"Wait"
Time Frame: Sunday Afternoon, May 10, 2020
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma / Tulsa, Oklahoma
Summary: Based on Maroon 5's Wait, sequel to "Love In The Dark".
Sam squinted as he rubbed his eyes slightly, trying to see if what he was seeing was correct. This couldn't be the way they were teaching these kids in second grade now. Equations? She was only in the second grade. What in the hell?
"It's fine if you don't know, I'll ask my Daddy when he calls on FaceTime."
"Just..wait a minute." He hushed the girl as he use the palm of his hand to gently push her away, her giggles running out loudly just as her mother entered the room.
"What's with all the laughing?"
"I'm helping little squirt with her homework." He cut his eyes when he heard her scoff, watching as she gave him a knowing look before getting off the couch.
"Yeah right, Uncle Sam." Virginia giggled as she grabbed her book and headed upstairs to her room.
Sam rolled his eyes at her before he grabbed the mail that he sat down earlier and scanned it, mumbling incoherently as he tossed out all of the junk mail for his cousin before he abruptly stopped, everything falling to the floor except the one thing he was holding.
Quinn turned around when he fell silent, eyebrow raising as she watched as he stared at something, "Why are you going through my mail anyways?" She walked over to the side of him when he didn't answer, eyes going to the invitation. She sighed before grabbing ahold of it.
"She's getting married tomorrow?" Even though he knew the answer because it was obvious, just hoping this was some kind of joke. He turned to look at the woman, watching as she sat down on the couch.
"Yes." She raised her eyes to look at him just in time to see the hurt, incredulous look on his face, "She broke things off with you, not me."
"But you're my blood. You're suppose to be on my side."
"It's your fault." Quinn quipped back as she stared at him, pointing out his misplaced anger, "If you would've stood up for yourself and told her the truth, you would be the one at the alter. You're also so damn stupid sometimes. The help? Really?"
"Don't keep reminding me and I didn't call her that, my mother phrase it that way, I just said that she helped around the house."
"That's even worse. Again, stand up to them pieces of shit of parents you got. I'm not sorry but I have never, ever had love for them from how they treat my parents." She started as she shook her head. Quinn's mother was Sam's mother sister and they were nothing alike and she was criticized for it. It still amazed her sometimes how they were kin.
Sam stayed quiet for a moment before tossing the invite back on the table, emotions and feelings that he thought he had buried down were bubbling back up to the surface. Sighing a bit, he turned his eyes back over to his cousin, "Were you going to tell me?"
"No." Quinn said honestly as she looked at him and shrugged, "You didn't even fight for her."
Sam nodded solemnly as he stood up from the couch, moving past her and going upstairs to say goodbye to his little cousin. Once he came back down, he put shoes on.
"Where are you going, Sam?"
"Home." He replied shortly as he stood back to his full height, going over to grab his keys from the kitchen counter. Once he made sure he had all his things, he headed for the door but not without the last words, still not facing his cousin as he opened the door, "And I did fight...more than you would ever know."
The chatter around the room flowed freely as the bride was helped getting prepared to walk down the aisle. Her mother placing the floral headband on her head that pushed the flowing, curly hair back. This was it, she was finally getting married and she couldn't for one believe it. She was introduce to her fiancé, Carter, by her mother at the end of 2017 at a Christmas party. She had no plans of getting back into the dating for awhile but her mother insisted. One date, led to ten before the two started dating in August of 2018 and he proposed a year later, leaving Mercedes pressured to say yes because both of their families were there. Carter wasn't a bad catch either. He was a lawyer, had his own house, no criminal record, handsome, and to Mercedes' mother...he was just perfect with no flaws.
They haven't been intimate yet, Mercedes wanting save herself until marriage...which was a lie because her and Sam had sex all the time and they were just boyfriend and girlfriend. Sam. She shrugged off the thought of him, what she had been unsuccessfully doing since that faithful night. No matter how she tried to forget it, she couldn't but she pushed it down enough to get to the point where she was right now. She came out of her thoughts when she heard someone say it was time. She looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. She could stop this if she wanted to but what was the point? Carter was a good enough man, conceded sometimes, but he's what her mother wanted. It should be what she wanted...right? After coming from the back, she saw her father and gave him a small smile as she looped her arm with his.
Quinn crossed her legs as she wrapped her arm around her daughter, watching as Mercedes walked down the aisle. She had to admit, after the conversation with her cousin yesterday, she was feeling extremely guilty for even showing up. She knew how much he loved this woman yet he made some stupid decisions. She wished they could've worked it out, but Mercedes didn't deserve the situation that she was in. She was happy for her, even if the man she was marrying wasn't her cousin but as the vows were being read, she couldn't help but feel like Mercedes was mechanically going through the motions.
