"Sam, who was that?" Marley asked as they walked to his car, and he just shook his head, having more important things to do than explaining who the hell Penny was.

Marley sighed. "Sam, if we are going to have a future together, then I need to know what is going on. With you and that woman...and you and Mercedes."

Sam shot her look before putting Izzy into the car and closing the door. "My daughter who hasn't seen her mother in seven years is more important, and if you expect to have a future with me, you will let me handle calming her down first. You are not first in this moment, Marley." Sam snapped.

"You know you need to stop snapping at people! Sam, this is a bad situation but snapping at those who aren't even the reason you are mad is childish. I just wanted to help."

Sam ran his hands over his face. "Look, this is a stressful situation, and I'm handling it one step at a time. But, first, I have to check on my daughter, and I am sorry for snapping, but you haven't even asked if she was okay."

"I'm sorry...but I can see she isn't okay," Marley said, moving to sit in the passenger seat.

"Then let me take care of her first, and then I'll explain everything later," Sam replied, shaking his head.

Izzy looked out the window in tears. "I want to talk to Mercedes." She asked softly.

"Sweetie, I don't-" Marley started before Izzy kicked the back of her seat.

"I was talking to my daddy." Izzy snapped.

Marley plastered on a smile, looking back at her. "Sweetie, I know that you are upset, but I just think it's better to talk to your dad and me than to Mercedes. It's okay to be upset."

"Why is she even here? This is supposed to be a family dinner." Izzy asked, completely ignoring Marley.

"Izzy, Marley is spending dinner with us, I told you," Sam said softly. "You and I need to talk about what happened though, how do you feel?"

"I feel like I want to talk to Mercedes."

"Little Bit Mercedes isn't here," Sam said sadly.

"Yeah, well, who's fault is that?"

"Isabella!" Sam said.

Marley looked at her. "It's her fault; she should never have been so unprofessional and gotten close to you." She said without thinking.

Sam slammed on breaks and looked at Marley like she'd lost her damn mind.

Marley closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, Sam."

"You…" Sam didn't even know what to say, so he just started driving again with the thought creeping in his mind that Mercedes would have never misspoken like that, especially not to Izzy.

"I still want Mercedes…." Izzy huffed. "She was way better than you." She hissed quietly at Marley.

Marley looked at Sam and then back at Izzy, who stuck her tongue out at Marley kicking her seat again.

Marley sighed, needing to save face. She turned to Izzy putting on her teacher's voice. "You know, sometimes when traumatic events that hurt happen, we like to keep it to ourselves, but it's better to talk about it, Sweetie."

"Don't call me sweetie, you evil, wicked witch!" She growled.

They pulled up to Sam's parent's place, and Marley walked inside with Sam staying back so he could talk to Izzy alone. "We'll be there in just a moment," Sam said, and Marley just nodded, walking inside and greeting his parents.

"Okay, kiddo, we need to have a talk." Sam said, squatting so he was at eye level.

Izzy frowned, standing in front of Sam.

"I understand that you're upset, and you have every right to be, but being rude to Marley isn't going to resolve anything."

"I don't like her."

"You don't even know her."

"I know if you didn't send Mercedes away, she would be holding me right now and telling me that everything would be okay...and she wouldn't have yelled at me like Marley did."

"She apologized for doing that, and she's learning, but it's hard to do when you don't give her a chance. I know seeing your mother after all this time is hard, but taking your anger out on her isn't helping." Sam replied, pulling her into a hug.

"She isn't my mother! Mercedes is my mother, and you sent her away, and I hate you!" She said, pulling away from Sam and running into the house. Izzy ran past everyone and up to her room, slamming the door.

"IZZY!" Sam shouted after her before letting out a deep sigh.

"Give her a minute to calm down," Mary said, rubbing his back. "We saw Penny… if you guys wanna skip dinner, you can.

"She said she hated me...she never said that before...the worst part is that she isn't even mad about Penny. She's mad I sent Mercedes away." Sam said, running his hands through his hair.

"Well, to be fair, we all feel that way, but we won't put any more added stress on you."

"Wait, you all feel what way?"

"Sam, we love Mercedes, all of us."

Sam sighed. "I know...I talked to her associate...you know he actually showed me all my scores?" He looked to Marley, who was sitting next to Stevie and Dwight.

"And?"

"Marley and I are a 90 percent match. Pretty high…" He said, leaning against the wall. "And Mercedes and I are 100 percent."

