Four Weeks Later

Ruby sat in her sunroom, looking out into the yard as her grandkids ran around. Both of Mercedes brothers had returned home this week as the family wanted to all be home to see if she was in remission or not and so she was so happy to see her grandkids playing and laughing as their parents had.

Ruby closed her eyes for a moment then heard Mercedes yell.

"Mal! I am gonna kill you!" She screamed."

"I didn't even do anything." Malcolm Jones said running into the room smiling innocently. Mercedes joined him, the back of her shirt clearly soaked and a stick in her hand as she swung at him.

"I am gonna kill you. I was almost ready now I gotta call Sam and tell him I am gonna be late!" She swung at him again.

"Oh Sam I love you, I cant wait to be in your arms." Malcolm said laughing and making a kissy face.

Mercedes grunted in frustration as Ruby smiled seeing them fight. It was like they were teens again.

Sam walked into his parents' house with June riding on his back. "Hey, Ma. Thanks for watching her tonight."

"You know you don't have to thank me every time," Mary teased, taking her granddaughter and setting her on the floor.

Sam shrugged. "I know. But you already watch her between preschool and me getting off work and now date nights. I just appreciate it, that's all."

"Feel free to repay me by telling me about the dates," Mary suggested with a smile.

"Malcolm leave your sister alone, and Mercedes no killing your brother til after your date." Ruby said.

One of the kids shrieked and as he turned, Mercedes smacked Malcolm on the head with the stick and smiled triumphantly as his wife called him. He eyed her. "Saved by the wife, this ain't over Merce."

Mercedes smirked watching him walk away and sighed looking at the pink sundress she was currently wearing. "I really wanted to wear this tonight."

Ruby stood. "Well lets go see if we can find you something else."

Mercedes nodded making her way back up to her room. Ruby sat on the bed. "So you have been spending a lot of time with Sam."

Mercedes blushed going through her things. "Yeah we have been having fun."

"Just fun? Nothing serious?"

Mercedes turned to her mom. "I mean I love him, always have I just..."

"Just what?"

"You do remember that you're my mom, right?" Sam teased. He ruffled June's hair before she took off in search of her grandfather. "I don't remember you being this interested in my dating life before."

"Not true," Mary insisted. "I was just as curious with Kat. I only get nosy about the ones I know are gonna matter. And this one has mattered for a very long time."

Sam sighed, smiling slightly to himself. "Yeah... she has," he admitted quietly.

Mercedes sat next to her mother. "He was married mom, has a daughter. He had this whole other life that I had nothing to do with. Every time I step foot in his house I am reminded of that. Every time I kiss him, I think is she watching me, mad I am with him?" She sighed. "Why didn't you tell me mom? We talked all the time, you came to visit a few times, why didn't you tell me about Sam?"

Ruby frowned. "It took you years to stop crying over him, I guess I didn't want to hurt you by telling you he moved on and was married. Then when he lost Kat it was just easier not to say anything."

Mercedes closed her eyes. "What am I doing? How can he even love me after being with her? He found the love of his life so what does that make me? We talk and have these great conversations but I am so scared that maybe he is just settling because its easier to be with me than someone else."

Sam grabbed a beer from the fridge and took a seat at the table. He still had a little bit before he was supposed to pick Mercedes up. "I mean, things are going well, I think. We've been having a blast just like we always did."

Mary put their dinner in the oven and came to sit with him. "Why do I sense a but coming?"

Sam shook his head. "No but exactly. I guess I just feel like she's still a little... scared of the whole thing."

"Can you blame her? It's a lot to take on, sweetie. But she might just need time to get used to the idea."

Ruby took her hand. "It makes you the one who got away, Sweetie you have been running from Sam your whole life. You two were practically made for each other and instead of telling him how you felt you ran away."

"Sam encouraged me to go!" she defended.

"Yes he did, but it was you who left and left him behind."

She nodded. "it was hard mom. How could I... maybe I should have never come home."

"Mercedes Ari Jones don't you dare try to run your little behind back to L.A. You are finally happy, the happiest I have ever seen you, don't miss out on Sam because you are scared. Not everyone gets a second chance, you won't get a third."

