Hey guys! So I am back with an update and I hope you enjoy! Also don't forget to check out Kesh and my new one shots though they are more like four shots lol. But anyways enjoy its just getting to the good part.
The last few weeks had gone by in a pleasant blur, Sam would come to visit any chance he got, and when he wasn't able to get away, he would call and video chat so that he could see the twins. It was a good system, but Mercedes could tell Sam wanted more. He wanted her to give up her life and move with him, to be a family with him, but she just wasn't sure she was ready for that.
Lying on the sofa couch, she closed her eyes, thinking over their last conversation, Sam made his intentions clear, and she was terrified.
2 weeks ago
Mercedes held her tablet up to the twins, who smiled immediately at Sam as he came into view.
"How are my beautiful angels?" Sam cooed, and the twins started to babble. Mercedes giggled as Sam responded like he could understand what they were talking about. As she set up the tablet in front of her and the twins, she heard a knock on his door, and within seconds another voice came onto the line, and she knew immediately that she was in trouble.
"Oh my Gosh, look at my grandbabies…Dwight! Get in here."
As Sam's father came onto the line, Mercedes stopped Zola from trying to bust out of her playpen.
"Sorry, we have an escape artist in our midst." She beamed.
"Mercedes, I have to say, they are more and more beautiful every time I see these two. I can not wait for Sammy to bring you three here; I want to meet these cuties in person."
"I know, and Sam and I were talking about us may be coming down for Christmas. All my people are headed out for the holidays this year, so we are getting together for thanksgiving."
Mercedes could see the excitement on Mary's face. "Oh?! Sam! Why didn't you tell me! I have so much to do!"
"Mom, no, it's just going to be small. Us, you guys and the twins, that's it." Sam said, but Mary was already kissing the twins goodbye, and Dwight laughed, shaking his head.
"I will try and reign her in. Don't worry…bye guys." He waved at Mercedes and the twins and walked off the screen.
Sam smiled, staring at the twins playing. "I really wish I was there. They are growing up so fast."
"Yeah, they are, and this one." She said, pointing to Zola. "Is a speed demon; she crawls everywhere now. She is trying to grow up to fast if you ask me." Mercedes said, pulling Zola back to her.
"Well, Christmas is only a few weeks away, and then I get you for two whole weeks."
Mercedes nodded. "Yeah, I have been looking at some hotels that we can stay in for that long; everything is so expensive."
"I was kind of hoping you could stay with me. I may have already started on the twin's room…and there is a beautiful second master right next to their room that you can stay in. I know we are taking things slow, so I am trying to respect that."
"I know, and it's appreciated. I just feel like we want different things, Sam."
"Okay, I can see why you feel that way, so let me be very clear with what I want. Our family is amazing, Mercedes, you, me, and our babies. That is what I want; I want our family, I want us."
Mercedes stared at him, unsure what to say. At that moment, both twins started crying. "Sam, I have to go, but I will video chat with you again before they go to bed."
Sam nodded. "Okay, I will talk to you later."
Present
Mercedes ran her fingers through her hair as Sam video called her. "Hey, Sam."
"Hey Merce, how are my babies?" He smiled.
Mercedes frowned but pushed it to the side. They are good, Bas took them to his parents to give me a break, but I can call when they get back." She was about to hang up when Sam cleared his throat.
"And you know when I asked how my babies were, I included you in that."
Mercedes sighed. "I am…I am okay.
"That doesn't sound good."
Mercedes nodded. "It's not. But it's not your concern either."
"Mercedes, if I was there, I would pull you close, kiss your forehead and tell you that you can trust me. But I am not there, so I hope my words are enough. You can trust me and burden me because it's not really a burden. So trust me. Please."
Mercedes stared at him through the phone. "Sam, I am struggling. I don't have that much money left in savings, and I can't go to work without leaving them, but the daycares around here that I can afford are not good, and the great ones I can't afford."
"I see…" Sam said. He wanted to offer her the same money he offered her a few months back, but he learned then that she wasn't confiding in him to fix it. And she said when she needed the money, she would ask. So he bit back the offer on his tongue. "I'm sorry. I don't know how you do it, Mercedes, but if anyone can figure it out, you can. And I am here, always, as are your friends. You aren't alone."
She smiled. "Thank you, Sam; I didn't know how much I needed to hear that until now."
"Baby, you do so much for everyone, but I am worried that you don't take enough time for yourself. I mean, Bas took the twins, and what are you doing?"
She hesitated. "I am…relaxing."
"What are you really doing?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "I am catching up on things around the house and things I can't do when the twins are here."
"Merce, do me a favor. In about 20 minutes, there is gonna be a knock on your door; if I have to go before that happens, I am gonna need you to just go, okay?"
"Sam, what did you do?"
He leaned back into his chair and smiled. "So when you come to visit for Christmas, I was thinking about what to get the twins? I know that this is their first Christmas, and I want to make it amazing."
