So we didn't want you guys to wait too long with that cliff hanger. Love you all and stay safe.

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?"

Sam looked up with a confused expression. "Kitty, what are you talking about?" Yes, they'd gone on a couple dates, but he was pretty sure he would've remembered asking her to be his girlfriend.

Kitty Wilde, she was a year behind them in school that is why she looked familiar.

Kitty moved closer to them and moved to wedge in between Sam and the girl he was cuddled up with. "I am talking about us Sammy. We had so much fun last week it was like the perfect date." She turned to Mercedes. "Sam and I have been seeing each other."

Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Really. That's...something." She didn't know whether to laugh at how desperate the girl was or to be upset that Sam dated her, of all people.

"Could you... okay, that..." Sam sighed and rubbed at his eyes with his fingers. "We went on a couple dates," he explained. "I wouldn't say we're... an us exactly." This wasn't awkward at all.

Kitty smiled. "I mean it was so obvious that the last date was so...hot..." she looked at Mercedes. "I mean he couldn't get enough," she turned back to Sam. "that we were defiantly moving in that direction."

And that was it. Mercedes stood. "Oh look there is someone that I probably know over that way. I will let you handle this." She grabbed her phone and walked towards another table..

A flabbergasted look appeared on Sam's face and he shook his head. "What?" He started to stand to go after Mercedes, but he was in a picnic table and just ended up hurting himself. With a grunt, he sat back down. "Kitty, we're not together. We're not gonna be together, okay?"

Mercedes pretended to scroll through her phone as she sat down, she would let him handle that.

"Sam come on, I know you like me, you wouldn't have gone out with me if you didn't. I know we are just starting out but we had fun together right?"

Sam sighed softly. "Yeah, we had fun. And I like you fine." He glanced over at Mercedes. "But I've loved her since I was 12 years old. I'm sorry."

Kitty followed his gaze over to Mercedes and frowned. "Sorry? No you don't dump me I dump you." She stood. "You really think that someone like her is gonna be okay being with someone like you? Sam we belong here, she doesn't. The sooner you realize that the better."

Sam looked up at her, his jaw tightening. "You know what? Her or not, we never would've worked out," he decided. "My food's getting cold."

Kitty stared at him. "We will see about that." Mercedes headed back towards the table as Kitty started to storm away, but she stopped and walked up to Mercedes. "He told me he loved me just to get into my pants. He is not a good guy, run."

Mercedes smirked. "Oh girl. If I didn't already know you were pathetic this sealed the deal. Buh bye."

Kitty stormed off rolling her eyes angrily.

Sam sighed heavily and hid his head in his hands at the table until Mercedes walked back. He let his arms fall and looked up at her. "For the record, I did not sleep with her."

Mercedes smiled sitting next to him. "Sam, she spread a rumor that she slept with Blaine and we both knew he was not into women. So yeah I stopped listening to things she said back then."

Sam let out a loud laugh and nodded as he remembered. "She kept bugging me to go out and I finally gave in. Like I said, kinda desperate for adult conversations sometimes. Not that she's great at them."

"You had a life while I was gone Sam I can't fault you for that." She chewed her bottom lip. "Just because it was brought up and I am curious... have you been with anyone since...Kat?"

Sam smiled at her slowly as he ate his cornbread. Once he swallowed, he shook his head. "No. Nothing beyond some kisses," he admitted.

Mercedes nodded but didn't say anything. She and Sam weren't even there yet but little by little she was starting to feel a bit like she wouldn't be able to live up to Sam and what he expected.

Sam kept eating, sucking at his straw as Kitty's words ran through his head. "You know... we've talked a lot about where I'm at, but are you sure you get involved with somebody like me?"

Mercedes looked at him and frowned. "What do you mean someone like you?"

Sam shrugged. "A small town single father who fixes cars."

Mercedes frowned. "You of all people should know that I don't see you like that." She sighed. "But me getting involved with you isn't about all that if I had a problem it would be because of my career. Is it fair to ask you to pick up your life and the only life June knows for me? Is it fair for me to let down all of my clients old and new because I still love you?" She chewed her bottom lip. "There is so much to think about but none of that is because of your job or where you live and yes its about you being a father but not like that."

Sam looked up at her through his lashes and sighed. "You deserve the world, Cedes. And even ten years later, with as much as I've grown, I don't know that I can give you that."

