crotch. "See?"

"You're just horny."

"That I am, but my erection died when I laid eyes on Marley. Then you got in her face and this is where I am now."

"Well you need to calm him down because we will be at my house to get Ally soon. She doesn't want to see all that." She giggles.

"Speaking of Ally, did you know that she and I met up on Monday to talk."

"No, I didn't. What did you talk about?"

"She was filling me in on how you were doing. We had a beautiful talk. We both even shed some tears."

"Babe, I'm sorry. I never meant to make you cry."

"I know baby. But the tears that day were not just because of what was going on with us. She told me that she considers me her stepdad."

"Aw, Sam. Now you are going to make me cry."

"I adore her Mercy and aside from worrying about you, I was worried about her and needed to assure her that I wasn't giving up."

"I'm sorry Sam."

"Sssh. No more of that, we've talked about it. We're good, but if anything like this ever happens again, don't shut me out Mercy. Always come to me beautiful. Please."

"I will."

"Promise me."

"I promise. I adore Zack too you know."

"I know. I can't wait until he sees you tonight."

"I can't wait to see him."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. After we get Ally, we are going to the mansion. That's where Zack is."

"OK."

"Where are we sleeping tonight?"

"Come again?"

"Oh you will, and again and again. But seriously, I just got you back. There is no way I am spending the night away from you or Ally. So where? Your place or mine?"

"Can Tony take Ally to school in the morning?"

"Sure."

"Then I guess yours. We will stay at mine tomorrow because you and Ally still owe me and Zack a chicken and dumpling dinner."

"You're right we do. Our bet still in place?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"So, what are we going to tell the kids? I mean, I'm sure they will have questions and want to know what happened."

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"As much as I don't like the idea of keeping things from them, telling this to Zack may do harm to his relationship with his mother. I don't want that." Her words surprise me but then don't. This is just how she is.

"I know. I don't either."

"How about we just tell them that I misunderstood something I was told."

"Zack will want to know what you were told to see how you misunderstood it."

"OK. Maybe we tell them what happened and just omit that it was Marley. Just tell them that it was an old girlfriend. It can be one that you dated after you became CEO."

"Do you think that will work?"

"I think it is our best option. Doing it this way will keep lying to them to a minimum."

"OK, that's what we'll do."

I pull up to the curb in front of her house. We exit the truck just as the front door swings open. Ally darts out with a hand over her mouth. She kisses her mom on the cheek and then flings her arms around me. I lift her off the ground and swing her around a few times until she giggles. Once I place her feet back on the ground, she grabs my hand, then her mom's and we walk into the house.

"We are staying at Sam's tonight, so I need you to pack up your stuff."

"OK." She takes off up the stairs.

"Should we tell her that we are going to the mansion and not the apartment?"

"I'll tell her before we leave."

"OK, I'm going to go pack a bag. Be right back." She hurries up the stairs as I text my parents to share my good news. Mom, of course, wants the full story and I tell her that I will fill her in later.

Finished with messages to my mom, I look over at the small table next to the door and see the envelope she sent to me last week. I turn as I hear and then see her walking back down the steps. I hold the envelope up and wave it at her. "Did you think this was going to work?"

She shrugs her shoulders. "Honestly, no, but I had to try."

I open the envelope, take out the key and hand it to her. "Here, put it back on your key ring."

"You're going to keep the apartment?"

"For now, yes. Besides, it still needs to be christened."

She nods and grins. "Then we've definitely got a lot of christening to do."

"Which reminds me, I need to make a stop at O'Hare's before we go to the mansion."

She leans over to give me a quick peck, but I pull her fully into my arms and hungrily kiss her. She moans and it makes me wish I had stopped at O'Hares on the way here. I start to back her up against the wall but am interrupted by Ally coming back down the steps. I draw away from her and turn my head to see Ally grinning at us.

"So, is this what I have to look forward to for the rest of the night?" She has two bags slung over her shoulder.

"Aw come on sweetie, give me a break. I have some time to make up for." She laughs as I remove the bags from her shoulder and place them near the door. I take Mercy's hand and gesture for her to follow us. "Come sit down for a minute. There is something I need to share with you before we leave."

"OK." She sits on the couch and I take a seat right next to her. Mercy sits on the arm of the couch right next to me.

