Mercedes had woken up early so that she could make breakfast for everyone. She asked Brax if he could stay and offered him her other guest room. It was across from Joey, but Joey didn't seem to mind. She and Sam spend the night snuggled in each other's arms, and she woke up so happy, even if it was short-lived. She knew Brax wanted to make dinner, so the least she could do was breakfast.

Joey hadn't slept this good in such a long time. He felt safe and cared for; it was such an odd feeling; even when he was free, he didn't feel that way.

Sam didn't wake when Mercedes did. Instead, he shifted a bit at the smell of the bacon.

Brax was up before Mercedes, sitting at the table on his laptop. "Morning."

Joey took his time getting out of bed; he let himself take his time for the first time in his life.

Mercedes had cooked the bacon and was now working on the eggs as she looked up to Brax. "So, what has you up burning the midnight oil?"

"Work stuff.". He looked up from his computer. But, damn, Mercedes looked beautiful with the morning light hitting her skin just right.

"Anything you need some help with?" She asked, looking at him. "And do you want French Toast or pancakes?"

He shook his head. "I'm good. And the answer is always french toast. with a bit of vanilla in the egg mix."

"Excuse you I am no armature." She said, laughing. "Plus, you need a touch of cinnamon and sugar. It takes it to a whole new level." Finally, she began working and stopped. "I know I don't say it often, but I am happy you are in my life Brax."

He laughed and then looked back up at her. "I'm thankful for you too."

"I am thankful for how you helped yesterday too. Joey has really taken to you."

He smiled sadly. "I know I shouldn't, but I feel so bad for him. Like he doesn't deserve the life he was handed."

"There is nothing wrong with feeling bad for the hand he was dealt. That just means you are a really great person."

He bit his lip. "I have this... urge to just take care of him."

Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "And that is how I felt about Sam; I just wanted to take care of him."

He smiled at her. "He's just... so... I don't even know."

"innocent." she breathed.

"Yeah," he whispered. "I want to protect him from the world."

"The fact that he isn't stuttering means that maybe he needs that from you."

"I noticed that but just thought..."

Mercedes glanced at him. "Thought what?"

"I don't know."

"Talk to me, Brax." She said, moving the biscuits from the oven.

"I don't know. I feel drawn and connected to him."

"What's wrong with that?"

"I dunno. I haven't felt that for a long time.x

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It's a scary thing."

She laughed. "I know, the future isn't written, and who is to say that this isn't where your life begins, you know?"

He shrugged. "Life is odd."

She sighed, "I was taken against my will to a club where I found my childhood best friend, and now I am here trying to save him and his best friend...yeah, it is."

He managed a sad laugh. "I need to protect him."

She sighed. "I know."

He bit his lip. "I haven't felt like that in a very long time."

"I wish I had advice for you, but I am in this just as deep as you."

He bit his lip. "I haven't felt this since I had my brother.*

She took the food off the stove and moved over to him. "It's overwhelming, right?"

"Yeah," he murmured. "That's a good word."

She patted his arm then laid on his shoulder. "The way I see it is we both needed something or someone in our life to make us feel needed again, and now we do."

He looked over at her. "Yeah," he exhaled sadly.

"Well, how about we try to stay positive today? We can be stressed out tomorrow."

He nodded quietly. "Okay."

"Are you going to wanna come outside later to swim?"

"Only if it's okay with you and Sam. I could always do something with Joey."

She smiled. "And what would you do with Joey? You know I am sure he would love to watch a movie or something if you don't wanna swim."

"Whatever he's comfortable with. I just wanna see him smile."

"Awww, look at you being a softie." She teased.

He chuckled. "I can be if someone brings it out."

She shook her head. "What did we get ourselves into over here?"

"I wish I knew."

"Well, let's start with breakfast, and then we can take it from there."

He nodded. "Good idea."

She smiled standing and started plating everything,

Joey had finally decided to get out of bed; the smell of breakfast was a lot. He made his way in the room wearing the pajama Mercedes had given him and gave a shy smile. "Hi," he said softly.

Brax helped. He couldn't help but grin when he saw Joey. "Hi."

Mercedes glanced at the two and smiled. "I am going to go wake Sam up, Joey can you help Brax set the table?"

Joey nodded. "Sure."

Mercedes left the room, and Brax helped Joey. "Sleep well?"

Joey nodded. "Better than I ever had. Did you?"

He nodded with a smile. "That's good. That's great, actually."

Joey put the plates on the table. "I don't want to go..."

