Sam glanced at the email Kurt had sent him; he said his date would be wearing a Navy blue dress with pink flowers and glasses. As he walked into the restaurant, he glanced around and froze when he saw Marley sitting at the bar. Then, as he walked over to her, he noticed what she was wearing.

"So you're the Marley I am supposed to be meeting?"

"Seems I am." She replied, smiling at Sam. "Before we do the formal thing, wanna get out of here? This place is a little stuffy for my taste." She asked.

Sam stepped back. "If I am being honest, I kinda wanna know how long you knew I was me? Because I am shocked to see you, but you aren't shocked to see me?"

"I found out a few days ago but didn't want you to think I was some creep…." She admitted blushing.

"I wouldn't have thought that; I mean, I am shocked, but I am pleasantly happy too." He said, giving her a soft smile.

"Yeah? I'm happy we're finally able to hang out… I thought I was going to have to wait until after Thanksgiving." She teased.

Sam smiled, reaching out to take her hand. "Well, I think you said something about getting out of here...does that mean I can lose the tie?"

"Only if I can take these heels off." She counted with a bright smile.

Sam laughed, "I am sure we can make that happen."

"I think this is going to be a great night." She said with a soft giggle as they walked out of the fancy restaurant.

Linking his fingers with hers, he walked her towards his car. "Did you drive?"

"I took a cab."

"Perfect." He said, opening the door for her. "I have the perfect place to go."

Sam got into the driver's side and smiled, driving down the street. After 20 minutes and a comfortable conversation, he parked and helped her out of the car. "Welcome to the Rink...if you don't know how to Ice Skate, I am an excellent teacher."

"I won't lie and say I can't… but I wouldn't be opposed to a few lessons," Marley replied, clearly flirting with him.

"Don't worry, I plan on keeping you close," Sam said, taking her hand and leading her towards the outdoor rink. As they rented a pair of skates and bought two pairs of scarves and hats, he led her to the ice.

"Okay, so tell me something I don't know about you?" Sam said, looking her way.

"I was very poor growing up and was only able to afford schooling because of a singing scholarship." She answered.

"Seems like we have that in common; it was hard growing up, but my parents put my siblings and me through school, and we were able to pay them back and make great names for ourselves...so if you got a singing scholarship, does that mean you can sing?"

"I don't like to boast... " Marley said.

"No, please boast...if you play your cards right, you might even get complimented by me." He teased.

"Mhm, okay, but you have to promise not to laugh." She replied, thinking of a song to sing.

"I would never laugh at you." He said, smiling as he pulled her closer to him, spinning her around him.

Marley took a deep breath looking up at Sam smiling. "Santa, tell me if you're really there. Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here next year…."

Sam listened to Marley sing, and as he heard the words, his mind went to Mercedes. Shaking it off, he smiled at Marley. "Keep going; you are amazing."

Marley blushed before continuing. "Santa, tell me if he really cares, 'cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here next year." She sang, starting to get into the song.

"Feeling Christmas all around, and I'm trying to play it cool, but it's hard to focus when I see him walking around the room. "Let it Snow" is blasting out, but I won't get in the mood," She sang, skating around him, smiling and winking at him.

Sam needed to keep his mind on Marley, so he pulled her closer and skated with her. "Keep going." He encouraged as he led her around the rink.

"I'm avoiding every mistletoe until I know it's true love that he thinks of. So next Christmas, I'm not all alone, boy." She sang, moving in closer to him and biting her lip.

Sam stared at her and knew she wanted him to kiss her and wasn't sure if he should but decided to just go with it and leaned in to kiss her as she finished the song.

Marley smiled into the kiss before returning it right before they both lost their footing and fell down.

Sam laughed as he fell on his butt. "That kiss was so good it knocked the balance out of us."

"Seems it did," Marley said, laughing along with him before leaning over and kissing him again.

"Wanna get some hot cocoa?" He asked, helping her up.

Marley looked at him, slightly disappointed but let him help her up. "Cocoa sounds really good."

They started skating back when Sam stopped as another skater passed them; he questioned if he was seeing things and looked back, not seeing them again.

"Everything okay?" Marley asked.

"Yea… just thought I saw someone." He answered, shooting her a warm smile and leading them to the entrance so they could put their shoes back on and grab the cocoa but not before looking over his shoulder one more time.