I shift my body so that I am facing Ally. "There is something about me that you don't know. I just shared it with your mother earlier and I want to share it with you as well." She nods and I continue. "I kept a certain part of myself from you guys." I look at her and see that I have her undivided attention. "I'm actually quite wealthy."

"You're joking right?" She chuckles a bit but then stops when she notices that neither of us are laughing with her. Her smile fades and her eyes scan mine. "Right?"

"No, sweetie, I'm not. My family owns E&E distillery. I took over as the head of that company two years ago."

"O-K." She says it slowly as her head turns away from me. When she faces me again, her face is full of concern. "Why did you keep that from us?"

I exhale. "I wanted to be sure that I wasn't going to be taken advantage of."

"So, you thought my mom was a gold-digger." She crosses her arms.

"In a way, yes." Her eyebrows raise causing me to hesitate. "But I treat every woman I meet as if she is because of my past experiences."

She cocks her head to the side and thinks for a moment. "But you realize she is not now?"

I smile as it seems her concern is fading. "I realized she wasn't a long time ago. I was just scared to come clean because I was afraid that she would be upset with me for not telling her in the beginning."

Her head bobs lightly from side to side before she speaks. "I guess I get it, I just wish that you would have told us the truth in the beginning."

I smile weakly as I try to cover the sting from her statement. Not because it wasn't true, but because she realizes, no matter how I tried to sugarcoat it, that I lied to them. "I know, and I cannot change the past but what I can do is vow to be completely honest from this point on. Please tell me that you forgive me Ally."

"Of course I forgive you Sam." She gives me her best smile.

I return it and breathe a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Now, I am going to take you and your mom to my house for the night." I stand, offer her one hand and Mercy the other as I pull them both up from their seated positions.

Ally looks up at me. "You have a house?"

I nod. "It's more like an estate. There is an indoor and an outdoor pool and basketball and tennis courts. In the basement, we have a movie theater and a gym."

Her eyes brighten. "No way." She releases my hand and darts to the door, leaving me and Mercy standing there. A couple of seconds later, she pokes her head around the corner with a big smile. "Well, why are you just standing there, let's go!" That produces laughs from me and Mercy. I tug her hand and we exit the house to make our way to meet up with Zack.

After a quick stop at O'Hares, we enter the house and I yell out for Zack. "Zack, can you come down for a second son?"

"Coming." His voice is a little gruff and angry. That probably has to do with the fact that I told him I needed him home tonight, no exceptions. I'm not sure what I would have said to him if Mercy hadn't come back with me. I close the door behind them as Ally and Mercy look around in awe. Ally's face is priceless. Zack appears at the top of the stairs. "What is-" His question is silenced when he sees them standing there. The smile that breaks out across his face has my heart pounding. "Oh my god, Cedes! Ally!" He rushes down the stairs and throws his arms around Mercy first. She drops her purse and hugs him just as hard. I wrap an arm around Ally's shoulder as we watch them. After a few moments, he clears his throat and then rests his head on her shoulder as the emotion spills into his words. "I've missed you so much." Mercy places a kiss on his temple and rubs circles on his back to calm him as Ally sniffles, then leans the side of her head against my chest and tightens her hold around me. After a few more moments, they release each other and he looks over at Ally. "Hey Ally-oop." His watery eyes glance over at her as he smiles. Ally releases me when he walks toward her and pulls her into a hug. I walk over and join Mercy as we allow them their moment. A few long moments later, the hug breaks apart and then they both wipe their eyes with the backs of their hands. "I'm so happy you guys are finally here. Come on Ally, let me show you my Superman collection."

I stop them before they take off. "Hold on. Have you two eaten?"

They answer in unison. "Yes."

"How about some ice cream?" They both nod. "OK. I want us to sit down for a bit and talk. You've got one hour. Don't get lost!"

"OK." They both yell in unison again, as Ally runs behind Zack toward the basement.

"Come here you. I want to show you around." I take her hand.

"Sam, this place is huge! Why do you need such a big house?"

