A/N: Enjoy! Don't forget to read our one shot Thanksgiving Battle!
Chapter 12
Mercedes smiled, pulling the bags into the house. "This is my favorite place to be Izzy, the snow, nature, it's so peaceful."
"Wow! This place is beautiful, do you come here a lot?" Izzy asked, grabbing her bag and following behind her.
"I try too. But sometimes I get busy...or I make myself busy so I don't have to be alone. But this place takes that away you know?" She placed the bags in one of the bedrooms and smiled at the purple decor and princess bed. "This was my room when I was your age...I keep it like this for my nieces."
"I love it! Maybe It can be mine now?" Izzy asked cheerfully, bouncing on the bed.
"Yeah maybe...you know if you want, while the chicken is cooking we talk and then after we eat we can play in the snow."
"Okay! I don't know if I have any boots though." Izzy replied.
Mercedes smiled going to the closet. "Like I said, I have nieces." She opened the door and showed Pink and purple boots and snow boots.
"Yay! Let's go play in the snow!" Izzy said, reaching for the boots before Mercedes put them behind her back shaking her head.
"Okay but first, we talk and cook."
"Okay…" Izzy said softly, wanting to avoid the talking part.
"Okay, let's go wash our hands and start cooking. I am thinking we are going to make Chicken, Mac and Cheese, corn and rolls. What do you think?"
"Yes! I'm starving!" Izzy said and Mercedes shot her a concerned look.
"You didn't eat?" She asked.
"I was going to eat, but first I was mad at daddy and then I was gonna eat in my room but then I remembered you said you were alone." She replied sadly.
Mercedes washed her hands and put her apron on and then gave Izzy one, pulling the chicken out of the fridge and preheating the oven. "Okay so are you still mad at daddy?"
"Kinda? I'm mad that daddy won't let you be my mommy." Izzy answered honestly.
Mercedes sighed. "Yeah I can see that. But you can't make your dad change his mind. And getting mad, acting out isn't going to make things better."
"I just wanted to be with you and he kept trying to push Marley on me. I don't like her and shouldn't have to." Izzy said defensively.
"Is the only reason you don't like her, because she isn't me?" Mercedes asked, grabbing her seasonings.
"You're not pushy and it's easy to be around you.. She's trying too hard for me to like her. I just knew I liked you, you didn't have to try."
Mercedes nodded as she seasoned the chicken. "Of course she is trying hard, she really really likes your dad and is afraid you don't like her. She doesn't understand that you are amazing and doesn't need her to do that yet."
"Why do you want my daddy with her? I thought you wanted what was best for us." Izzy asked, passing her the garlic.
"Can you grab me the chopped up onions too." Mercedes said softly. "And I don't want him with her, but he made up his mind. I have to respect that. Plus Marley isn't a bad person, can't you just try to give her a chance?"
"No, because she isn't my mother and she never will be my mom." Izzy replied, handing her the onions trying not to get angry.
Mercedes washed her hands and bent down to her. "Izzy, you asked for a mom for Christmas and maybe I can't be your mom but I can be your fun Aunt who takes you places when your dad and Marley drive you crazy."
"Then just be my fun mom that helps me drive daddy crazy and give me sisters and brothers!" Izzy countered.
"Izzy I told you in the beginning that it had to be up to you and your dad, and your dad doesn't want me. He wants Marley and that is just one thing we can not change." She said, holding her tears back. "Your daddy deserves to be happy doesn't he Izzy? Isn't that why you found me in the first place?"
"Yes but…"
"No buts, sadly life isn't fair, and sometimes we can't get the things we want, but fortunately for you, you get a mommy in Marley and an Aunt in me and your dad gets to be happy...I say that's a win/win."
"Maybe for you and daddy and Marley but not for me!" Izzy replied storming off.
"Isabella!" She yelled after the little girl and Izzy stopped walking but didn't turn around.