"And you allowed her to get away?" Mary asked, looking at her son like he was crazy.

"I don't know! It all happened so fast!" He whispered. "We got into a fight this morning, and I was done, but then I talked to Kurt, and God, I really stepped in it, making her feel bad about Marley and me... it's over."

"It's only over because you're too much of a coward to go after what you really want. Sam, you wanted Mercedes to tell you how she felt, but you never thought she would actually admit it. I know Penny hurt you and Izzy, and it's better to go safe than follow your heart, but sometimes it's worth it in the end. Mercedes is not Penny." Mary sighed. "I'll let Izzy skip dinner, but you have a choice to make, a real one," Mary said, walking upstairs to check on Izzy.

Sam punched the wall angrily, taking a deep breath as he tried to calm down. He could only be angry at himself because his mom was right.

Mercedes sighed, staring at the ceiling. She was broken; she couldn't help but admit that. Her phone rang, and she looked overseeing Sam's home phone calling her. She answered quickly.

"Sam, is Izzy okay?"

"No, I'm not." Mercedes heard, and her heart sunk.

"Oh, baby girl. So much has happened, and I know it's confusing. But you're not alone, okay?"

Sam went to his daughter's room and paused, hearing her talking on the phone. She had it on speaker, and he could hear Mercedes talking o Izzy.

"I feel alone." Izzy cried.

"I know the feeling, baby girl; I am alone right now, spending Thanksgiving alone. It...it makes you think...but you, Izzy, you aren't."

"Then why do I feel like it?"

Mercedes glanced over at her stuffed bear. "Izzy, grab your teddy, the one we made at build a bear."

Izzy grabbed it, and Mercedes smiled. "Push the heart button."

Izzy did, and tears sprang at what she heard. It was Mercedes singing one of Izzy's favorite songs.

"To dream, the impossible dream. To fight the unbeatable foe. To bear the unbearable sorrow. And run where the brave dare not go. To right the unrightable wrong and love the pure and chaste from afar. To try when your arms are too weary. To reach the unreachable star. This is my quest. To follow that star. Ohh, no matter how hopeless no matter how far… To reach the unreachable, the unreachable, the unreachable...star. Yeah, and I'll always dream, the impossible dream, yes, and I'll reach the unreachable star."

Mercedes wiped her own eyes. "You are amazing, and yes, things feel hard, things feel heavy on your poor heart, but you aren't alone, and you can reach every goal, every quest, everything. I love you, Izzy, and when you feel as heavy as you do right now, you push that heart and listen to me and know I am here. Always."

Izzy sighed, wiping her eyes. "I love you, Mercy."

"Oh, Izzy, I love you too. Now go give your dad a hug and let him console you; I think right now, you need each other."

"I do need him...but I said I hated him."

"Oh, Izzy, he knows you didn't mean it. It's been a tough day, but know there is nothing you can say that will ever stop us from loving you."

"Okay," Izzy said quietly.

Sam knocked on Izzy's door, and she wiped her eyes again, "I have to go. I love you."

"Love you too."

Izzy hung up as Sam walked in. "Daddy... I'm sorry."

Sam held her close. "It's okay, baby. Today was supposed to be your day, and yet it was ruined."

Izzy sighed. "Marley and Penny ruined it. Mercedes made it amazing."

Sam sighed, not knowing what to say.

"Daddy, don't you love Mercedes?"

Sam nodded. "But sometimes it just doesn't work out."

Izzy looked away from him, but Sam turned her face back to his. "I love you, Izzy, even if you don't understand what is happening."

She hugged him. "I love you too."

Sam smiled. "Now come on, let's go eat."

Izzy sighed. "Can I..eat in my room, please?"

Sam wanted to say no, but his mom was right; Izzy needed time. "Sure."

Sam gave her a smile and left the room as Izzy looked over to her dresser. She moved to her closet and grabbed her bag before moving to the dresser and packing a bag. She loved her dad, but right now, her mom needed her.

Izzy heard laughing coming from the hall and her Uncle Stevie on the phone. She opened the door and smiled. "Uncle Stevie...just the man I was looking for." She said sweetly.

Stevie looked at his niece suspiciously before walking into her room. "What's up? You okay?" He asked.

"I was hoping you could give me a ride somewhere." She said softly.

"Depends… What's in it for me?" He asked, nudging her playfully.