"It's not that I need it. It's just been handed down from generation to generation. When my uncle retired from the company two years ago, he and my aunt moved out and gave it to me. My partner and cousin, their son, Jonathan didn't want it. But I never use the east wing of the house, so I turned it into living quarters for all of the staff. The west wing has eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms. There is a formal dining room down the hall and a game room in the basement complete with a theater, gym and a bar. Come on, I'll show you." I lead her further into the foyer. "So here on the first floor, we have a sitting room, the eat-in kitchen, a couple of bathrooms, the dining room, a library and my office. There is an outdoor pool, tennis and basketball courts out back." I gesture to the doors on our right. "These doors here lead out to the deck. For the rest of the first floor, further down this hall is a huge locker-room style changing room and the indoor pool." I turn her and we walk up the steps. "Now here on the second floor, are the bedrooms each with their own attached bathroom. This bedroom here is Zack's and mine is at the end of the hall there on the right." I tug her hand. "Come with me. I want to show you something."

She enters my bedroom and turns when she reaches the foot of my bed. "What did you want to show me?"

I grin. "Oh, nothing. I just wanted to get you alone in my bedroom."

She kicks off her heels and walks slowly toward me with her hands on her hips. "Oh, yeah? And what are you going to do with me now that you have me here?"

"Don't tempt me woman." I wrap my arms around her waist and place several pecks on her lips.

She pouts. "You're no fun."

"Who me? I'm loads of fun." I smile widely at her.

She narrows her eyes and smirks. "Sure you are."

I lower my hands and palm her ass. I kiss her lips and then the tip of her nose. "What are your plans for the weekend?"

"I don't have any. Why? What do you have in mind?" Her hands trail up and down my biceps.

"Well, Zack will be staying with his mother. Will you have Ally?"

She stills and smiles. "No. She will be going camping with her Dad and a couple of her cousins."

"So, what do you say about you and I having a sleepover here this weekend? You know, to get started on that christening."

"I say yes." She licks her lips.

"Good. And Ms. Jones, just so we are clear." I raise an eyebrow at her. "That promise I made to you while we were in Florida? Be prepared." I tap her nose with my index finger.

She scrunches her nose up at me and I plant a kiss on her lips. My phone chimes and breaks the kiss. I remove one arm from around her, retrieve my phone from my pocket and look down to see a message from an 'Unknown Caller' with the date July 2. I forgot all about this craziness. And another date that means absolutely nothing to me. I don't have time to deal with this right now. I slide my phone back into my pocket as I remove my arm from her waist and take her hand, leading her back downstairs for ice cream with the kids.

Mercy is seated at the table while I get bowls and spoons for the ice cream. I hear the sound of the kids running up the stairs. "I'm sitting by Cedes." Zack plops down in the chair next to Mercy.

Ally rolls her eyes and takes a seat on the other side of her mother. "OK, calm down weirdo." I place everything on the table and then take the seat next to Ally.

"Whatever." Zack scoops ice cream into his bowl and then slides the carton over to Mercy.

He spoons some of the dessert into his mouth. "So now that you're back, are you going to tell us what happened?"

Mercy's eyes dart over to me and I nod. She looks down at her bowl as she loads her spoon. "Well, someone approached me last week and made some threats against me, Ally, my parents, my brother, Spencer and Alistair. She told me that if I didn't stop seeing Sam, that she would hurt us." She brings the spoon to her mouth and looks over at Zack. "So, I did what I had to do to keep us safe."

Ally chimes in. "So that's why you were so clingy?"

Mercy looks over at her and nods. "Yes. I had to keep my eye on you to make sure you stayed safe."

Zack looks at me and I immediately see and feel his anger. "Who was it?"

Mercy places a calming hand on Zack's arm. "It was just one of Sam's ex-girlfriends." She continues to stroke his arm until his eyes leave mine to look at her. He nods and she smiles. "I'm so sorry for the stress and pain I caused this past week." She looks over at Ally and then back at Zack.

"Is she in jail now?" Zack's eyes find mine again.

Suddenly with a dry mouth, I hesitate. Mercy comes to the rescue yet again. "Well, no."

"So how do we know she won't do what she said?" Ally voices her concern this time and looks over at me.

Her eyes are nowhere near as angry as Zack's. I clear my throat. "We confronted her tonight before picking you up. She was under the impression that I wanted to be with her again and that Mercy was in the way of that. I made it clear to her that I am not interested in her." Ally nods seemingly satisfied with my response, so I continue. "We are also filing a formal complaint with the police tomorrow."