Brax frowned. "You'll be free soon."

Joey nodded sadly. "I hope so."

Brax reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, then hesitated and pulled back. "I'll get you out, okay?"

When Brax put his hand on his shoulder, Joey should have freaked, but he didn't. Instead, he looked at Brax and sighed. "I really want this. I want to be free to not be forced...I just really want something good to happen to me."

That broke Braxton's heart as he squeezed his shoulder gently. "We got this..."

"What is this?" He asked pointed at the french toast.

"French toast," Braxton explained. "You've... never had French toast?"

"What's french toast?" He shook his head. "Before...before the Elite, I told you my mom sold me, so I was on the street all my life."

Braxton wanted to hug him. "It's bread, dipped in an egg wash and fried." He bit his lip. "I won't let that happen to you again."

"Brax, if this doesn't work out and Mercedes can't do what she says, can you make sure she knows this isn't her fault?"

Braxton stared at him for a moment. "Of course," he finally replied. "But I will get you out of there."

Joey nodded. "Okay...tell me more about this french toast."

Brax managed a smile and started trying to explain it to him. "Mercy puts in some cinnamon and vanilla and some other stuff, and it tastes really good... I might have already stolen a piece."

Joey smiled. "Can we...we do that? Steal a piece?"

"Yeah. She won't even notice," Brax smiled.

Joey smiled, moving to the counter. "Did she really warm up the syrup? People do that?"

Brax laughed and nodded... "She's damn near perfect."

Joey looked over at him. "You know a person can love two people, right?"

Brax stared at him for a moment. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"I have seen her look at you, she loves you, and yes, she loves Sam, but I have to believe she isn't the kind of person who doesn't have enough love for everyone." HE didn't really know what he was saying, but he hoped it helped.

Brax offered him a small smile. "I won't get between her and Sam. I can't compete with him anyways."

Joey shook his head as he dipped a piece of french toast in the syrup. "All I am saying is that things are complicated right now. Sadly." He took a bite and groaned. "Oh my God, this is amazing."

Braxton smiled at his reaction. "Isn't it, though?"

"I never knew food could taste this good." He said, going again to take another bite.

"Just wait," Brax smiled.

"Just wait, one what?" He asked curiously.

"Just wait for dinner."

"What are you making?" Joey asked.

"It's a surprise." Brax smiled.

"Well, then I am excited." Joey looked over to Brax. "Mercedes isn't like any of the Domme's I have met, but you aren't like any of the Dom's either."

He shook his head. "I'm not a Dom, Joey. I'm just a normal guy."

Joey nodded. "I know; I am just saying it's a good thing."

He smiled. "I'm glad I'm not like the assholes you've met."

"Me too." He said, taking another bite.

That made Brax smile.

Mercedes moved towards the bedroom and smiled, seeing Sam lying in bed. She moved to the bed and kissed Sam softly on the forehead. "Sam, are you hungry?"

Sam opened his eyes and looked at her. "Yeah. Happy Birthday."

Mercedes smiled; why did one look make her heart flutter? "Thanks, Sam. You remember my last birthday with you? When I turned ten, you convinced me to stay the night so you could wake me up on my birthday?"

Sam laughed. "I do remember that. I can't believe mom and dad agreed to that."

Mercedes laid next to him. "My dad was out of town, and I was with the nanny; your parents pitied me."

Sam draped a lazy arm over her. "My parents loved you."

She laid against him. "Yeah, I loved them just the same."

Sam took a deep breath. "You're family."

She smiled, leaned up, and kissed him. "I'm lucky that way."

Sam smiled into the kiss. "Mmhmm..."

Mercedes leaned in, kissing him deeper.

Sam hummed happily into the kiss.

Mercedes ran her hands through his hair, moving closer to him; she wanted to spend her whole life kissing this man.

Sam Lets the kiss break naturally, still holding her close. "We should probably go."

Mercedes nodded. "Yeah, I was getting carried away, sorry."

Sam didn't move. "Your bed is comfy. You're comfy too."

Mercedes laughed. "I know; I never liked this bed until you were in it."

Sam stared at her. "Really?"

She nodded, staring back at him. "Really."

He nuzzled into the pillow. "I'm a pretty bed decoration."

"No, you aren't a decoration; you are my everything." She let it slip before she could stop it.

Sam sat up a bit to get a better look at her. He was just joking with her. "You're my everything too, love.

She leaned in and kissed him softly. "Best birthday ever."