"I know you broke pop pops saw...but if you take me, then I didn't see nothing. I don't know nothing." She said, shrugging.

"Gonna need to come better than that; come on, I taught you the art of blackmail." Stevie teased, trying not to laugh.

"I'll tell Jane that you got her ring on a discount because you are cheap...I heard you and daddy talking...and you said if Jane found out, she would be angry."

"Woah… I'm impressed. Deal, where are we going?" Stevie said, proud of his niece.

She held up her packed backpack. "Mercedes house."

"As in matchmaker Mercedes? I'm not..." He started before Izzy shot him her famous innocent face. "Fine, but I'm blaming you if we get into trouble; meet me at the back door in five minutes."

Izzy hugged him tightly and nodded. "All me…" She needed to talk to Mercedes; she knew the older woman would understand about Penny and about her dad and everything. Plus, she didn't want Mercedes to be alone, and she knew that she was.

Izzy made her way down the back stairs and out to Stevie's car; she got in, glancing around and waiting for him. As he got into the car, Izzy sighed.

Stevie looked at her. "You gonna tell me what all this is about?"

"I just need Mercedes." She said quietly.

"And you can't talk to your dad about it, or me?"

"It's a girl thing."

"Well, you have Grandma, Stacey, Quinn, even Marley…."

"They aren't my mother!" She said loudly, and Stevie nodded. "I get that you're upset, and I won't push, but you always have me to talk to when you can't talk to anyone else," Stevie said before pulling off, knowing this was going to blow up in his face.

"I know... that's why I asked you to take me. Daddy told Mercedes she couldn't see me anymore, and I just...I really feel like I need her."

"Sure thing," Stevie said, deciding to accept that answer.

Mercedes had finished packing her bag and sent the text to Kurt, letting him know she wouldn't be in for the next week or two. Then grabbed her grocery bags and put them in the car. Turning off all the lights and locking up, she went to her car, shocked to see another car pulling in behind hers.

For a moment, her heart leaped, thinking Sam was coming for her, but then she realized it was Stevie and frowned. She really missed Sam and Izzy.

As if hearing Mercedes think her name Izzy popped out of the car and screamed. "Mercy!"

"Oh, sweet girl! What are you doing here?" She asked, quickly walking over to her and hugging her.

"I needed you, and I didn't want you to be alone." Izzy replied, hugging her back tightly.

"Oh, sweet girl," Mercedes said, hugging her. "I am so glad that you wanted to come to see me, but you really should be with your family right now… It's Thanksgiving…"

"But you're my family...and I am yours." She said, holding Mercedes close. And I can't -...daddy wants to talk about Penny and I…." Mercedes nodded. "Stevie, can I use your phone, pretty sure if I call your brother, he won't answer."

"Don't worry, I'll tell him," Stevie said, smiling at the both of them.

"I think I should be the one to talk to him...I am not staying here…." She said softly.

"Oh okay, yeah, here you go." Stevie said, handing his phone over after unlocking it.

Mercedes sighed heavily, putting the phone to her ear and waiting as it rang.

"Why are you calling me from the bathroom, dude?"

"Ummm, this isn't Stevie…." She said, chewing her bottom lip.

"Mercedes?"

"Yeah, I need to talk to you."

"Why do you have Steve's phone? Is he okay?" Sam asked, starting to get worried.

"Yeah, he's okay, but Ummm, Izzy is here…."

"WHAT? How did she get there?"

Mercedes looked at Stevie. "Stevie brought her...but don't be upset with either of them. Stevie was just being a good uncle and Izzy; she knew I was alone today and didn't want me to be...plus, she looks as if she really needs to talk. I don't have the heart to turn her away Sam, she needs me…."

"She can't just leave without saying anything! I'm on my way." Sam replied.

Mercedes moved further away from Izzy and Stevie. "Sam, please...she is hurting, and I know she was wrong. I just...trust me, please. I love her, and I want to make sure she is okay. I am headed to my cabin. It's where I go for the Holidays when I am alone, and I think the drive and conversation will help her." Mercedes hesitated. "I know things with us are weird, but I promise I will protect her like my own, and I will give you the address to come get her in the morning…."

"Alright, she can go with you, but I'm still coming; I'll just meet you at your cabin. I trust you, Mercedes, so I know she'll be fine, but I've never been without my daughter during the holidays."

