Izzy was very excited for everyone to see her and Mercedes' performance; they had rehearsed and made sure that everything was perfect. She loved the dresses Blaine made for them and was currently waiting for Mercedes to show up to do her hair like they'd talked about.
"Hey, kiddo, are you excited?" Sam asked, walking into Izzy's room smiling, seeing how excited she was.
"I am! Is Mercy here yet? She's going to do my hair." Izzy asked, and Sam sighed because he wasn't remotely sure she would even show up.
"She's not here yet, but I'm sure she's on her way… are you going to finally tell me what you two are performing?" He asked, trying to take a peek at her dress, but she popped his hand.
"Hey! No peeking, and nope, it's a surprise!" She replied, narrowing her eyes at him playfully. "Mercedes looks really pretty in the dress, you know?"
"I bet you do too." Sam said, not wanting to get into a deep conversation about Mercedes, especially since he was about to tell her that Marley would be going with them.
"I do!" She agreed.
"Hey, kiddo, I just wanted to tell you that Marley would be coming with us tonight."
Izzy frowns, looking at Sam. "Why?"
Before Sam could answer, there was a knock on the door, and Marley walked in beaming at Izzy. "Oh, Isabella, I wanted to wish you luck! Are you excited?"
Izzy ignored Marley and Sam frowned. "Izzy?"
"Yes, I am excited for Mercedes to be my mom and sing with me on stage."
Marley bent down. "Well, maybe next year you and I can do it."
Izzy looked at Sam sadly as if to ask if he expected Marley to be around that long when Mercedes walked into the room, with Kurt and Blaine, holding her dress bag and shoes. Her hair was in a wrap, and she took a breath, trying to gain strength to keep walking.
Izzy runs to Mercedes and hugs her. "You made it! I thought you changed your mind…."
Mercedes forced her gaze to leave Sam's, watching Marley stand by his side, wrapping herself up in him, as Mercedes bent down and hugged Izzy. "Never. Nothing would have kept me from being here, Izzy. Nothing. Now let's get your hair done so you can get dressed, and we can show everyone how amazing we are."
Blaine smiled. "I dropped off Quinn and Chloe their dresses, so I am here to help you ladies all you need."
Mercedes stood looking at Sam and Marley and turned away, noticing Kurt cleared his throat. "Sam, you and Marley should go find your seats. The show should be starting soon."
Sam nodded. "Yeah, we should. Good luck." He said, kissing Izzy on the forehead and walking out of the room.
"Okay, let's get you ready," Mercedes said, hoping her voice sounded more excited than she felt.
"Are you going to do my hair like yours?" Izzy asked, smiling up at her.
"Yes, we are going to do it almost identical to mine, sweetie." She said.
"Yay! I can't wait for everyone to see our routine!" Izzy said, sitting down in the chair so Mercedes could start on her hair while Blaine began steaming their dresses. Kurt quietly excused himself to go speak with Sam.
Kurt quickly caught up to Sam, grabbing his arm. "Marley, do you mind if I borrow him for a second?" Kurt asked with a warm smile.
"Sure, I'll go find us some seats," Marley said before kissing Sam then walking away.
Sam turned towards Kurt. "Hey man, if this is about my review, Don't worry with the way things are with Marley and me; we will both be giving you rave reviews."
"It's not about that… it's about this." Kurt said, showing Sam his and Marley's test results. "You and Marley are a 90% match see, this is with all the information Mercedes gathered and the information given from your family."
Sam nodded. "I know, Mercedes told me the percentage is my highest match score, and it was right."
"No, it wasn't your highest," Kurt informed before swiping to his and Mercedes test results. "This is your highest and our highest since Mercedes' grandmother did the same test."
Sam looked at the paper and shook his head. "This is a joke, right? It has to be because Mercedes told me we were only a 50% match."
"She only had half the information; she also didn't know about this until a few days ago," Kurt explained before letting out a deep sigh. "Look, it's not in my place to intervene after a client has relieved us of our services, but Mercedes isn't pushing you away because she wants to…."
Sam shook his head. "I don't care. Look, I like Marley; she actually wants to be with me, wants a future. 90% is more than most people get."
"Oh bullshit, you have to work a little harder than usual, but that ninety percent doesn't mean a damn thing if you don't really love that person. Mercedes' great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother all got married at the age of twenty-two. They had kids, and their relationships… they last forever. No one has ever gotten divorced, and no one has ever taken this long to fall in love. She thinks… I can't believe I'm saying this, but she believes she's cursed." Kurt said, hoping like hell he didn't think he was crazy.
Sam stared at Kurt for a long moment. "You're serious?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but she thinks she's not good enough for you or Izzy and that she will end up hurting you more than doing either of you good. I've known her my entire life, and I've seen her in relationships, but I've never seen her truly in love. Not until I saw her crying over losing you and your daughter…."
"Kurt, I can appreciate what you are doing, and I can't say I don't love her. That I'm not in love with her, but I asked her to marry me, and she didn't answer me." He said as his resolve began to break.