"We? Was she threatening you too dad?" His eyes aren't as angry as they were a minute ago.

"No. Sorry. I just meant that I am going with Mercy when she files tomorrow."

He looks down at his bowl and gets another spoonful of ice cream. "Oh, OK."

We enjoy our dessert in near silence for several minutes. The only sound that can be heard is that of the spoons clinking against our bowls. Hating the silence as usual, I look for a safer subject to discuss. When I can come up with nothing interesting, I go with the safest. "So how is school going you two?"

Zack's answer is quick and short. "Fine."

Mercy and I turn to see Ally staring strangely at Zack, almost as if she is daydreaming. I place my hand on her forearm. "Ally?"

"Huh?" She looks over at me with confusion.

Mercy places a hand on her back. "You OK honey? Sam asked how school was going."

Ally looks over at Mercy and nods. "Oh, it's fine. Sorry but when you mentioned school, I immediately started worrying that I forgot something at the house that I will need for tomorrow." Ally looks at me and smiles. "Sorry." I nod.

Mercy softly taps her back. "Well once you finish with your ice cream, you can check and see if you forgotten anything."

"OK, great. But yeah, school is good. I really like it there. I love being in the marching band. It's fun!" A smile brightens her face.

Zack grins. "Yeah, I like it too. We have our first home game Friday."

"Ours is too." She eyes Zack again.

Mercy shakes her head and holds up her hands. "Alright, here is what we will do. Sam will go to Zack's game, I will go to Ally's and then the next week, we will switch. I'll go to Zack's and Sam will go to Ally's. How does that sound?" She already knew this was going to happen. Ally and Zack stay engaged in a stare-down with each other for about a minute.

I offer the other option. "Come on guys, we can't be at two places at one time. It's either this or we both go to one of your games one week and to the other game the next." I look at Zack and then at Ally.

Zack finally gives his opinion. "I guess one of you at each game is the better choice."

Ally nods. "Yeah, me too."

"Good. Now that that is settled, you two need to be getting ready for bed." I stand, pick up the bowls and spoons and place them in the sink. I turn in time to see them each give Mercy a hug good night. Then Ally approaches me.

"Night Sam." She hugs me around my waist and places her head against my chest.

I smile and rest my head on top of hers. "Night sweetheart." I release her and Zack takes her place. "Night son."

"Night dad. Love you."

"Love you too." I kiss the top of his head.

Inside my bedroom, I have her trapped against the door. My lips are buried in the crook of her neck as her hands play in my hair. I move my hands down and slide them between her and the door to pull her closer to me. I feel a slight scratch against my scalp, and it causes me to suck harder. She moans and I wrap my arms tight around her waist and lift her. She wraps her legs around me and I back up toward the bed. I turn to lie her down when I hear a knock on the door. We still and then she slides down my front. We adjust our clothes and then she sits as I go to the door to open it.

Ally is there on the other side. "Is everything OK sweetie?"

"Can I talk to you and mom for a minute?"

"Of course." I take her hand and walk her over to sit next to Mercy. I then return to the door and close it.

She looks over at me and then at her mother. "There is this woman that works in the cafeteria that is always staring at me. I thought I was imagining it or that we just always happened to make eye contact. Ashley and Sarah call her my little stalker. We always just laughed it off. But there is something familiar about her and I didn't realize it until tonight. Zack has her eyes. Is she the one who threatened you? Is that why she is always staring at me?" Oh no. No.

Mercy eyes me and then takes Ally's hand. "Ally, sweetie, yes, but please, we didn't want to say, for Zack's sake."

"Who is she?" She looks at Mercy then at me.

"She's my ex-wife. Zack's mother." I walk to sit on the other side of her.

Ally shoulders begin to shake and that's when I notice she is crying. Her words are whispered. "You have to tell him."

"Honey, it's complicated." Mercy releases her hand and puts her arm around Ally's shoulder.

"It doesn't have to be." She wipes her eyes. "Mom, I cannot keep this from him. It's not fair. He should know."