"Have you talked to her about Kat?" Mary asked.

"Of course. She's Junie's mom, she's part of my life."

"Have you talked to her about what you and Kat talked about in the hospital?" Mary corrected, speaking more specifically.

Sam sighed, running his thumb across the condensation on his bottle. "No. I've never talked to anyone about that. Except you."

"Well, of all people, don't you think she's the person to tell?" Mary pointed out.

Mercedes signed. "I cant run, I promised no more running but I am so scared I am going to get hurt."

Ruby leaned into Mercedes. "You are already hurt, years of being hurt. You have a real shot at being in love with the man of your dreams. Don't ruin it baby."

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "And if I am wrong? Then what?"

"Then I will be here. But I don't think you are."

Sam nodded slowly, taking another drink. "Yeah. Okay." He pulled his phone out to send her a text. "I'll let her know I'm on my way."

Sam: Dropped Junie off. Be there in 15 :heart:

Mercedes wiped her eyes and nodded. "Thank you mom."

"Always." Ruby said softly. Feeling her phone vibrate she smiled seeing it was from Sam.

Mercy: Okay great! Just finishing getting ready.

Mercedes stood. "I should finish getting ready."

Ruby stood and smiled grabbing a dress from Mercedes closet and smiled. "I think you should wear this tonight. "Red is your color."

Mercedes looked at the red off the shoulder maxi dress. It hugged the curves and fell to her ankle's with a slit that moved dangerously high on her thigh. "You think?"

"I do."

Mercedes took it and smiled. "Well then let me get dressed quickly."

Sam got up and kissed his mother's cheek. "Thanks, Ma. For everything." He went into the living room to say goodbye to his dad and June her hugs and tell her to behave. Heading out, he drove over to the Jones' house and got out to knock at the door.

Mercedes was finishing getting ready as she heard the knock. "Can someone get that I should be down in a minute."

Malcolm walked to the door and eyed Sam up and down. "Well if it isn't Sam Evans. How you doing man?" He slapped Sam's back. "Still can't believe you and Merce are finally dating."

"Mal!" Sam exclaimed with a smile, shaking the man's hand. "Long time no see. I'm good, man." He chuckled softly. "I know. Long time coming, right? She doing okay?"

Malcolm smiled. "She's a bit on edge, had a bit of a wardrobe issue but I mean she's fine."

"You shot me with a squirt gun you jerk." Mercedes said walking down the stairs.

Malcolm shrugged. "Not my fault you were in the line of fire. And you need to go change."

"Why do I need to change?"

"You are not going out there dressed like that! Go change!"

"Mal go check on your kids. Hey Sam I am ready when you are."

Malcolm cut his eyes at her. "I'm tellin'. Ma your daughter out here dressing like she don't got no sense. But Ma she dressed like a lady of the night!"

Sam gave Malcolm a playful punch in the arm, laughing as he walked away. Turning to Mercedes, he leaned in and kissed her softly. "Don't listen to him. You look absolutely beautiful."

Mercedes accepted Sam's kiss and smiled. "Wait til she tells him she picked out my dress. You ready to go?"

"Ha!" Sam laughed, nodding at her question. "Absolutely." He offered her his arm so they could walk out to his truck together. "How was your day? Minus that water gun incident?"

"It was good, better now that I get to see you, how was your day? And June? She was not too thrilled I left this morning."

"Cause she likes having you around," Sam told her with a smile. "She's good though. She went to school, did her brilliant little thing. My day was the usual."

Mercedes nodded. "I like being around her, she is really amazing." Mercedes sat back and placed her seatbelt on. "So where are we going?"

"Tony's," Sam told her as he started the drive. "You can be Lady and I'll be the Tramp."

Mercedes smirked shaking her head. Tony's was about as romantic as one could get in their town it was quiet and intimate which she was happy about. As they pulled into the restaurant she waited for Sam to open the door.

Sam helped her from the truck and kept her hand in his. Everything had felt so comfortable the last few week's and he'd been so happy. But he knew the more time that passed, the harder it would be for them to keep putting off important conversations. The hostess led them to their booth and he sat across from Mercedes with a smile.

