So i know right now the world is going through crap so why not brighten your days with another chapter. Stay healthy we love you guys!

Mercedes walked out to the car and smiled. "Do they still have the best bbq around?"

Sam nodded and gave them a friendly wave before following Mercedes outside. "For Ohio, yeah. Which is probably a lot better than any of that fancy schmancy food they're giving you out in California."

Mercedes stuck her tongue out at him as she got into his truck. "I did miss the food here not gonna lie."

"And that's saying something, since we aren't exactly the food capital of the world or anything," Sam laughed as he started the car up to head to the place. "The food in Mexico was beyond words."

"Mexico huh?" She sighed, "Okay there is just way too much I don't know about you and that is not okay with me."

Sam shrugged as he drove. "Honeymoon," he explained. "I promise it's my only trip out of the country."

"You don't have to explain. You literally have a life that didn't involve me and I am just trying to come to terms with it because I did too. And I took a out of country trip to Germany but that was just to help a client return home."

"Well, that's why we're getting to know each other again, right? Learn some of the stuff we missed," Sam reminded her.

Mercedes nodded. "Okay so what do you wanna know? I am an open book."

"How would I even know where to start?" Sam glanced over at her curiously. "Where do you even live exactly? Is it warm all the time?"

Mercedes smiled. "I live in a LA and yeah it's pretty warm all the time."

"Jealous. I'd love to take Junie to see the ocean someday. Maybe Disneyland. Been saving up to take her somewhere when she gets a little older."

"I am sure she would love that!" Mercedes smiled. "I always knew you would be a good dad. You were to our baby in the ninth grade. Carried that doll everywhere."

"It was a project that didn't require a bunch of reading, I had to take advantage of it." They really had been through so much. "I would like to say that a real human child is much harder."

"I will have to take your word for it." Her phone rang and she pulled it out, sighing she hit ignore but it rang again. "Sorry I gotta take this." She answered it looking away from Sam. "Jay, hey."

"Hey? Haven't heard from you in a few days and all you say is hey?"

"Yep." She said chewing her bottom lip as she often did when she was nervous.

"Well how is your mom? You guys get the referral request I sent?"

"We did."

"There is literally no off button and..." Sam paused when the phone rang and nodded in understanding. He glanced over at her, but kept quiet.

Mercedes sighed. "Look now isn't a good time, I am out getting in some much needed time with a friend."

"That friend's name Sam?"

She foolishly told him about Sam and how he was the one who got away. "Yes it is. So I will call you later."

"Mercedes." He almost yelled. "We are not done talking."

"Oh but we are."

"So is that it? We aren't even going to discuss this?"

Mercedes closed her eyes, she had no idea what was even going on right now. Between her and Sam, her and Jay. He continued and she just exhaled.

"Is that why you suggested we 'cool it' when you left? Cause you were trying to rekindle something with your ex."

"He's not my ex. He's my person. And no that's not why. Now I gotta go. I will call you later i promise." she hung up and stared out the window. She had no idea what her trip home would bring, but she knew Jay had a wandering eye and didn't want to be cheated on. But she kept all that to herself. Not wanting to taint the image of her doctor boyfriend.

Sam had to hide the smile that tried to creep up at being called her person and instead took a deep breath of his own. "I probably shouldn't have sorta asked you out when you still have a boyfriend," he realized. "That's not very cool of me."

Mercedes sighed. "Yeah well what's done is done is done and I am here now aren't I?" She should care but she couldn't, she truly was happy to be out with Sam.

"And it's just lunch," Sam reasoned. "Minus the kissing that we did." He sighed as he pulled into the Pop's parking lot. "I think... since I'm just not making decisions for myself anymore, that after today if we're gonna... figure us out, you need to figure that out first."

Mercedes looked down at her hands. "Do you really want to try to see whatever this is, see where it goes? Because I know this can't just be a fling for you, you have a daughter a life. And I have a job and life with people who rely on me. So this can't be a whim thing for either of us."

Sam nodded slowly. "You're right, it can't. Not that you could ever just be a fling for me anyway, but I do have to think about June with every decision I make. And if it were anyone else, I'd probably decide it wasn't such a great idea. But it's not anybody else. It's you. And that makes it worth it to me."

Mercedes sighed, "Bringing me into your life, is bringing me into June's life, is moving on from Kat. Is that something you are really ready to do?"

"Cedes, Kat's been gone for three years. I know everyone grieves at different speeds, but I've done mine," he assured her. "That's not to say she won't always be missed and I won't ever stop talking to June about her. But Kat would never have wanted me to spend my life without any more love in it."

Mercedes glanced at Sam and took his hand in hers. "I am tired of running out of fear." She said, feeling tears well up. "And I am sorry for everything you lost when Kat... but Sam I have run from you for a long time and the sad thing is I help women all the time run from horrible men and I have been running from a great one for so long because I never wanted to ruin our friendship. But you are worth it to me."