Sam smiled. "Good."

She sighed. "So let's go. I made breakfast. I don't want it to get cold."

Sam groaned playfully for a moment before getting up.

Mercedes smiled as Sam got up; she moved to him, linking her hands with his, giving him a soft kiss, and then hugged him tightly. She didn't let go right away; she just held him at that moment.

Sam relaxed under her touch. But, unfortunately, she wouldn't always be able to help him relax. "I love you."

She smiled up to him, "You do, huh?"

Sam hugged her in return. "I really really do."

"Good because I love you too." She said softly.

Sam smiled and kissed her softly.

Mercedes kissed him back and beamed. "You did it again."

"You bring it out of me."

Mercedes laughed. "You are getting all sappy on me, and it's making me blush."

Sam smiled at her.

"Okay, let's go because if you keep looking at me, we are going to miss breakfast altogether."

Sam laughed. "Yes. okay."

She took his head and led him out the door.

Sam followed.

Mercedes walked out and smiled. "Well, looky here, I see some guys got really hungry and couldn't hold out."

Joey eyed her, slightly nervous. "Sorry."

She shook her head. "No worries, I wouldn't have been able to hold back either." She said, grabbing a piece of bacon and popping it in her mouth.

Brax laughed. "Well, it was starting to get cold."

Sam smiled and squeezed Joey's shoulder. "It's okay."

Mercedes brought the bacon over to the table. "Is everyone good with Orange Juice?"

Joey nodded, grabbing the french toast. "Yes, please."

Sam nodded, then chuckled as Joey immediately went for the french toast.

Brax smiled. "Of course.*

Mercedes started handing out the drinks and smiled. "I don't know why but seeing this, having you three here with me right now, it feels right. Like we were all supposed to be here."

Sam smiled at her. "I feel it too."

Joey nodded. "Feels like home." And he meant that.

Mercedes bit her bottom lip. "Let's eat."

That warmed Sam's heart, and he got up and wrapped Joey in a tight hug.

Brax looked over at Mercedes.

Joey hugged Sam back. "You have to try these things called French Toast; they taste amazing."

Mercedes laughed. "I do alright I'm not a big chef or anything. "

Sam laughed and looked over at Mercedes. "She's the best, isn't she?"

Joey nodded with a mouthful of French toast.

Mercedes blushed, shaking her head.

Sam smiled. "You're outnumbered, Merce."

She laughed at that. "So unfair."

Brax laughed. "He has a point." He looked over to Joey.

Sam smiled. "Slow down, Joey..."

Joey glanced up, his mouth stuffed. "I'm sorry, but the bacon is crispy!"

Sam laughed. "It's okay; I don't want you getting sick, is all." But then, he noticed that his stutter was gone, which made him so very happy.

Joey nodded, slowing down. "When we are free, can we eat like this every day?"

Mercedes smiled. "Sam's mom makes the best waffles."

Sam hesitated for a moment before nodding. "And my mom already loves you," he smiled.

Joey smiled. "She seemed really nice."

Mercedes looked at Brax. Don't worry; she will love you too."

Sam nodded. "My mom has the biggest heart."

"She does." Mercedes nodded, taking a sip of her drink.

Sam dug into his food, keeping an eye between Joey and Mercedes.

Brax shifted a bit in his seat; he felt like he didn't belong here.

Mercedes glanced at Brax and smiled, reaching over to him. "You okay."

Brax nodded. "Yeah. Just thinking."

She nodded. "Okay, about what?"

"It's not important right now," he replied, almost dismissively.

She frowned. "Talk to me."

"Not right now." He wasn't going to talk about his feelings in front of Joey and Sam.

She nodded. "Well then, let's talk about what you are making for my birthday dinner. But, first, we should all dress up."

Sam didn't have anything to dress up in, and he was certain Joey didn't either.

Brax beamed. "Well, it's a surprise."

Joey frowned. "I don't; I don't have clothes."

Mercedes smiled. "No, but you will."

Sam squeezed Joey's hand and smiled at him.

Mercedes looked at Brax. "And as for you, I do not like surprises when it's about me." She laughed

"Well, that's too bad," he smirked. "I think you'll like the surprise."

She sighed. "Fine, then help me order clothes for the guys."

"I might have something that could fit Sam."

Joey, on the other hand, was smaller than anyone he knew.

Mercedes nodded. "Actually, I think I have a suit for him. I just have to make a call."

Joey smiled. "Really?"

Sam grinned. This was going better than anticipated.