Grabbing her menu she smiled at the waitress, as she ordered Lemonade and water. Looking over the menu she chewed her bottom lip debating on what she wanted to eat. "So what looks good to you?"

"Well, if we're gonna Lady and the Tramp it up, somebody's gotta order spaghetti," Sam teased. "I'm happy to take the bullet on that one if you'd like."

"How about we both take that bullet and just order one big plate. I mean if we are gonna do it we gotta do it right." She eyed him eyes sparkling, this was classic them and yet the element of romance felt so natural.

Sam held an open hand out and accepted a high five from her before closing his menu. "Have I mentioned you're a genius?" He leaned forward on the table and smiled at her. "It was good to see Mal back home."

Mercedes high fived him and shrugged. "Not lately I am glad you haven't forgotten." She shook her head sighing. "That jerk, he squirted me on purpose, then it backfired cause I look hotter now then I did before." She smiled. "But its good to have him back. Marcus is here too they wanted to be here for tomorrow. We find out if mom is in remission or not."

Sam couldn't help but laugh. Mercedes' relationship with her brothers was much like he had with his own siblings. "Well, I'll have to thank him then because you are taking my breath away tonight." He nodded in understanding. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Mercedes reached over and took his hand in hers. "When you look at me like that...its almost primal." She confessed. Nodding she chewed her bottom lip. "I would like that. I know its going to be a good outcome but I would still like you to be there."

Sam's smile spread at her confession. The more time that passed, the more he wanted her. Hell, he'd wanted her for years. "Then I'll be there. Junie has preschool and Jake can handle the shop. Perks for being the boss."

"I am lucky to have you Sam. I really am." The waitress came back with their drinks and breadsticks then took their order. Ordering a big plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs, she took a sip of her drink.

Reaching across the table, Sam took her hand and brought it to his lips. "I'm lucky to have you back and being part of my life," he told her sincerely.

Mercedes smiled happily. "I guess we are both very lucky then huh?"

Sam nodded slowly. "So... if you get good news tomorrow, which I'm sure you will... does that mean you'll be going back soon?"

Mercedes frowned. She didn't want to think about leaving but she knew she had too. "That was the plan, to go back once she was in remission..."

Sam chewed at his bottom lip as his thumb ran across her skin. He took a deep breath and met Mercedes' eyes with his own. "I want you," he whispered. "I want to be with you. I don't wanna lose you again."

Her eyes met his at his words, her whole body tingling at the thought of him wanting her. Her mouth went dry as she searched his eyes for any doubt, she had to be sure had to know that this wasn't just him wanting to replace Kat. "Sam you were in love, married. How can I know that you just don't want to be alone and I am familiar?"

Sam's eyes narrowed slightly and he frowned, looking down for a moment. "You think I would do that to you?" he asked, shaking his head slightly. "That I would take this lightly?"

She shook her head. "No and that is what scares me. Sam, you got married and you loved Kat. So what does that make me?"

"It makes you Mercedes. Another woman that I love," Sam insisted. "You think I can't love more than one person in my lifetime?"

"I think that its rare to get two soulmates Sam. You were always mine. But me, you replaced me." She said sadly, finally being honest about her feelings.

Sam was ready to refute her until she called his wife a replacement. He let go of her hand and sat back in the booth, taking a few deep breaths.

He let go of her hand and she sighed. "Sam you found the love of your life. You were happily in love with the one person who was made for you. How can I compete with that?"

Sam scoffed slightly. "You know... after Kat died, everyone kept telling me how I was supposed to feel. How I was supposed to grieve. I never really thought you would though."

"I am not telling you how to grieve Sam. I am telling you how I feel. I didn't even know you were married, and yes that was my fault. I missed out on ten years of your life, so I don't know how you guys were, I don't know about your love and we don't really talk about it..." She threw her hands up. He didn't get what she was saying and she wasn't saying it right.

"No, you're telling me how I feel," Sam insisted. "That I chose Kat because she was better than you or something. And that's crap. Our lives took the paths they did and there's nothing we can do about that. But to just ignore how we feel because of it? That's bull. Soulmates? Screw that. It's made up for the movies. I'm sorry that I met someone else and you didn't, but it's the past. This is now."