"Did you give her time to answer you? Did you propose to her like a man deeply in love with a woman or just ask to prove a point? Mercedes isn't just a woman you find by chance, she might have taken a moment, but that answer would've been yes." Kurt replied.
Sam didn't say anything, feeling shame for the fact that even if he didn't mean to, that's what he did.
"Wow… you expected her to just say yes, and you didn't even put in the effort. Telling her you love her without showing it is hypocritical considering you've needed her to tell you even though she's done nothing but show it."
"Except actually be with me. She may have shown her love, but she also pushed me away at every turn. It's not just me; love takes two people, and she didn't want to admit it until she saw me happy with Marley."
"You can't be serious. That woman who is, by the way, deeply in love with you continued to help you find love, and you think she waited to tell you that she loved you? She never saw Marley, only you… she walked right up to you and told you how she felt, which is what you had been demanding she do. So the moment she did, what did you do?" Kurt asked, folding his arms.
Sam felt like an ass.
Marley, who had been listening in the background, walked over to the two men. "Uh baby, the show is about to start."
"I need to go check on the ladies," Kurt said, shaking his head before walking back to the room where Mercedes, Izzy, and Blaine were.
Sam and Marley sat through every act smiling and singing along, patiently waiting for Izzy's turn. Marley had been affectionate throughout the entire program and even held a few conversations with his parents and brother.
"I wonder when it'll be Izzy's turn," Mary asked. Sam was wondering the same thing because Quinn and Chloe had already gone, and she told them that their performance was either second to last or last.
"I got Izzy a gift… I hope that was okay to do." Marley whispered into Sam's ear, and he couldn't help but smile.
"I'm sure she'll love it."
She chewed her bottom lip leaning back in boldly. "I got you a gift too."
"Oh really?" He asked, smirking at her, right as the lights dimmed and everyone looked back at the stage.
"Oh yeah, but it's not appropriate for prying eyes... it's in my overnight bag…" she whispered seductively.
"Iiiiiiiii…. don't want a lot forrrr Christmas." There was a pause as the spotlight came onto the stage. Mercedes was standing in front of a tall Christmas tree, wearing her full-length pink, curve-hugging gown that had sheer lace with lace flower petals covering the bodice. She turned towards the crowd; her hair was up in a tight, thick bun, tendrils framed her face, and a silver diamond tiara graced her head.
"There is just one thing Iiii needed…."
Sam's breathing hitched when he saw Mercedes standing on stage, she looked absolutely stunning, and he had to train his face to not show how the dress hugging her body was really affecting him.
"Sam? Did you hear me?" Marley whispered. "It's really sexy."
"She absolutely is…." He answered, keeping his eyes glued to Mercedes.
Marley gasped. "What?!"
"I don't care about the presents…." Came a smaller but powerful voice walking onto the stage. Wearing a matching dress to Mercedes. "Underneath the Christmas tree."
Sam felt his heart swell at seeing Izzy, she looked so adorable, and you could tell that Mercedes had been working with her on her singing.
Mercedes smiled, bending down to Izzy. "I just want you for my own." She booped Izzy on the nose, making the little girl laugh.
"More than you could ever know." Izzy sang back to her.
Mercedes hugged her tightly, then released her. "Make my wish come trueeee…."
She smiled, looking at Izzy as they sang together. "All I want for Christmas….is… you…."
Sam was on the edge of his seat; they looked at them. He may have wanted Mercedes to be his, but it was clear that they were supposed to be mother and daughter by the way she and Izzy were looking at each other.
Izzy started dancing around her as she continued to sing. "I don't want a lot for Christmas; there is just one thing I need. I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. I don't need to hang my stocking There upon the fireplace. Santa Clause won't make me happy with a gift on Christmas day."
Izzy grabbed a few small gifts and tossed them into the audience spinning.
"I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know, make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you...you...baby."
Mercedes and Izzy danced around the stage together as they continued the song, enjoying having the best time.
Marley leaned into Sam. "Izzy is really popping on stage."
Sam didn't even look her way. "Shhhhh." He said, watching as the song was coming to an end, and Mercedes and Izzy danced around coming back to the end of the stage, looking out to the crowd. Then, taking their bows, Sam was certain that he was the first one out of his chair clapping along with his family as Marley sulked in her chair.
Marley Rose knew two things in life. First, you had to fight for what you wanted and never give a man a chance to break your heart. Seeing the way Sam stared at Mercedes, on top of what he told Kurt, she knew that her relationship with him was being threatened. In all honesty, she truly and genuinely liked Sam. It may not have been love, but it could be. So when Sam said he was going to the back to find Izzy, she made sure she went with him, leaning against him and kissing his neck.
"Sam, I am so proud of Izzy...it's like I am a proud momma." She said lovingly.
"I know, they did so well, and Izzy looked so happy up there," Sam replied.
"Next year Izzy and I are gonna blow this year out of the water. I already have an idea of what we can do." She said, smiling at him.
Sam just looked at her before nodding as he saw Izzy and Mercedes walking towards them. They were both beaming with happiness, and Sam let go of Marley's hand before pulling them both into a tight hug, shocking both Mercedes and Marley.