I take Ally's hand. "He should. And I will tell him. I'm just worried about destroying the relationship that he has with his mom. That's why we didn't want either of you to know. Him because of what it may do to their relationship and you because you shouldn't have the burden of knowing something like this that he doesn't."

Mercy shakes her head. "Ally try to put yourself in Zack's shoes for a minute. How would you feel if you found out that I was threatening Alistair to make him stay away from your dad?"

"I would be crushed, and also upset with you."

"Exactly. So that is why we are trying to keep that information from him. This may cause the kind of pain that can never be healed."

"But he should know mom."

Mercy looks over at me. "Sam, maybe you should let your ex be the one to tell him. Just hear me out. Give her the chance to be the one to tell him of her actions first, it she doesn't, then you should."

"What if she doesn't tell him the truth?" Ally's eyes train on me as well.

With her eyes still on me, Mercy gestures with her head. "Then you tell him. Just give her the chance first. Contact her and tell her that she needs to tell him. Tell her that you are giving her the opportunity to do it first, or you will."

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod solemnly. "He will be with her this weekend, so she will have to tell him then."

Mercy directs her attention to Ally again. "And if she doesn't, Sam will. And if he needs me to be there with him, I will be." She leans over slightly and places her hand on top of me and Ally's attached hands.

"OK." Ally sniffles and nods her head.

We all stand, and Mercy turns Ally toward her. "Sweetie, I'm not sure how he will react when he finds out. I just want you to be prepared."

Ally nods again. "Zack is my brother. I will be there for him." She hugs Mercy and then me. "I'm going to get to bed." She walks to the door and then turns her head in our direction. "Night mom. Night Sam."

"Night honey."

Once Ally has left the room. I sit on the bed with my head in my hands. This is going to turn Zack's world upside down. I worry about how he will handle this news. It's a little-known fact, but he truly is a momma's boy. My mind stays on Zack so much so that I don't hear her talking to me. When I guess she senses that I am not listening to her, I feel her sit next to me. "Baby, what's wrong?"

I exhale, sit up and shake my head. "This is going to completely tear him up Mercy. He loves and adores his mom." I throw my head back and forcefully blow out a breath. "I wish I could bear the pain he is about the go through. I wish there was a way he would never have to know." I feel her hand grabbing at mine, and I dart off the bed. "We never should have told them. That was a mistake." I keep my back to her.

"You agreed with me when I suggested it."

"Yes, I know, but that is because I thought it was the best option. I'm re-thinking that now." Anger is boiling up inside me. Why did I listen to her? We could have made up any number of stories.

"OK, so what is the best option?"

Keeping my back to her, I clench my teeth. "Not telling them."

I hear what sounds like a dry chuckle. "Well, it's too late for that."

"Obviously." My voice is low and hushed.

"You know, the sarcastic comments really aren't necessary. I'm just trying to help. What should we do?" I feel her at my side.

I keep my eyes down and away from her. "I think you've done enough. He's my son, I will handle it myself."

There is a space of silence that seems to go on forever. From the corner of my eye, I see her defensively cross her arms. "I'm fully aware of that and was only trying to offer my support. You obviously don't want or need it, so I will just stop talking."

I shake my head and walk toward the door. "Look, I'm getting tired. Let's just go to bed. You can use my shower. I'll use the one next door."

"OK."

I stand under the spraying water as I try to figure a way to ease the upcoming pain for Zack. Above everyone else, he is my everything. He always will be. I wish for a way to not have to tell him. He lost the only family he ever knew too soon. I cannot take his mother from him too because I know once he knows this, he will be inconsolable. He will lash out and he will hate me for sure. This will be all my fault. As the water washes away the tears that had rolled down my face, I sigh deeply and just resign myself to figure it out in the morning. After a few more minutes, I turn off the shower and ready myself for bed.

I enter the bedroom to find Mercy in the recliner on the far side of the bed with an expectant look on her face. I feel like an absolute asshole for the way I talked to her before my shower. Truth is, I did agree to tell the kids all the details and just omit Marley's name but once Ally made the connection, I panicked and definitely overreacted. I stare at her for a moment and then go over to the bed. I know that I need to apologize but my pride won't let me and the look on her face isn't helping either. I pull the covers back and climb in, lying on my side and facing away from her. "Night."

After a long pause, I feel her settle into bed next to me. "Night."