Penny quickly ducked behind a couple fuming. None of Sam's dates ever ended in a kiss, so him kissing this Marley character was not good. She quickly sent Mercedes a text to move her date up to asap. It was time to end this once and for all.

Marley skated around Sam. "This has been the best first date I have ever been on...kinda feels like fate…."

Sam smiled. "Even I gotta admit it is a great coincidence that we met in the store, and then we were matched."

Marley skated closer to Sam and kissed him softly. "I think I want Mercedes to take me off her match list. After this date, I really want to see where we could go?"

Sam hesitated for a moment as he stared at Marley and cleared his throat with a nod. "I think I would like that too."

Mercedes needed to clear her mind. So much had gone wrong, and yet the one right thing. That felt right was being near Sam and Izzy. Taking care of them made Mercedes realize how much she needed to tell him how she felt. But she wanted to wait until he was better before she confessed her feelings to him.

Stepping onto the skating rink, she moved, getting her rhythm before slowing down as she saw Sam standing at the edge of the rink.

"This has got to be a sign." She said to herself. "Just go up to him and tell him how you feel." She encouraged herself. Skating over to Sam, she smiled. "Sam, hey!"

Sam turned to see Mercedes, his breath catching as he took her in. 'No,' he said internally; he promised himself he would move on, and there was to going back. "Mercedes, what are you doing here?"

"I umm came here to clear my mind. And then I saw you. Where is Izzy? Is she here?"

"Oh no, she's with Quinn and Mike." He said, looking around.

"Oh, okay."

"Don't you know why I am he-"

"Sam, I have to say something before I lose my nerve. You were right. I have feelings for you, strong, scary feelings for you and for Izzy. I want so bad to let you in, be with you, be a mom to her. Grow as a family. You came out of nowhere and took my breath away. And I know I pushed you away. I know that I don't deserve it, but Sam, I love you, I am so in love with you, and I was hoping that we could-"

"Okay, I am back...I missed you." She kissed Sam and turned, shocked to see Mercedes standing there. "Mercedes, what are you doing here? This is wild, Sam, and I were just talking about you."

Mercedes stepped back, looking from Sam to Marley. "You guys are on a date…."

Marley nodded, "We are on the date. Sam and I have decided to take our names off the site...we want to try and be together."

Mercedes looked over to Sam feeling a lump form in their throat. "Really? After only one date..."

"Ah… yeah," Sam said, not entirely believing his self and trying to process Mercedes telling him she loved him.

"Even after our conversation?" She asked, looking directly at him.

"I… umm… yes." He said, immediately regretting that he said that.

Mercedes blinked before taking a second to compose herself and plastered her best smile. "Well… Looks like Miss Match Strikes again." She said, holding back her tears. "I guess I should be going, and I will let Kurt know you no longer wa-need our services."

"Mercedes…" Sam said, seeing the hurt in her eyes.

"No, it's okay; tell Izzy I will see her for the show. And you two, enjoy the rest of your date. Please don't forget to leave a review." She said, tears falling, and she quickly turned, skating off the ice.

"Fuck." Sam said, running a hand through his hair earning a look from Marley.

"Everything okay? She seemed really upset…."

"It's… She and Izzy got really close; I think it hit her that she won't really be needed around as much." Sam said not completely lying but also not telling the whole truth.

"Wow, she really is amazing! I think you should at least let them continue to see each other. Just for a few more days till she and I get close." Marley replied. "I get so attached to my students, so I understand."

"Yeah, you're right… I'll shoot her a text. Plus, she's going to be in the pageant with Izzy, so they'll get to see each other then." Sam reasoned, trying to ignore the growing ache in his chest because he knew damn well what he felt wasn't about that. He wanted to go after Mercedes… he wanted to go after the woman that stole his heart, but he would be lying if he didn't want to see where things could lead with Marley.

"So, I had a great time," Marley said, standing at the cab smiling at Sam.

"I did too… I was hoping you'd want to come to Izzy's pageant? It's a neutral setting to introduce you to her." Sam replied, smiling back at her.

"I would love to come! Should I bring her flowers?" Marley asked excitedly.

"No, she's not big on flowers." He chuckled before pulling her into a hug. "I'll text you information."

"Sounds great. Thanks again for a great date." Marley said, kissing him on the cheek before getting into the cab.

Mercedes knocked on Kurt's door, not wanting to go home to an empty house. She was given her answer, and she just wanted some time with her best friend because her heart was shattered.