"Now I understand that you are used to getting everything you want, your dad, your Aunts and Uncles, and Grandparents they spoil you. But you will not disrespect me again by yelling and storming off. You are too old for that and too smart. I know it sucks but you need to understand that sometimes life sucks. It doesn't mean you can be disrespectful to me, nor your dad. And running away like you did was dangerous, yes Stevie brought you but if he didn't would you have still tried to come? Because if so that could have led to you being hurt and that would have killed us all. Izzy we love you, and believe me if I could give you the family you wanted I would but this is the hand we got dealt, we have to deal with it."
Izzy turned around shocked that Mercedes raised her voice at her and felt tears filling her eyes. "I just wanted you to be my mom because I know you would never leave me like Penny did." Izzy admitted finally.
Mercedes pulled her close and held her. "Oh baby you are stuck with me. There is nothing in this world that will ever keep me from you. I will fight bears and lions and tigers just for you lil one. I will never leave you, I am with you every step of the way. I promise." She kissed her forehead. "I may not get to be your mom, but I will be the best damn Aunt ever."
Izzy hugged her back letting the tears fall freely. "I'm sorry."
"I know, baby."
Sam headed straight to Mercedes' cabin after taking Marley home, he had a lot on his mind but his main concern was making sure Izzy was okay. She'd never acted this way before and he knew he had been a little harsh but not to the point that she would ever run away.
He parked his car behind Mercedes' and went to the big rock on the side of the porch where she said the hidden key was. He knocked but there was no answer so he figured they were jamming it out or something.
As he walked into the house he froze hearing Izzy yell at Mercedes, but he was even more shocked hearing Mercedes yell back at Izzy. Not as a stranger or friend, she spoke to her like her mother should. Sam stood back hearing the promise Mercedes made and he knew he had made the right decision. He was going to choose Mercedes, he was going to choose the perfect person to be his wife and the mother of his children.
Sam didn't know how to announce himself so he just cleared his throat.
Mercedes heard the voice clear and looked up seeing Sam. She smiled. "I think your dad needs to hear that too, Izzy."
Izzy moved out of Mercedes' embrace and ran over to her father hugging him. "I'm so sorry daddy. I shouldn't have run off like that and I shouldn't have yelled at you." She said crying.
Sam hugged Izzy tightly. "It's okay lil bit. It's been an emotional day for us all."
"I didn't mean to make it harder…" She muttered softly. Mercedes chose that moment to finish preparing dinner and allow them time to talk in private.
"Mercedes." Sam said, stopping her.
"Sam it's okay, I know you guys need time to talk." She said continuing to walk away.
"Go watch a movie, I need to speak with you mother." Sam whispered to Izzy seeing her beaming back at him before going into the living room as she was told.
"Sam, I have to finish dinner." She said moving to the kitchen and putting the chicken in the oven.
"I'll help." He said moving beside her and grabbing the pan from her.
She sighed and started to work on the Mac and cheese. Since she made it last night it was already basically still fresh. She didn't say anything, just worked on the counter finishing up everything.
Sam watched her moving around the kitchen before finally standing in her way and placing his hand on her shoulders. "Please talk to me." Sam said softly "I know that things looked bad this morning but…"
"Things look bad? Sam, you let your girlfriend try to embarrass me in front of Izzy, you blamed me for Penny when the only one at fault was her for showing up and you for not trusting me enough to give me all the information, like I asked you too."
"Merce, I was wrong and I know that."
"Yeah well what I know is that you and I are not a good match. I wanted us to be, I prayed to be able to be a mom to Izzy, a wife to you. I wanted to spend the Holidays with your family and I really just wanted everything with you. But Sam, you and I just scream issues."
Sam moved closer to her. "You don't mean that. How can being with you feel so right and be wrong?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. But what I do know Sam, is that love, no matter how amazing it is, it shouldn't hurt like this. "
"This doesn't hurt to me, this just feels like we're purposely pushing each other away because of a stupid quiz."
"Of course it doesn't hurt to you!" She said, shaking her head. "You weren't embarrassed by someone I was dating, my ex didn't show up and make me turn against you. I was Sam. You hurt me!"
"I didn't mean to hurt you Mercedes, let me make it up to you." He said, trying to wrap his arms around her waist but she pushed his hands away. "Mercedes, I am sorry for taking my anger out on you."
She cleared her throat. "Sam, I don't want to talk about you and Marley."