Dirty looks from your mother
Never seen you in a dress that color, no
It's a special occasion
Not invited, but I'm glad I made it, oh
"If there's anyone who doesn't wish to see this couple together, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Mercedes smiled a smile as she looked up at the man in front of her, one that didn't reach her father nor Quinn's eyes but apparently everyone's else. It slowly begin to falter when she felt a tug at her heartstrings, all of sudden becoming hot and weak in the knees when she heard clear as day that one voice that she hasn't heard from in years.
"I object."
Quinn eyes went wide as her mouth dropped, turning her head around at the entrance door, "No, no, no." She stood up from where she was sitting, making her way to him. There stood her idiot cousin at the entrance of the church, "Sam, I swear on everything holy..."
Let me apologize
I'll make up, make up, make up, make up for all those times (all those times)
Your love, I don't wanna lose
I'm beggin', beggin', beggin', beggin', I'm beggin' you
"Not now, I have something to do." He told his cousin as he looked at her seriously before gently moving her aside and continuing to walk down the aisle, ignoring the mixed looks of the people.
"HELL NO!" Mercedes' mother exclaimed, asking for the Lord to forgive her for cursing up in his house. She stood up from her seat and made her way to the man, "You need to leave, right now."
Sam looked at the scolding brown eyes that was about to kill him right then and there, "No."
Carter, Mercedes' soon to be husband...or was he, looked at her then to the dirty blonde then back to her, "You know him?"
Mercedes couldn't speak. It was like she lost all ability in doing so. The only thing she could muster up the strength was to turn around away from the crowd, head down as she closed her eyes.
Virginia looked wide eyed between the adults, having no clue what was going on but by the looks of it, Ms. Cedes' mama did not like her cousin. What is objecting and why was he doing it?
Wait, can you turn around, can you turn around?
Just wait, can we work this out, can we work this out?
Just wait, could you come here please? 'Cause I wanna be with you
"Will you turn around...please?" He asked her, eyes watching on curiously at the two and the outcry of gasps when they heard his next words, "I need you to know how sorry I am and how much I love you."
Mercedes closed her eyes tightly, the tears cascading down her cheeks as she stared completely at the ground. This was not suppose to happen. She was not suppose to ever see him again yet here he was.
"You're not going to ruin this day or any parts of her life ever again. Leave, now. I won't hesitate to call the police."
Sam ignored her mother's words and overpowered her with his own strength as he walked forward, forcing her to let loose of his shirt. He moved even closer to where she was, only to be blocked by this asshole who was standing at the alter with her, "Mercedes."
"Look man, I don't know who you but you need to leave. I'm sure whatever past you and Mercedes had, it's over with. She's about to be my wife. Let it go." Carter glared at him, balling up his fist. How dare this man come and ruin his day.
Sam ignored him. He wasn't relevant. He looked at Mercedes, whose back was still turned, her mother's nagging long absent to his ears as he continued on his plea, "Mercedes, please turn around and please talk to me."
"For the love of God, please talk to Sam." Mercedes' Dad whispered, or so he thought, when the gasp escaped the people around him once again. There. He admitted it. He did not like this kid his daughter was about to marry. Not that he wasn't a respectful guy, he just wasn't fond of him. While he was beyond upset about the situation and was pissed for awhile, he liked Sam. His daughter has never been happier than when she was with him. Sam was far from like his parents and if he went through so much to keep Mercedes hidden, it had to be for a good reason. He had to admit, he should've reached out a long time ago to the man, but his wife was adamant that he just needed to disappear from their lives for good. It sounded good, but he wasn't for it. No matter how much his daughter pretended she was okay, she wasn't and he knew for a fact that she wasn't happy.
Mercedes eyes finally met his, tears spilled as she looked at him then at Carter, words that left everyone in shock, "I can't do this, I'm sorry." She dropped the bouquet and lifted up her dress, running out and past Sam as well, her mother hot on her trails.
"Go get your cousin." Quinn told her daughter, hoping that the presence of a child would stop any fight that would break out.
Carter was livid and pissed at his day being ruined. He stepped to Sam, only to stop when he saw the little blonde headed girl come up and grab his hand, tugging him away.
Sam let himself be guided out the church and led outside, down the steps and onto the sidewalk, his cousin words bringing him out of his thoughts.
"I honestly can't say I'm surprised but damn Sam, really?"
Sam didn't have time to listen to his cousin ridicule him. He was thinking with his heart and not his mind, so the thought of rationality was out the window when he saw the invite in her mail yesterday, "I have to find her."