Sam squeezed her hand and smiled at her. "I fully believe that Kat came into my life for a reason. She made me a better man, showed me how to grow up, and gave me the greatest gift I could've asked for. But I also have to believe that you came back right now for a reason too. And I can't just ignore that."

"I don't need to figure anything out with Jay. I know what I want. What I have wanted." She leaned in and kissed him deeply, pouring everything she had ever been feeling about Sam into it.

Sam smiled against her lips before returning her kiss, his fingers coming to brush along her cheek. "I'm glad. But... you still need to tell him," he told her with a whisper as his forehead rested against hers. "Stay here. I'll go in and get us some lunch to take to the park."

Mercedes nodded. "I will tell him now." She rested her head against his. "You know my order." She kissed his cheek and sat back in her seat dialing Jay. She was tired of running and Jay needed to know before anything else happened between them.

Sam smiled back at her as he walked up to the door. He knew this was all happening really fast, but at the same time it took years. He couldn't let it just slip away again. They'd have a lot to figure out when the time came, but it hurt too much to think of the alternative. He was greeted by name by the woman at the counter and he put his usual smile on as he ordered.

"Calling again so soon? I'm honored I am worth your time."

Mercedes sighed. "I am calling you because I can't. I just."

"You love him, still and you are letting me know huh?"

"Jay, he's been the one who got away for so long if I don't try I will continue to regret it."

"I hate to say I understand but I do."

Sam waited for the food and rocked back and forth on his heels. He couldn't help but glance out the front windows at his car to see if Mercedes was okay. Even not great relationships weren't exactly fun to end.

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "I never wanted to hurt you, I didn't even come here for Sam."

"I think a part of you did, don't kid yourself Mercedes."

"Jay I came because my mother is sick. Seeing Sam, it was the furthest thing from my mind at the time."

"And yet you are breaking up with me for him, you haven't even been home that long. You think he still wants you?"

"I don't know. But I want to find out."

He was quiet for a moment. "I am gonna go. I can't really do anything else."

"I am sorry Jay I really am."

"Yeah." He hung up and she sighed looking at her phone hoping that she was making the right decision.

Sam walked out of the restaurant with a bag of food in hand and got back in the car. Tucking it in the backseat, he reached over for her hand. "You okay?"

Mercedes glanced at him and smiled. "I am...okay I mean we weren't in love or anything but I know he was upset." She rubbed her thumb against his hand.

Sam nodded in understanding. "I know the feeling," he recalled. He started the car back up and headed to the park. "You are pretty great to have around after all."

Mercedes blushed. "You like having me around huh? I just hope June feels the same way. I don't want to confuse her."

Sam glanced over at her. "Why would you confuse her? I told exactly who you were and she's a pretty smart little whip."

Mercedes turned more towards him. "I know we are trying to figure all this out but say we do and say the feelings are strong then what? What do you want from this? From us?"

"Isn't 'us' enough?" Sam asked. "What exactly are you asking me?"

"I am asking what this will be for you? Is this just you living out a fantasy or do you want more? Would you be willing to move? Would you want me here? Would you want us to be a family? I know this is all so much to think about but I don't know how not to be in control. I have to have some sort of plan, some sort of knowledge that we want the same things."

"Whoa, whoa, a fantasy? What is that supposed to mean?" Sam asked with slight frustration. "You think I'm playing a game or something? You think I can afford to play games when I have June to keep in mind?"

"No I don't and that is why I need to hear you say what you want this to be so we are both clear."

"Listen, I can't make you any promises until I know where you stand either. I can't even think about becoming a family and moving June away unless I know it's something you're willing to be a part of. Because promising her something and then taking it away is a hell of a lot worse than anything else."

She nodded. "I don't want any promises. I really do want to see where this goes, if we, if we still connect still feel the same. If we can love the people we have become. And it scares me that you have been married before, that you have a daughter. I would never want to take Kat's place. But in truth the thought of losing you again scares me."

Sam licked his lips and took a deep breath as he drove. "I told you, you're not taking Kat's place. I've done my grieving for Kat and June... she never even knew her."

Mercedes leaned in and stared at him closely. "As long as we can be honest with each other I can promise I won't run away."

Sam nodded and reached over for her hand again. "I will always be honest with you," he promised her. "I do have to keep June in mind when I make decisions, I won't deny that. But this wouldn't be you replacing anybody. It would just be us... starting a new chapter of our lives."

Mercedes pulled his hand up and kissed it softly. "Okay." She sat back. "Let's get to the park cause I am starving."

Sam smiled and finished the drive to the park. He hopped out and got the food from the back. "It is crazy how different dating becomes when you've got a career or a child. It seemed a lot simpler when we were young and stupid."