"Good because I don't either. I want to talk about you and me and Izzy."
"Okay, look I know I should have asked you before making that promise, but I can't just walk away from her." Mercedes defended.
"Mercedes-"
"And I know it will be difficult but I'm willing to push aside my feelings if you think you can do the same." Mercedes interrupted.
"Mercedes lis-" Sam started but she kept talking.
"Because you deserve happiness And Marley can give you that, and I know Izzy doesn't like her but I can work on her." She continued.
"But Sam you have to know that none of this has anything to do with you...Sam my aunt...she tried to get married after twenty-two and is on her third divorce and I was afraid of putting you or Izzy through that. She already lost one mom. You deserve the sure thing."
"Mercedes!"
She stopped talking to him and frowned. "What?"
Sam shook his head before he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a deep kiss.
Mercedes was shocked and pulled away from him. "Don't...if I can't have you Sam don't give me hope by kissing me then going back to Marley." She said quietly.
Sam chuckled before shaking his head and kissing her again. "You know for someone in the business of finding love you're not too good at seeing when you've found it for yourself." He ¹said.
"Wh-what?" She asked, looking up at him.
"I love you and I'm not going anywhere. You're mine." He replied, smiling at her.
Izzy silently screamed out when she heard her dad tell Mercedes he loved her and wasn't going anywhere before running back into the living room and grabbing her dad's phone. She quickly called her grandmother anxiously waiting for her to answer.
"Did you make it safely Sam?" Mary said, moving to sit next to Dwight.
"Grandma, it's me Izzy!"
"Izzy? What happened? Is your dad okay?"
"He's fine! I'm okay and he's okay and so is Mercedes! I'm getting my mommy!" Izzy replied quietly, not wanting them to hear her.
Mary sat up. "Wait, what are you talking about?"
"Daddy told Mercedes he loves her!" Izzy said, excitedly.
"Well it's about dang on time! I thought he would never do it!"
"Mhm! And he told her he wasn't going anywhere! I get to have Mercedes as my mom now!"
"Oh sweetie I am so happy for you, I know that was your Christmas wish. Now if we can get them married by Christmas that would be a happy holiday!"
"I think we can come up with something." Izzy said mischievously.
Dwight cleared his throat. "You two need to stop."
"You think you can hint around that its not really a mommy for Christmas if they aren't married by Christmas?" Mary said, ignoring Dwight.
"I-"
"Izzy, go wash up for dinner!" Sam shouted.
"I gotta go! Bye grandma, bye grandpa!"
Mercedes was still reeling from what Sam had told her and she was still trying to figure out how to say the same words back now. She knew she felt the same way but they still needed to talk a few things out so she turned to him after setting the table ready to lay it all down before Izzy came back downstairs.
"Sam." She said softly.
Sam placed the rolls on the table. "Yeah baby?"
"I love you too and I love Izzy." She started taking a deep breath. "If you meant what you said then define not leaving."
Sam smiled moving closer to her, pulling her into his arms. "I mean, I love you." He kissed her forehead. "I want you and only you." He kissed one eyelid then the other. "And I want to ask you to marry me." He kissed her cheek. "And be mine...forever." He kissed the other cheek before landing on her lips.
Mercedes took in a sharp breath before nodding. "And I want that all of it but I also want babies and I want Izzy to really be mine."
"Okay then let me get you pregnant before we go to the court house, I don't see the problem here." He said.
"We're not getting married in a courthouse." She said giggling.
Sam smiled. "Of course not, I meant for you to adopt Izzy, Penny gave up her rights when she left so there won't be an issue."
"And that's another thing you need to set things straight with her. I won't deal with crazy ex's." She replied. "And I expect you to let Marley know too."
"Done! And I already told Marley I chose you."
"And I want a real proposal! I want you to ask Izzy too.
"You want me to ask Izzy what?"
"If she's okay with me being her mother." Mercedes replied and Sam shot her an amused look.
"You got it. What else do you want?" He asked, pulling her close. "Please don't tell me I have to wait to make love to you though."
"I… umm... " She stammered because she didn't want him to wait to do that either. "I'm not on birth control…" She said, not really sure as to why she said it.