"Merce? What are you doing here?" Kurt asked before Mercedes let out a sob.

"He doesn't love me…." She sobbed out, and he just pulled her inside.

"What do you mean?" Kurt asked, sitting her down on the couch.

"I told him I loved him, and he chose Marley. He doesn't need our services anymore either… he's found someone worth pursuing." She replied, placing her face into her hands and crying.

Blaine peaked his head out, shooting Kurt a concerned look. Kurt just shook his head before mouthing, "grab the wine", which Blaine did not even bothering to grab glasses.

"Are you sure he chose her?" Kurt asked carefully.

"Yep, they were at the rink, and I didn't know, so I decided to be brave and tell him, but Marley came out and kissed him after I basically bore my heart to him." Mercedes replied, sniffling at Blaine as he set the wine down before sitting on the other side of her.

"Maybe he didn't want to hurt Marley's feelings and is headed to your place now!" Blaine suggested, and Mercedes shook her head.

"Nope, I asked if he still felt like pursuing things with her after what I said, and he said yes."

"Oh… what about Izzy?" Blaine questioned.

"After the pageant, I guess I won't be seeing her… Marley is a great choice considering she's a teacher and loves kids. There's no way in hell she won't fall in love with Izzy…." Mercedes replied, getting choked up again.

"I think-" Kurt started before his phone started ringing. "Hold on, it's Penny."

"Hello?"

"Kurt, I have been very patient, but I want to be bumped up, and Mercedes isn't answering my calls!"

"Penny, I'm sorry, but that's not how our services work. Mercedes isn't on the case anymore, and as of today, Sam Evans is no longer our client. Again, we're sorry, but we're dedicated to finding you're perfect match." Kurt replied.

"What do you mean! I was promised a date with him." Penny spat.

"You were promised nothing but a chance; he found someone before we were able to set up a meeting. So now, if you'll excuse me, I'm technically off the clock." Kurt said before hanging up.

"We'll need to make sure we make it up to her," Mercedes said softly while laying her head on Blaine's shoulder.

"How about we make you something to eat and turn on a movie?" Blaine suggested earning a sigh from Mercedes.

"You know… that sounds amazing, but I think I'm just going to go home after all. I need to pack. I think it's time I took a little trip upstate." She said, standing.

"What about Izzy's Pageant?" Kurt asked.

"I'll leave after it besides; my parents will be spending it with Marcus and Kelly, and I really don't want to be the fifth wheel, so I'll have one with myself…."

"You can't spend it alone, Mercedes." Blaine objected.

"I'm tired… I'm tired of doing this and seeing all these people find love while I can't even get it! I'm tired of feeling like a fucking spinster… I want it all and can never have it, but I help other people find their happiness! So WHY CAN'T I HAVE IT?" She said, finally feeling her heart completely break.

"Oh, Merce-" Blaine said, moving towards but stopped when she shook her head.

"I did this. I pushed and pushed, and now he's gone….. He's going to go off and fall in love with Marley and Izzy gonna… forget me." She said, clutching at her chest. "That sweet girl is going to forget about me, and I can't even be upset about it because she's getting her Christmas wish, perfect mom, amazing father… a happy family. So who am I to cry over this? Who am I to hurt that my heart is broken over a man that tried to show and tell me he loved me, but I wouldn't let him? No, this is on me, and I just want to be alone." She said, standing up.

Kurt stood, taking her hand. "Merce, I have something to tell you...and I should have told you sooner, but you were determined to stay away from him."

"What, Kurt."

Kurt pulls up the file on his phone and hands it to her. "After we talked to Sam, we updated his responses and reran the numbers. He and Marley are a 90 percent match."

She nodded. "See, they are perfect for each other."

Kurt swiped over. "No, you and Sam are perfect. You literally got a perfect score. 100 percent."

Mercedes looks at the phone. "No. That is impossible. The only perfect score we ever had was when my grandmother started this thing... "

"You and Sam are perfect for each other in every way. He's your soulmate." Kurt said.

Blaine smiled. "Even Kurt and I were only 96%."

"What does it matter. He doesn't want me." She grabbed her bag. "Thank you for talking to me. I am gonna go. I'll call you after I leave."

She kissed both men on the cheek and walked out their door, and left to go home. Alone. And she knew it was all her fault. She only had herself to blame.