"Sam you are my world. You were back then and its clear you still are. You can give me love, the love i have been searching for my whole life." She sighed. "We only have two speeds dont we? Either we go super slow and wait ten years to admit we love each other. Or we are practically ready to say our vows."

Sam couldn't help but chuckle at that. "It seems that way, yeah. Though I do think we should hold off on that just a little," he added. Maybe if it was just him, he'd dive in head first and throw it to the wind, but he wasn't just him anymore. "But I am right where I wanna be right now."

Mercedes glanced down at her drink. "What if June doesn't really like me? What if you both resent me? Because I don't think I can give up the work I am doing in L.A. Its too important Sam. We are a network each of us working to make sure abused women and men get the help they need."

"June likes everybody," Sam assured her. "Literally, it's a little dangerous sometimes. We're working on stranger danger. And I would never ask you to do that. I told you, we'll... we'll figure it out." He didn't have all the answers right now, but he wanted to find them. "Unless you don't want us to."

Mercedes smiled. "Says her dad who was kinda the same way." She teased. "Linking her hand with his she smiled softly. "I am here for at least the 6 weeks and we can take it from there. I want to figure it out Sam I truly do. I just got you I don't want to lose you."

Sam ran his thumb against her skin and nodded, smiling. "I know it feels like we wasted a lotta time and... I guess we did. But I have a lot to think about. Not how I feel about you, that was always pretty damn clear. But how to do what's best for June... all of it." He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. "Is there anything I can do to help with your mom?"

"Thats what scares me. What if I am not best for June?" She sighed not sure if he understood how scary all this was for her. She ran, its what she did, its who she was. But now she can't. Shaking her head she frowned. "Not right now, she is in Chemo and doing really well."

"Hey, hey. I have no doubt in my mind that you would be amazing for June. And no matter what happens, I would love for you to be in her life," Sam insisted, looking in her eyes. "I am, admittedly, a little nervous about taking her away from my parents, but it's something for us to talk about. You and me, me and them. And we'll figure it out." He nodded in understanding. "Okay, well, I'm always here if you need me. So's Ma."

Mercedes nodded. "But that is for another day. I want to enjoy our date. Maybe after lunch we can go back to the car... have a little fun. But not too much I kinda wanna pick June up and get some ice cream."

Sam raised an eyebrow and sucked up the last of his pop. "What kinda fun did you have in mind?"

She playfully shrugged. "You have a truck, there's a lake over there, i mean that could be fun."

Sam glanced around and smiled. It felt just like it did when they were kids, except with this whole new promise of something he'd never allowed himself to think about before. Not too hard anyway. "Yeah, that could be fun."

Mercedes smiled standing and wrapping up her food. "Then lets go." She finished her drink, throwing it away and grabbed a piece of gum as she made her way to Sam's truck.

Sam took a moment to watch her before he got up himself to throw his trash away. This whole feeling like a teenager again thing really wasn't so bad. He hopped in the truck and worked to back it up against the lake.

Sam parked them back against the lake and she smiled getting out and moving to the bed of the truck. She eyed a blanket and spread it out before she sat down and waited for Sam. She looked out to the lake. Feelings of hers about Sam came flooding back. They were at the lake right before she was set to leave. Emotions were high and she wanted to kiss him, wanted him but the moment she thought he was gonna kiss her he didn't.

Sam hopped into the bed and leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the sky. "I can't remember the last time I sat in the back of a truck," he chuckled. "It was the best way to travel back in the day. Now I'm just putting car seats in the back seat."

Mercedes laughed. "Movies, parties it was all just so much fun back then. I have been working so much I haven't spent much time doing anything fun." She laid back next to Sam. "Last time I was here it was right before I left."

"Tell me about it. My fun usually consists of playgrounds now." He nodded slowly at the memory. "I remember. I was smoking a cigarette like the dumbass I was."

"I always told your idiot self to stop. Glad to see you finally have." She blew a bubble with the gum letting it pop. "It was after midnight and I didn't want to go home, didn't want to leave you.

Sam shrugged. "After high school, there really wasn't anyone to look cool in front of." He looked over at her with a smirk. "I didn't wanna take you home. Didn't want the morning to come."