Mercedes frowned. She looked down to her hands and closed her eyes, this is why she ran, everything else was too hard. "Sam I love you. I never stopped and these last few weeks have made me fall deeper in love with you." She looked up to him. "But the thing is I don't want to be hurt and even more I don't want to hurt you or June."

"And you think I'm gonna hurt you? Because I loved somebody else who's been out of my life for over three years?" He stared at her for a moment before taking a long sip of water. "I... never stopped loving you either."

"No thats not what I am saying." She sighed but stopped at his words. "What?" she asked softly.

Sam looked up again. "I never stopped loving you either. I loved Kat, but I never stopped loving you. She knew that."

Mercedes slowly let her eyes meet his, she stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking. "You told her you loved me?"

"I told her everything. She was my wife," Sam answered with a shrug. He smiled fondly. "She figured it out pretty quickly anyway."

Mercedes nodded then looked down at her hands. "Why do you say that?"

"That she figured it out. She was smart. And I talked about you... all the damn time," Sam admitted. "Kat was always a free thinker though. Thought about love differently than a lotta people do."

Mercedes thought long and hard about her words, she wanted to get them out right. How was she a lawyer but Sam made her nervous. Their food arrived and she waited for the waitress to leave before she spoke up again. "You really think I would make a good stepmother to June? Because if you want me, want this, thats what I would be."

"Gee, I didn't think of that," Sam teased. "Of course. I think you'd be an amazing mother figure for her." He didn't care for the word stepmother. It made him think of Cinderella. He twirled his fork around in the pasta as he thought. "There's something I wanna tell you and... I hope it'll help with how you're feeling."

Mercedes grabbed her fork but stopped at Sam's words. She didn't know what he thought would help but she was open to hearing things. "Okay..."

Sam paused again and considered how to word this. "The day Junie was born, Kat... I think she knew," he admitted quietly. "And before she went in to surgery, she told me she needed to tell me something in case she didn't come out, which I refused to even think about at the time."

Mercedes didn't say anything, she just twirled her fork around listened to him. This was something he had to get out, something he had to say and she had to let him.

Sam took in a breath. "She told me that she knew I would be a great father," he remembered with a soft smile. "And that I would do everything to care of June. But what I really needed to do was take care of myself." He laughed slightly, shaking his head. "She knew me too well. And I was just crying and shaking my head at her. And she took my face in her hands and she said, 'If I don't come back... I want you to find her. And I want you to be happy.'"

She listened to him, letting him say what he needed to say, letting him tell her what Kat's last wish was. Tears fell down her cheeks and she wiped them as he spoke. She placed her fork down and moved in the booth so she was seated next to Sam. She took his hand and laid her head on his shoulder. "I was having a hard time because I felt like, like it was wrong to be happy with you, when you lost her."

Sam turned his head and pressed his lips to the top of hers. "Kat loved me. And you know... I think she loved you too," he realized with a chuckle. "I don't regret a moment I spent with her. She taught me a lot and she gave my little girl. But I honestly believe she'd be our biggest supporter. And that's including our moms."

It was in that moment she truly believed that. Believed that Sam was right and maybe Kat knew all of this. She turned her head back to Sam. "I don't want to lose you Sam. I want you I need you I want to be a family with you and June." She hesitated for a moment. "But I also have to go back to L.A. I can't just quit."

Sam nodded gently in understanding. "I wouldn't ask you to," he whispered, leaning over to press a soft kiss to her lips. "I have a lot to sit down and figure out, but I just... I needed to know where you were in all this before I did that."

She shook her head, "No you don't Sam." She leaned in closer to him. "We, we have alot to sit down and figure out. I love my job Sam but when it comes down to it, I can work anywhere. And considering I have done nothing but work for the last ten years I can afford to not work for a while. I do have to go back but I am not leaving you or June. I love you way too much for that."

He smiled gently, squeezing her hand. "Yes. We do," he agreed. "And I mean, so can I. People have cars all over this country. If you can stay awhile longer than we can work together to make some plans for the long term."