Mercedes grabbed a few things from her closet to put in her bag when her phone went off. Seeing a text from Izzy, she smiled.

Hey Lil one, what's up?

We are at the mall, and you promised to help me find gifts for everyone?

We?

Me, grandma, Aunt Quinn, Aunt Stacey, and Chloe.

Oh, sweetie… I don't know if I should impose.

You promised!

I know, I know… I'll be there.

Good, we are at the mall in the city, in the food court.

See you in a bit.

Mercedes sighed, grabbing her coat and making her way to the car. She knew that she should have said no, she should have walked away for good, but she really loved that little girl, and if this was all she got, she would remember it.

As she walked to the food court, Izzy saw her first and ran into her arms, smiling. "You came!"

"Of course I did. A promise is a promise." Mercedes said, smiling, though inside, her heart was tearing apart. "You know Blaine finished our dresses. Have you been practicing?"

"Yes! I am so excited; I told everyone to come!"

Mercedes laughed. "Well, I did too; everyone is gonna watch you kill it on stage.

"They're gonna watch us kill it!" Izzy corrected, and Mercedes couldn't help but laugh.

"Where's everyone else?" She asked, looking around the busy food court.

Izzy pulled her to the table, and Mary looked up. "Hey Mercedes, what brings you out today?"

"Oh, I promised to take Izzy shopping, and she told me you were all here today.." Mercedes answered, noticing the look on Mary's face hoping that she wasn't upset with her.

"Well, that's perfect! We can all go shopping together!" Mary said happily.

Mercedes nodded. "Sounds great; I just didn't want to interfere with girl time."

"Nonsense, we're actually just about to go shopping for the men," Mary replied, getting up from the table. "Shall we, ladies?"

"Aren't we supposed to be waiting on Stevie's… what is she?" Stacey asked, not wanting to assume the wrong thing.

"His apparent fiance…." Mary muttered. "We have you to thank for that, might I add." She said, looking at Mercedes.

"Me? What did I do?"

"The date that Sam couldn't go on because he was sick, well Stevie went, and now he's engaged," Mary explained.

"Wait, what? Stevie is engaged to Jane?" Mercedes tried to wrap her head around it. "I mean, she's level-headed and smart; the girl owns her own chain of hotels...I didn't think she would be so rash as to get engaged that fast, though…."

"Stevie has that effect on people." Stacey joked, earning a laugh from Quinn.

"Stevie being engaged after one date would surprise me, but I have to remember he was the impulsive one on the bunch," Quinn said, shaking her head.

"I mean, if it makes you feel better, Jane is pretty amazing," Mercedes said.

"Oh, we've met her, and she's exactly what he needs. Someone that can handle his crazy and make him reel it in." Mary said, smiling because she was happy for her son.

"That's great." She stopped looking at Izzy, who was laughing with Chloe. "Have you met Marley?"

Mary shot her a look, letting her know that was a topic that needed to wait, but it was too late. Izzy looked at Mercedes angrily before nodding and grabbing Chloe's hand, then walking off.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't know." Mercedes said, feeling like crap for upsetting Izzy.

"She isn't exactly team Marley yet… but Sam seems very taken in by her," Mary informed, watching Mercedes closely. She saw the flicker of sadness in her eyes before she put on a brave face.

"Marley and Sam were an umm high match, so it makes sense he was." She said, suddenly interested in her phone; she didn't think it would still hurt this much.

"Mhm, she's… delightful," Mary said

"Sam seems happy," Quinn said before wincing when Mary pinched her.

"He does?" She shook off her sadness. "I mean, that is amazing. I am glad everything worked out. If you can excuse me, I am suddenly feeling really thirsty." She said, trying to get away from them to regain her composure.

"Jeez, Quinn, can you be more aloof?" Stacey asked, shaking her head.

"What? He does seem happy, and he actually introduced Izzy to her, so she must be special to him already." Quinn asked, confused.

Stacey looked over to Mercedes then back to Quinn. "Mercedes is in love with Sam...and seeing him with Marley has got to be hard."

"What? No way, she's too professional to fall for her client." Quinn said, shaking her head. "Plus, we all know if Sam was in love with Mercedes, he wouldn't have let another woman meet Izzy."

"Sam is respecting the boundaries created by Mercedes," Mary said, sighing.

"Then why did she set him up with Marley?" Quinn asked, looking over her shoulder to make sure Mercedes wasn't near.