Mercedes looked over to him. "I really wanted you to kiss me. I was too scared to do it myself and wanted you to do it for me. I wanted you to beg me to stay."

Sam stayed silent for a moment, remembering everything. "I couldn't do that. If I had, it wouldn't have been fair to either of us," he insisted. "You'd have resented me if you stayed. I'd have hated myself."

Mercedes frowned. "I know." She linked her hands in his. "I hated myself for leaving, I should have stayed or at least stayed in contact.

"Told ya. No point in worrying about woulda, shoulda, couldas," Sam reminded her, giving her hand a squeeze.

She leaned into him. "Oh so what can we do instead of worry then?"

Sam smiled slowly. "We could always keep talking or... something else."

Mercedes smiled. It was midday on a surprisingly nice day and yet she didn't care. Doing what she should have done all those years ago she leaned in and kissed him softly.

Sam let his eyes slip closed and he let himself truly enjoy the moment. He really didn't get to do that often enough anymore and there was no one he'd rather experience it with.

As she pulled away she stared at him for a moment before going in for another kiss. Her body moved closer to his, letting herself give in, in a way she never did.

Sam moved his arm so he could wrap it around her and hold her closer. He smiled against her lips as his fingertips traced her jaw.

This was everything she had ever wanted back then and somehow it was needed more. He pulled her closer and she melted into his arms. "Sam." Left her lips as she allowed herself to fully embrace the moment.

"Mmm," Sam hummed happily as he kept on kissing her, his nose brushing against hers. "You are so worth the wait," he whispered.

Mercedes pulled back, placing her forehead against his, eyes closed, breath labored. "I don't think I should have kissed you." She sighed eyes still closed. "Yesterday was hard to pull away but now, God I could spend all day in your arms."

Sam let out a low chuckle. "Well, we can't stay here all day, but... still got a few more minutes." He pulled her back in and kissed her again.

"Ahem." A voice came from above them.

Sam startled and blinked his eyes open, seeing a police uniform but not much else besides the sun. He sat up quickly and let out a sigh of relief when he saw it was his dad's friend. "Oh. Hey, Benny. You scared the shit outta me."

"Well, what are you doing, Sammy?" he asked with an exasperated laugh. "The the Jones girl? Did I just time travel back to 2010?"

She wanted to say something but he pulled her back into a kiss and she wasn't mad about it. Hearing a voice she pulled back and stared up. Seeing the older male she smiled moving from Sam and fixing her hair. "Officer Hill!" She said with a smile slightly embarrassed they were caught. They had a long history with the older male since he was friends with Sam's dad and the two often created some mischief.

Benny chuckled, shaking his head. "Good to see some things never change. Or at least change for the better. But for my sake, try to keep this particular change in the privacy of your homes."

Sam smiled innocently. "We can do that. Sorry, man."

"No worries. Just got a call from Mrs. O' Riley. You know how she is. No fun, that woman. Tell your family I said hello, Sammy. Miss Jones, welcome home."

Mercedes blushed. "Sure thing Sir and thank you." She sat back closing her eyes. "So we just got caught like some horny teenagers."

Sam pulled his knees up as he sat, resting his arms on them, and just laughed. "Felt damn good too," he admitted. "Even if Mrs. O' Riley is a prude."

Mercedes smiled sitting up besides him. "So with this seeing each other thing, will we get to do more of that kissing?"

Turning his head, he smiled at her. "I certainly hope so. But perhaps not in the middle of the park," he suggested with slight regret and a little pout.

She leaned into him and turned his face towards hers, she kissed him softly then sighed. "So we should probably get going huh?"

"Probably," Sam agreed. "You still wanna get ice cream with Junie and me?"

Mercedes smiled. "If you will both have me I do."

"We most certainly will. C'mon, let's go pick her up." Sam patted her leg and kissed her once more before moving to climb out of the bed of the truck and get back into the cab.

Mercedes nodded. "Lets go." She got back into the cab she got a text. Seeing it was her mom she shook her head smiling.

Mom: Just got a call from Mary, who got a call from Benny, making out by the lake? Really?

Mercy: Mom! I swear people are so nosy.

"So word has spread to our parents we were making out.

Sam let out a laugh. "Of course it has. Them and everyone else probably," he reasoned. He'd lived in this town long enough to know how it worked.

Mercedes sighed as her phone buzzed again.