"Good, anything else I should know?" He teased.
"Are you sure you want me?" She asked and Sam sighed.
"I've never been more sure about anything in my life." He replied, kissing her gently before hearing Izzy bouncing down the stairs.
Izzy ran into the room with a big grin. "What were you two talking about in here?"
Mercedes blushed before wigging out of Sam's embrace and deciding to grab the mac and cheese from the counter.
Sam smiled. "Don't pretend that you were not just eavesdropping on us."
"I wasn't…" Izzy replied, trying to feign innocence.
"Uh huh, did you wash your hands?" He said.
"Mhm! Everything smells yummy!" Izzy said as Mercedes placed the last of the food on the table.
"Good, come on, let's get some food in you." Mercedes said, catching Sam's eye and smirking.
"Thank you mommy." Izzy said, smiling as she grabbed a fork.
"You're welcome baby girl. Let's say grace first." Mercedes said, hoping Izzy noticed she didn't correct her.
Izzy smiled happily. "Daddy, doesn't everything smell good? Mommy did a great job."
"She sure did, we'll have to make it up to her later." Sam said and Mercedes caught the double meaning behind that.
"Mommy said after dinner we can have a snow fight!"
"We will!" Mercedes said, holding her hand out so they could do prayer. They all grabbed each other's hand, bowing their heads before she said a brief prayer.
"Let's eat!" She said feeling happy she didn't have to be alone and was spending it with her family.
"Come on out Sam! Make this easier on yourself…" Mercedes said, looking around the backyard for Sam and Izzy.
Sam and Izzy were shifting through the snow as quietly as they could trying to avoid Mercedes, who proved she was competitive and willing to do anything to win.
"Okay little bit, you have to go around and get behind her and I'll use myself as bait." Sam whispered to Izzy who nodded before giggling.
"She's gonna pummel you." Izzy said before running off and Sam just chuckled.
"You know Izzy, if you come to my side, we can take daddy down together." She said laughing.
Sam shook his head because he needed to have Izzy on his side so he had to stop Mercedes from talking. He threw a snowball at her revealing his hiding spot and bracing for her attack. Mercedes shook her head before running over from where the snowball came from to win it once and for all.
"Oh Sammy… have any famous last words?" Mercedes asked.
Sam looked at her from the ground where he was hiding. He smiled up at her. "I do, I have four though." He pulls out a ring box moving to one knee. "Will you marry me?"
Mercedes gasped as Sam opened the 2 carat gold princess cut diamond ring. "This belonged to my great grandmother. Took my great grandfather 25 years to afford it and she gave it to my grandmother who gave it to my dad, who gave it to my mom. And now my mom gave it to me for you. My hope is one day you will give this to the man brave enough to ask for Izzy's hand. So Mercedes Diane Jones, I know you set out in search of finding me my match. Who knew you got it right with the very first profile you ran against my name. Yours."
He smiled seeing Izzy walk up. "I love how strong you are, how brave and determined you are. I love your wit and sass. Your beautiful spirit and body. I love everything about you, would you do me the honor of being my wife, and Izzy the honor of being her mom?"
"Sam… Yes! Yes!" She said dropping the snowball in her hand and launching herself at him and kissing him deeply.
Izzy squealed before throwing her snowballs at them. "I'm getting my mommy for Christmas!" She shouted loudly and hugged both Mercedes and Sam.
Mercedes felt tears come to her eyes as she hugged Sam and Izzy. "Well Izzy now that you get your Christmas wish...knowing your birthday is in January what will your birthday wish be?"
Izzy smirked. "For you and daddy to be married on Christmas."
"That's not a lot of time to plan a wedding sweetie." Mercedes said. "But I'm not opposed to trying."
Sam smiled. "I am not either, but why do I feel like I just got set up?"
Izzy shrugged before grabbing Mercedes' hand and pulling her back inside. "We have to tell grandma and grandpa!" Izzy said excitedly.
"How about we let them rest and tell them tomorrow, we can watch a movie as a family." Mercedes suggested reaching back for Sam's hand.
"Yeah, let us celebrate together first." Sam said, smiling at them both.
AWWWWWWW! We're nearing the end!