"Sam, they are only 6 and some months old, so it's not like you can grab them a bike or something. Clothes and diapers, those would be great."
"I know, but Christmas is only a few weeks away, so I kinda want to not screw this up. And what about you? I want to make sure that you are okay; I want to make sure that you enjoy yourself."
"Sam, I am trying to come to terms with meeting your family for the first time…as the woman, you knocked up."
"Merce, you are coming as more than that."
Mercedes stood walking to the kitchen. "And what is that?"
"I was hoping we could figure that out when we see each other."
"Sam…" She breathed. "Don't make promises, statements, or declarations that you don't mean."
"I came to find you, Mercedes before I knew about the twins; I came to find you because I wanted you to know that you mean the world to me. It may have taken months, but I found what I was looking for, someone I didn't know I needed until you swam into my life. So yes, I can make declarations of love because you are the one thing that I know is perfect and fits right just for me."
Mercedes stood in her kitchen listening to Sam and unsure what she should say. When she left Hawaii, she promised to put him behind her, she didn't want to hope he would find her, but that's just what she found herself doing, day after day until she found out she was pregnant. And she wanted to reach out to him but felt like she had no right.
The night she went into labor, she tried calling his headquarters, but his secretary wouldn't put the call through, "you aren't the first to claim to be his baby mama. Send us a formal letter and a DNA test, then you can talk to him." Those words made her fearful that she was going to have to fight for her babies, and she couldn't do that. So she stayed away.
Now he was here, saying everything she wanted him to say, and that fear was screaming at her, wanting her to protect herself, protect her children.
"Sam, why isn't Quinn the one for you?" She finally said after a while of silence.
Sam ran his hand through his hair. "The short story is, I couldn't see a future with her."
"And the long one?" she asked.
Sam sighed, "She was who my parents wanted me to marry since I was a child. And I went along with it because she's Quinn, my friend, had been that my whole life. But we didn't even get engaged out of High school like my parents wanted or College because something was holding me back. Something was missing from that relationship, and you were missing."
Mercedes nodded into the phone. "Woooo, you politicians have a way with words."
"Maybe, but everything I said was true. You were what was missing, and now you have given me the greatest gift in our kids. I know what we had was fast, and you need more time, so I am willing to wait for as long as you need; just, don't shut me out, let me love you. Even if you don't love me back yet."
"Yet?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, because I know eventually this will all be mutual."
Mercedes nodded with a soft smile. "I should get going. But for the record. I am not, not, looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks."
Sam beamed. "I am not, not, looking forward to seeing you too."
Sam placed Zola into her car seat as Sebastian refused to give Mercedes Zach.
"You sure you don't want me to come? I can postpone Christmas in the Bahamas; who needs a vacation with Hunter? He can go without me." Sebastian said.
Mercedes shook her head. "Bas, I went through this with Tina and Kurt. I know it going to be hard for you to leave these two, but Sam already promised he would protect us; I promised I would video chat with you twice a day, send lots of photos, now give me back my baby so we can go."
"But I am their God Father! It's my right to want to spend Christmas with them." He defended.
Sam looked at Mercedes and then at Sebastian. "You can always just go to the Bahamas with your boyfriend and then come to Tennessee on Christmas Eve; I have a private jet that you can use."
Sebastian's face lit up. "Yes! I will tell Hunter…." He gave Mercedes Zach and kissed Mercedes's cheek. "I will see you next week." He said, walking to the door talking to Hunter.
"Thank you for that; he wouldn't have left. But you already have my grandparents coming, and then Kurt because he whined, and Tina and Mike because she cried, and now Bas and Hunter, are you sure it's okay?"
Sam moved closer to her and kissed her cheek. "As long as you are happy, then that's all that matters, plus my family is a bit much."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Do you think…think that they will like me?"
Sam took Zach from her and placed him in his car seat. "My mom can't wait to see the twins and meet you, and pretty sure Stacey and Stevie will love you on sight."
"And your dad?"
"He will take a bit more to convince. But it's not impossible." Sam stood and pulled her into a hug. "You are going to be perfect, and you have nothing to worry about."
She sighed, "Okay…I think we are ready."
Sam nodded. "You wanna grab Zo, and I can grab Zach? I'll come back for the bags once we get them settled in the car."
She nodded and followed Sam out. The trip to Tennessee was uneventful. Having a private plane, Sam hired someone to help them with the twins so Mercedes could get some rest. She would have complained if she wasn't so tired. The moment the plane took off, she was out like a light, and when she woke up, it was to Sam singing to the twins.
She smiled, looking over at him. "How long was I out?"
"About 45 minutes; we should be landing in about 15," Sam said, looking over to her. "How are you feeling?"
She stretched out before leaning over and kissing the babies feet. "A little rested, a lot nervous. Are we going straight to your parents, or will you drop us off at the hotel?"