Mom: Soo whats going on? You two dating or what?

Mercy: Mom come on can i please tell you when we get home?

Mom: Fine.

"I forgot how small this town was."

"You get used to it," Sam said with a shrug as he drove back to his parents' place. "And they mean well. Well, our parents at least. Most of the rest of them are just bored."

Mercedes nodded. "Benny kinda seemed to think it was about time we go together, don't you think?'

Sam smirked slightly. "I'm pretty sure everyone around here thinks that. Except Kitty maybe," he added with a laugh.

Mercedes laughed. "Yeah well Kitty can suck it." She said taking a breath and looking out the window.

"Actually, that's exactly what she wants to do and she's not allowed," Sam pointed out, pausing before he let out another amused laugh. He pulled up into his parents' driveway.

"Oh my Gosh! I hate you!" She laughed shaking her head, "Ya Nasty."

Sam kept on laughing as he hopped out of the truck. "Hey, I never claimed that my sense of humor matured with the rest of me," he pointed out, going up and opening the front door as Mercedes followed him.

Mercedes just followed him shaking her head. As they entered his parents house she braced herself for what might come of it. Rounding the corner she heard laughing and was shocked to see her mother in the kitchen with Mary.

Sam turned and looked at Mercedes. "I'm not even surprised, to be honest," he declared before turning back to his mother. "Where's my daughter?"

"In the living room with your father," Mary replied with a knowing smile.

Mercedes shook her head. "And who are we gossiping about today? Your children perhaps?"

Ruby smiled. "Oh Mary its like old times, except instead of getting caught by the police toilet papering Jimmy Perez's house because he stood Mercedes up, they were caught necking."

Mercedes laughed. "Jimmy and his hateful father deserved it!"

"Necking?" Sam repeated as he walked back in with June on his hip. "No offense to you lovely ladies, but what decade is this again?" he teased as he put June in one of the kitchen chairs and opened the fridge.

Ruby shrugged. "So what would you prefer son? Hooking up?" She teased.

Mercedes just laughed happy to see her mom happy. "Hi June!"

Sam turned and gave Ruby a look, gesturing at June who was giggling. There was still a smile on his face though. "We shared a couple kisses, okay?"

"Hi M'cedes," June greeted, reaching out for the juice box Sam was handing her.

Mercedes smiled at the little girl, all she wanted to do was scoop her up and love her but she didn't want to overstep so she stayed put.

"Ruby eyed Sam hopefully. "And was anything resolved by..." she looked at June then back to Sam, knowing her daughter wouldn't admit anything. "By being at the lake?"

Sam raised a curious eyebrow. "I didn't know we had a problem we needed to resolve," he replied, grinning as he sucked down his own juice box. "We've been getting along quite swimmingly. She have lunch, Ma?"

Mary nodded, knowing how sassy her son was capable of being. "Grilled cheese and carrots. She ate all of it."

"Good girl. What do you say to getting some ice cream?"

"I scream!" June shouted with excitement.

Mercedes smiled kissing her mom on the cheek then moving to Mary. "And thats all you get." She moved to June. "Can I come and get Ice Cream too June?"

"Yeah! I scream, you scream!" June giggled.

"We all scream for ice cream." Sam tickled June's sides and made her giggle even louder. "Go get your backpack."

"I swear every time i see her she gets more adorable. "

Ruby smiled. "Will you be returning home tonight?"

Mercedes sighed. "I don't know, probably."

June ran back into the living room, hugged her Papa and picked up her backpack before scurrying back out to the kitchen. She was practically bouncing already.

"Just imagine what she'll be like after the sugar," Sam chuckled. "Thanks for watching her, Ma." He leaned over and kissed Mary's cheek.

"It's my pleasure as always. Especially if you need to do anything... go on a date perhaps," Mary suggested.

"Bye, Moms!" Sam declared.

"Bye, Nana! Bye, Miss Ruby!" June smiled as she took Sam's hand.

"I'll be right back.." Mercedes left to hug Dwight and Ruby smiled. "Sam, sweetie. My daughter better not return to my house tonight." She winked at him before both older women started giggling.

Mercedes returned shaking her head."i don't even wanna know. I will see you guys later." She kissed both women before opening the door for Sam and June.

"Things sure have changed since high school," Sam laughed as he led June out to the truck.