"You two were so amazing!" Sam said, leaning down and kissing Izzy on the forehead before turning to Mercedes and stopping himself from kissing her as well. "Thank you for doing this with her."
Mercedes beamed. "I should be thanking her." Mercedes smiled down to Izzy. "You gave me something today I never thought I would have." Mercedes kissed her forehead and smiled up at Sam. "Thank you too for letting me do this." She said, trying not to tear up, knowing that this was the last time she would see Izzy.
"No thanks needed; she couldn't have picked a better partner. You both look beautiful, and I didn't even know she could sing that well." Sam said, gushing over both of them.
"She has always had a beautiful voice; I just...helped pull it out of her."
Izzy smiled, holding Mercedes's hand. "Let's go home so we can get ready for dinner."
Mercedes frowned, looking at Sam but then bending down to Izzy. "I'm afraid this is where we part lil one."
Izzy frowned. "Why?"
Mercedes sighed. "I have never lied to you. And I never will, so I will just say that it's been made clear that my services are no longer needed."
"What does that mean?" She whined.
Mercedes closed her eyes. "Baby girl…this was always a temporary thing, I did my job, and now it's time for me to go."
"But… that's not fair. I don't want you to go; I don't want her to go, daddy!" Izzy said, tearing up.
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip; she was heartbroken and furious that she had to let those in her heart go, but Sam was her father, and she had to respect it. "Izzy, I love you, and if we could still talk and laugh, trust me, I would do it in a heartbeat. But your dad feels that it would be best for all of us if we had a clean break. And maybe he is right. Marley is perfect for you guys; give her a chance."
"Why! Why do I have to give her a chance!" Izzy said, stomping her foot.
Sam moved closer to her, taking her hand. "Because we are dating," Sam said.
Izzy pulled away from him. "But I don't want Marley! I want Mercedes." She said, hugging Mercedes tightly.
Sam sighed. "Isabella, listen and listen well I am your father, I understand you want a mom, and I am doing my best to find someone who fits both of us. Marley can be that person if you let her."
"My mother is right here!" Izzy said, pointing at Mercedes.
Mercedes turned her head to stop herself from breaking down before doing what she knew she needed doing. "Izzy, getting to be your mom on that stage meant everything to me, but your father and Marley are together, and you need to give them a chance to show you that they can be real."
Marley took this opportunity to bend down to Izzy. "How about we go get you some Ice Cream and celebrate what you did. You were the star of the show, you really could have done it alone, and everyone would have eaten it up; you were that good. But, unfortunately, we have taken enough of Mercedes' time; I am sure she has other more important things to do."
Mercedes looked at Marley. "I may not be the mother Sam wants for his daughter but don't you dare say that there is anything more important to me than being there for this little girl."
"I didn't mean… we're trying to establish boundaries here," Marley said.
"No, you are trying to stake your claim. And that's fine, but do not do so by tearing down what this family right here means to me." Mercedes said, staring her down.
"Mercedes…" Sam said, trying to touch her arm, but she yanked away.
"No! Sam, I really am trying to respect your wishes and stay away, but you will not take this moment and make it less than what it was!" She said, tears falling from her eyes.
"She's not trying to do that," Sam replied, looking at her then to Izzy. "This moment was amazing, and I know you'll both cherish it always… but it is time for us to go."
"Yes, my daughter was amazing up there." A voice said from behind everyone.
Mercedes and Sam both looked behind them and said, "Penny?" At the same time.
Penny smirked. "Hi, Sammy."
"What the hell?" Mercedes asked, looking at Penny then to Izzy and finally seeing the resemblance before letting out a heartless laugh. "You bitch." She said, shaking her head, shocking them.
"Now, now that's no way to act, Ms. Matchmaker; I am still a client of yours," Penny replied, amused by her reaction.
"No, not as of this moment you are not. I can not believe you tried to use me to get back in the life of the man you abandoned." Mercedes said, shielding Izzy from Penny.
"I did no such thing, and Sam knows that," Penny said, looking at Sam, who hadn't said a single word because his anger was rising.
"You were going to set me up with her?" Sam asked, looking at Mercedes.
"Considering I had no idea she was your ex, yes, I was."
"Some fucking services those are; you said you vetted everyone, and you allowed her to fall through the cracks!" Sam replied before reaching over and picking up Izzy.
"Considering she came highly recommended by the Mayor and her family is well known, do you really think I didn't vet her? You never told me who her mother was, and you are being pathetic, taking your anger out on me when you are really mad at her! I will not be your punching bag! I will not allow you to hurt me any more than you already have. Go to hell." She turned around and stopped. "I love you so much Izzy, please never forget that." She said, moving to kiss her on top of her head." Then side-eyed Sam, and she turned back around and stormed away angrily.
"I will make this short, I want my family back, and I want to be in my daughter's life," Penny said, looking Marley up and down.
"You will never darken her life, and you don't have a family here," Sam replied, holding Izzy and storming off.
Happy Birthday to me! Its the last few hours of my birthday so Kesh and I decided instead of waiting to post a chapter until next week I would post it now!
Now can we talk about the drama! Confessions, Tantrums and drama...I love it lol