Mercedes smiled, getting out of the car. "And tell me how is it different?"

"I don't know. I wasn't thinking about my future much back then," Sam admitted. "Just living in the moment. I was sure everything would just work out." He walked over to a nearby picnic table and sat down. "Now every choice I make could have a lifelong impact on this tiny human. That doesn't just go for dating either, but like... everything."

Mercedes nodded. "I know it's not a baby or anything but I do feel that way about my job. I am not just a lawyer, I am a way out for people who don't see a way. i never thought my life would be that important that so many people would be changed because of me."

"From the sounds of it, you've got life changing decisions on your plate too," Sam pointed out, shrugging. "But for the record, I always knew you'd make a difference somehow. You were meant for it."

She looked at him and nodded. "I just want to show you that I am taking this serious too." She placed her hair behind her ears. "I didn't. But a young mom came into my office and her husband refused to let her go and the rest is history. I mean it's come with its own death threats and stuff but still so worth it."

Sam frowned at the idea of anyone even threatening to hurt Mercedes, even if he knew she was a smart woman. "I'm sure there's a lot of grateful women out there. Grateful and safe."

Mercedes nodded. "They are and I am grateful that I got to work with them. That I got to help them." Mercedes sighed. "Okay so how long have you owned the garage?"

"Um... about two years," Sam recalled, popping his food container open. "But I was running everything for a few years before that with Mr Garrett's input. I'm afraid my stories on that front aren't quite as inspiring."

"I think it's inspiring but tell me why you don't think it is? You literally worked your way up to being owner." She smiled opening her own. "I want you to be proud of yourself so i hope you are."

Sam shrugged as he ate. "I guess I don't think about it much. Not that I hate my job or anything. I have good guys working for me and I know most of my customers by name, you know? But it's just sort of always been a secondary thing to me. Something that allows me to take care of my family."

Mercedes nodded. "I guess I get that and I am glad that you are happy. Glad that you can help your family." She took a bite of her ribs and closed her eyes moaning. "Oh my Gosh this is so good."

Sam perched his chin on his hand and watched her with a smile. It was just good to see her happy. "It's crazy, isn't it? How life can take us on such different paths, but... it still feels like we fit together somehow."

Mercedes licked her lips and looked at Sam. "I don't think we could ever not fit together." She glanced around the park. "Even this park has changed. But it still feels the same."

Sam looked around with her. "I guess it has. You don't notice that much when you're here while it's happening," he admitted. "Junie loves this spot. She likes following the ducks around."

Mercedes glanced at Sam and smiled. "Tell me more about her, her birthday, why you named her June?" She wanted to know more about the light of Sam's life.

"The answer to both those questions is June 1st," Sam replied with a chuckle. "She was due around the middle of June, but she came early for reasons that turned out to be pretty bad. But from the time we found out the due date, we would call her our little June baby. And one day Kat just suggested we actually name her that."

Mercedes laughed. "Can I ask... what happened with the delivery?"

Sam looked down at his food for a moment, but he nodded. "She actually had a heart condition that we didn't discover until she was pregnant," he explained. "The extra stress on her body brought some of the symptoms out, but she was as determined as ever. But, um... it got worse and she was getting really weak, so they decided to do a C-section, but... her heart gave out while she was on the table."

Mercedes stared at Sam. She instantly stood moving to sit next to him and took his hand in hers. "I am sorry Sam, but wow, that right there, that is a mother's love for you. From what I know she was a very strong woman." She turned to look up to him. "If we do this Sam, I don't want you to feel like you can't talk about her."

Sam smiled at that. "She was. So strong. And she loved Junie more than anything before she was even here," he recalled. He met Mercedes' eyes and nodded. "And I don't want you to think the way I felt about her was... stronger or better or more real than the way I feel about you. They're two different things and you're too different people."

Mercedes smiled. "I have seen that love. Mothers who have to build the strength to leave for their kids. A mother's love rivals no other." Her hand went to his cheek as she stared at him. "I would never think to compare the two Sam." Mercedes smiled softly before turning to lay her head on his shoulder. She wanted to know more but decided that maybe right now wasn't the time.

Sam closed his eyes for a moment and rested his head against Mercedes'. He hadn't talked about it in awhile. It didn't hurt as much as it had, but the pain of loss would never fully go away. "I want June to have that too," he admitted quietly. "I try to give her everything she needs and I know she has my mom around, but... she deserves more than that."

Mercedes closed her eyes. She could see it, spending time with Sam and June, being there for that little girl and trying to give her everything. She sat up and looked at him. "Sam I-"

"Well isn't this a pretty picture." A female's voice broke through. Mercedes looked over at the woman, she looked vaguely familiar but she didn't remember why. The woman moved closer to Mercedes. "Nice to meet you, I am Sam's girlfriend. And you are?"