"She didn't; she gave the case to a colleague after they had an argument," Mary replied.

"Why do you know more about this than me?" Quinn asked.

"Because I pay attention. Now I am gonna see if she is okay." Mary said walked over to Mercedes. "Hey Sweetie, how are you?"

"I'm okay." She said, holding back tears.

"I can see you aren't; wanna talk about it?"

"No… I should go check on Izzy." Mercedes replied, not wanting to focus on herself.

"Mercedes, it's killing you knowing Sam is with Marley, isn't it?" She said softly.

"I'm happy for him…." She replied, getting choked up.

Mary side-eyed her. "Oh, so you are happy that when Stevie went ring shopping, he took Sam, and they both came back with rings?"

"W-what? I mean… of course, I am… it's my job to help all my clients find tr-true l-love." Mercedes said, feeling her walls tumbling down before the levy broke.

"Oh baby, he didn't get a ring. I just wanted you to stop lying to yourself," Mary said, holding her.

"What! Why would you do that? Why would you want me to feel that hurt? I'm not lying to myself; I'm protecting myself, Jesus." She turned away but stopped. "I told him that I loved him, and he still chose her. So there is no lying to myself; there's me trying to put my heart back together because I was too late." Mercedes said before storming away.

Mary felt horrible for doing that to Mercedes, especially now since she revealed that she told him she loved her.

"What happened?" Stacey asked after seeing Mercedes storm off in tears.

"I'm afraid I might've gone too far this time…" Mary admitted sighing, "Let's go find Izzy and Chloe." She said right as her phone buzzed.

Don't know why but I had a feeling I needed to say I told you so.

Mary rolled her eyes when she saw the message from Dwight. "Damn Evans men, so damn cocky."

Mercedes smiled as she and Izzy were picking out teddy bears at Build-A-Bear. "A purple princess bear, I love it," Mercedes said.

"Mercy?"

"Yeah, what's up, buttercup?"

"Am I supposed to like Marley? Dad wants me to give her a chance, but… I don't know how." Izzy asked.

Mercedes sighed, bending down. "Izzy, we should always give people chances. And Marley is a really nice person."

"But, she's not you. I know what's happening, but everyone keeps sugarcoating it. Daddy likes her, but he loves you, and you love him, but he's with Marley." Izzy said, huffing.

Mercedes sighed. "Izzy, I am gonna be straight with you. I do love him, and I love you, and I would do anything to make you both happy, and right now, what would make your dad happy is being with Marley, so since we both love your dad, we just have to try and be nice to her."

"That doesn't seem fair to you, though. How can you love him and me but let her be with him?" Izzy asked.

"Because forcing people to do something isn't fair. And you could love her too." Mercedes said as her heart was breaking. She wiped a stray tear. "You know she's a teacher, and she can sing..and play the piano, she's talented. So you can learn something from her."

"But you can sing, and you can play the piano too. You also know how to make me feel better when I'm sick, and you know how to make daddy smile." Izzy said tearfully. "I don't want to love her; I don't want daddy to love her because you're my mommy, Mercedes."

Mercedes pulled her into her arms and held Izzy close. "I wish I was Izzy; I really wish I was because you are such an amazing little girl."

"Then make daddy choose you." Izzy sobbed out. "I know you can do it!"

"It's not that easy sweet girl, but I promise to always be here for you, okay?" Mercedes replied, knowing that would never be enough, but it had to be because Sam had chosen, and she would respect his decision. If it was anyone else, she would have been angry, but she knew Marley would love them both deeply.

Izzy pulled away from her and sighed. "Then I guess you don't love me after all. I want to go home…." Izzy said sadly, and Mercedes had to look away so she wouldn't see her crying.

"We'll go find your grandmother…."

"No, it's okay. I know where she is… I'll just see you at the pageant."

"Izzy, you are 8. I am not letting you walk around the mall by yourself. Now you are upset. I get that, but I am not leaving you until we find your family. Now come on."

"My grandma is right there; thank you, Ms. Matchmaker," Izzy said before walking over to where Mary was waiting.

Mercedes sighed, holding onto the bear she and Izzy made. She needed to get her mind off of Sam; this was just too much.

Well, now that was a lot to unpack. Sam and Marley, Mercedes confessing, the Izzy of it all...seems like things are coming to a head and soon. Until next time