"I don't want to pull June from your family. Just because we finally have a chance to be together doesn't mean she should lose anymore people Sam."

Sam finally let himself eat some since he was getting pretty hungry. He shook his head at that though. "Not being in the same place doesn't mean she would lose them," he insisted. "Besides, do you have another solution?"

Mercedes sighed. "I know but she won't see them everyday like she does now. And you will lose the Garage it doesn't make sense for you to come to L.A." She reached to where she was sitting before and grabbed her fork. "I want to do something that would work for all of us. Because I don't plan on losing you again." She took bite and sighed just enjoying the food for a moment.

"The garage is just a garage," Sam insisted. "It's not like it was my life's dream. It's just... what happened. You, you're saving people's lives and making a difference just like you always wanted to. And I can't let you just walk away from that."

Mercedes stopped eating and turned her body towards him as much as she could in that booth. "And you would take June and move her to L.A. with me?"

"Honestly, if it's gonna happen, now would be the time," Sam reasoned. "She's not in regular school yet. She's still young enough to adjust fairly easily. I think it could work for us. If it was something you really wanted."

Mercedes smiled softly. "Sam, I think the real question is, is this what you want? I wouldn't be giving anything up and would be gaining the world."

"I want you," Sam answered simply and honestly. "I've wanted you for so damn long. I want to wake up to you every morning, to have breakfast with my family. That's all I want and all I need."

"Sam I..." She chewed her bottom lip, everything she ever wanted was staring back at her. "I love you Sam, I want that too. I want it all." She wiped her eyes. "I want you to move with me Sam, I don't want to go to L.A without you and June."

Sam lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her closer. He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Then we figure out how to make it happen," he told her. "And the way I figure it, it's about time life threw me a curveball I actually wanted to catch."

Mercedes nodded. "Okay I will call the office get a few more days off and we can start looking for houses. I have a three bedroom pent house but considering one room is dedicated to my hair and clothes and we are bringing a 3 year old with us I think June deserves a house with a yard. " She toyed her fork around and chewed her bottom lip. "Sam, I dont want to just move you guys to L.A., I mean it when I say I want it all. I want us to be everything."

Sam's eyebrows raised slightly and he laughed. "You have a room just for hair and clothes?" He shouldn't have been surprised, but it still amused him all the same. "We will be, Cedes."

"I mean I do, nothing wrong with that." She glanced at him, feeling hopeful, happy. "I hope so Sam. I really do." She leaned kissing him softly. "I do truly love you."

Sam just smiled at her and nodded. "If you say so. But you will have to make room for some toys," he pointed out. He rested his forehead against hers after they kissed. "I love you too."

Mercedes smiled. "I will make room for anything either of you need." She rested her head against his as well. "How long will your mom have June for?"

"She takes up a lot more space than I do for such a tiny person," Sam laughed. He smiled slowly. "She's staying the night."

Mercedes laughed. "Then we really need to start house hunting." Mercedes smiled staring at him. "Maybe we should get this all to go..." she said sheepishly .

The smile snuck up on Sam's face as his eyes went from Mercedes' lips and back up to her eyes again. "We could do that," he agreed quietly.

She nodded waving down the waitress. "Hi, can we get a to go box please." The waitress nodded and Mercedes turned towards Sam. "But I mean before we leave..." She picked up a long piece of Spaghetti and placed one side between her lips holding the other for Sam to take.

Sam's smile widened even further and he opened his mouth, tilting his head back so he could take the noodle. Pulling it between his lips, he moved closer and closer to her until their lips met.

It was such a simple action, kissing him, goofing with him, but it still filled her with so much love every time their lips touched. She pulled away resting her head against his. "That was pretty hot."

Sam shrugged innocently, the smirk still on his face. "You should see what I can do in private."

The waitress returned and Mercedes boxed up their food. "Then we should get home, cause I need to see this..."

Sam left money for the bill and gave her a quick nod. His heart was beating fast in his chest, his breath a little short, but it all felt incredible. Taking her hand, he led Mercedes back out to the truck so they could drive back to his place.

tbc...