"You are actually staying with me. Is that okay? I know we talked about it and figured I would take a chance." He said, a look of hope in his eyes.
She had to admit she felt a bit of relief that she wouldn't have to be alone. "That's fine, Sam."
"Oh, good, because I have a surprise for you and the babies."
Mercedes raised her eyebrow but didn't say anything. She was glad that they were landing because being cooped up in a plane with Sam while he was playing the perfect dad was getting to her.
When they exited the plane, Sam had an SUV waiting for them; before they could get to the door, it opened, and an older woman got out. "I'm so sorry I just couldn't wait to meet them." She said looking down at the sleeping twins. "Sam…they are so perfect." She looked over to Mercedes and smiled. "And you are just as beautiful as Sam said. I am Mary Evans, Sam's mom." She said, reaching over and hugging Mercedes.
"It's nice to meet you."
"I have always wanted a grandchild, and you gave me two beautiful ones. I know you don't know me, but since you are staying here for two weeks, I hope you will allow me to get to know you and the twins."
Mercedes smiled. "Mrs. Evans."
"Mary, please call me Mary."
Mercedes nodded. "Mary, I am sure that won't be a problem, and thank you for opening your home to us this Christmas."
"You are family now. So let's go get these two in the car, so I can get a better look at them."
Mercedes smiled as Mary told her about Sam when he was a baby; talking to the older woman really put her to ease.
"So you are telling me, he walked around in nothing but your heels and his dad's tie?"
"Yes! And he couldn't run, so it was funny chasing a naked 2-year-old around. And then when we had Stacey and Stevie… it was a madhouse, but I loved it."
"I can not wait until these two can talk and walk. Their Godparents have been amazing to help, but having Sam around when he can make it, really makes all the difference. You really have raised such an amazing Son." Mercedes said.
Mary looked over to Sam, who blushed and smiled. "I really did. I won't lie; we were taken by surprise by this whole Quinn and your situation, but I can see why Sam fell for you. Beauty and brains… it's refreshing."
Mercedes looked at her. "You aren't disappointed at who I am? I mean, I am no Quinn."
"That's a good thing, sweeties. Sam never needed someone who was just like him; he needs to be challenged. To be respected and loved completely. But Quinn could never see that."
Sam let his jaw drop, staring at his mom; she hadn't told him that; he always figured she wanted him with Quinn.
Before either of them could say anything, the car pulled to a stop. Sam looked out the window. "I thought you wanted to spend time with the twins; why are we at your house?"
Mary smiled. "Don't hate me, but your siblings wanted to see them and meet Mercedes. Then a few of your dad's golfing buddies…so we just have a mini meet and greet, and then you can go back to your place."
Sam looked at Mercedes then back at his mom. "We never agreed to this, mom…Mercedes needs rest, and the twins are going to be cranky."
Mercedes shook her head. "Actually, it's okay, Sam…I mean, as long as I can change and we can change the twins. I would rather get the meeting over with anyways." She said, which was true. If she didn't, she would probably be playing, meeting everyone in her head until she actually did it. And that was a stress she didn't need.
Mary nodded. "Everyone is waiting in the parlor so you two can go up to Sam's old room and change. Thank you for agreeing to this Mercedes I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable."
Mercedes nodded. "No problem."
Mercedes stared at herself in the mirror, taking a breath, and she smoothed down the off-the-shoulder, blush dress that came down to her thighs. Stepping into the matching heels, she heard someone clear their throat.
"Wow…you look…beautiful," Sam said, letting his eyes roam her body; that dress clung to every glorious curve, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Mercedes blushed, taking the hot rollers out of her hair, then brushed them to the side, letting them frame her face. She turned to Sam, and he frowned.
"You decided not to go with the purple or bright red lipstick?" Sam asked, seeing her natural makeup.
"I just wanted to make a good impression."
Sam shook his head, going to her bag then pulling out the red lipstick. "Baby, I told you I don't want you to change."
He opened the lipstick and pressed it against her lips. "You should wear whatever makes you feel like you."
She smiled, taking the lipstick, and finished applying it. Sam smiled as she turned back to him. "There she is, now are you sure you don't want to change that dress?"
"What's wrong with my dress?"
Sam smirked. "That dress makes me want to do something that I never got the chance to do in this room." He pulled her body against his. "But I am trying to behave, and I want you to know that I want you for you, not this very tempting and sexy body."
Mercedes leaned against him and sighed, "You are something special, Sam Evans."
Sam stared at her in the mirror. "No, that's you."
They stared at each other in the mirror for a few moments, Mercedes still in Sam's arms. Hearing one of the twins stir, they broke apart, and Mercedes grabbed Zach, who wore a pair of black pants and a blue shirt like his dad, while Sam picked up Zola, who wore a pink dress like her mother.
"Are you two ready to be fawned over," Mercedes asked.
Sam laughed. "Let's get this over with."
Mercedes followed Sam out of the room,