"Okay, that's fair...I lo- I will let you talk to her, and Sam, I know you are angry at her, but it's been a lot so maybe save the anger for when you get up to the cabin." She said, moving closer to Izzy.

"I know Mercedes, and thanks," Sam said.

Mercedes handed Izzy the phone and gave a soft smile. "Here, talk to your dad."

Izzy took the phone and sighed. "Hi, daddy."

"Isabella… I need you to explain yourself." Sam said as calmly as he could.

"I needed to talk to Mercedes, daddy, and you weren't listening." She said honestly.

"I apologize for not listening, but you still can not just leave without letting me know. What if something had happened?"

"I'm sorry ` daddy."

"It's okay… we'll talk more about it later. Be good for Mercedes and mind your manners." He replied, sighing. "I love you. Can you give the phone back to Mercedes?"

"I love you too, daddy," she said, giving Mercedes the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey… thanks again for taking her with you. I'm sorry, I didn't know she would do this but thank you."

"Sam, it's actually okay; I am glad I don't have to be alone for Thanksgiving." She said softly.

"I'm sorry you had to be alone. I can bring some food or something." He offered.

"Oh no, that's okay, Izzy and I are gonna make dinner together and dessert while we discuss some things... that's okay right? Me talking to her about Penny?"

"If it'll help her, yes. Penny is… she's not a good person, and her showing up the way she did frustrates me. I am sorry for taking my anger out on you earlier; I've tried contacting her for years and never got a response." He admitted.

"I can only imagine...I am sorry you had to deal with that and had I known she was your ex, I would have never even considered her for you...if I am being honest, I kept putting her off because I didn't want you to fall for her." Mercedes confessed.

"Really?" He asked, surprised she said that.

"Yeah...I have been pretty jealous of all the girls you went out with, and while Marley is great, I am still sad she gets to be what you need, and I don't. But I will accept it, and Izzy will too; it just takes time."

"Wanna share?" Marley asked before Sam could respond

Hearing Marley, Mercedes frowned. "I should let you go spend time with her."

"I'll see you later and be safe. I… text me when you make it." He replied, letting out a sigh earning a look from Marley

"Yeah, okay." She said, handing Stevie the phone.

"Yo?" Stevie said, giving both Izzy and Mercedes a hug before getting back into his car to leave.

"I fully plan on beating your ass later, but thanks for making sure she was safe first," Sam said.

"Mhm, whenever you get done entertaining your mistress, your wife and kid will be waiting," Stevie replied before hanging up.

Marley held up a forkful of pie. "Have some; it's really good!"

Sam smiled, allowing her to feed him the pie before deciding to just tell her what was going on. "So I'm having to go upstate to get Izzy." He said, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"Go get Izzy? What are you talking about?"

"She convinced Stevie to take her to Mercedes,' and they're going upstate to her cabin tonight. "Sam answered.

Marley stepped back. "Wait, what? No, Sam, all you have to do is tell Stevie to bring her back, not that difficult."

"She wants to be with Mercedes, and I think she could benefit from the girl time. Mercedes promised to talk to her about what happened today. So I'm going to drive out tonight to be there with her."

Marley sighed. "Sam, if she wants girl time, I can give that to her. You said yourself you didn't want Mercedes talking to Izzy anymore, so why are you letting that woman take your child upstate? It doesn't make sense to me."

"I never said I didn't want her talking to her; I just said she needed to speak to me about it. Also, that woman wouldn't harm my child, and I trust her." Sam replied, shaking his head.

"Sam, are you dating Mercedes or me because I am trying to build a relationship with you and Izzy, but you seem content on letting Mercedes be her mother figure."

"She has been a mothering figure to her, and I can't nor will I just rip that away from her. Mercedes said she would talk to Izzy; sometimes it's okay to get help." Sam replied defensively.

Marley folded her arms. "Sam, if you aren't gonna be honest with me, then at least be honest with yourself."

"I am being honest! I told you immediately what was going on, and I told you that I had to go get her."

"That's not what I am talking about?" She put the plate down. "Sam, am I who you want? Really want? Cause you are who I want."

"Why are you even asking me that, Marley. I am here with you."

"Because I heard you. I heard you talking to Kurt...I know what you said and if you want to be with Mercedes, then go, but Sam, I think we could have something great. So I need to know, do you want her or me?"

"I want..."

Now we have a little insight on Sam and his feelings and now he better make up his mind and hope its not too late.