"Sam...Sam, come back here." Quinn could barely get out before the man was running down the street. Sighing, she looked at her daughter, who was looking back at her curiously.
"Cousin Sam really loves Ms. Cedes, huh?"
Quinn just smiled at her seven year old, grabbing ahold of her hand as she nodded her head as she lead them to her car, "Yes, he really does."
Can we talk for a moment?
Got these feelings that I'm tired of holdin' on
Wasn't tryna get wasted
I needed more than three or four to say this, oh
Mercedes was missing and no one was able to find her. Well, that's not true. Sam did. When Sam first came to Tulsa to meet her family, she showed him one of her favorite getaways from her overbearing mother. It was a bar, about fifteen minutes away from the church. As he opened the door, he found her almost immediately, the bartender pouring her a glass as she sat on the stool. Contrary to what people may think, Sam did fight, eight straight months to be exact but gave up once she made it clear that they were done.
Mercedes felt his presence as soon as the door opened. She knew he would eventually find her and majority of her was hoping he did, while a tiny part of her didn't. She was on her second glass of whiskey when he took a seat beside her, hearing the bartender greet him and ask if he wanted something. After shaking his head, he left the two alone.
They sat in silence for a good ten minutes, Mercedes focused on the cup in front of her, Sam observing her. Neither one not wanting to speak first, but both deep down not knowing exactly how to start. What exactly do you say to a person you haven't spoke to in almost four straight years? Sam was the first to try.
"I'm not sorry for ruining this day...not until I know for sure that you're no longer in love with me." When she didn't respond, he continued, figuring that he was going to be doing all the talking, "I told my parents the truth about us and in return they told me I was dead to them. I don't care though, because as long as you're okay, I am. They were going to ruin your reputation, tarnish your name and make it impossible for anything you did. I couldn't let that happen to you. I know it's not an excuse and I should have told you instead doing what I did, but I wasn't thinking rationally. To prevent them from doing anything, I recorded the threats, turn them in to my lawyer and got a restraining order. They won't be getting to you or me, regardless if we're together or not." Sam felt himself getting emotional as he looked down at his hands, tears welling up in his eyes, "I just wasn't thinking."
You say I'm just another bad guy
You say I've done a lot of things I can't undo
Before you tell me for the last time, yeah
I'm beggin', beggin', beggin', beggin', beggin' you
"I may have implied it but I never called you the help. Not that it makes it any better and now that I'm here, I really see how selfish I am and once again, I'm ruining your life." Sam sniffled as he wiped the tears away, trying his best not cry anymore, "I love you so much, Mercedes. So much. If nothing else comes from this, I just want you to know that I truly do love you and I'm so, so sorry for hurting you the way I did."
Mercedes watched as he leaned forward but stopped himself, shaking his head as he probably figured he had no right. She watched as he got off the couch and started to walk away, "Sam."
Sam immediately turned around when he heard the faint whisper of his name rolling off her tongue for the first time since he has been here, her eyes meeting his with a solemn expression, "Yes?"
Mercedes nibbled at the corner of her mouth before she got up from where she was sitting. She cleared her throat as she looked at him, "I believe you, I do and I should've given you a chance to explain but I was hurt. Four years ago, all I saw was red and I was hurt. I wanted to forget you and although it look like did..." Mercedes gestured to the dress she was still in, shaking her head, "I didn't. I tried to force this relationship into being something more, but it was something my mom wanted. In a way, I have to thank you for showing up because I was really about to pull the dumbest thing I have ever done and that was marrying someone who I wasn't in love with and knew I would never, ever truly be in love with. And for what? All because I never stopped loving you despite everything. I want nothing more than to jump in your arms and kiss you until the sun comes up but I can't. At least...I won't right now. I need to go properly dump my ex-fiancé and I just need a night by myself to take in everything."
Sam nodded his head understandably, watching as she did the same while a tiny smile appeared on her lips before she grabbed her phone and keys. She started to make her way pass him but ultimately stopped when she got back in front of him, space now limited. Sam was about to move to the side to let her through but she had surprised him when she leaned up and placed her lips on his. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, which led to her wrapping her arms around his neck.
Mercedes instantly melted comfortably in his arms, tilting her head upward to deepen the kiss. This was the only man she loved. The only man she wanted to marry. Although she was disappointed from the past, she was willing to forgive him in the present, so they could have a future. She wanted that with him.
Feeling himself having trouble breathing, he pulled back breathlessly, leaning his forehead against hers as he tried to regain composure. His eyes met hers, a smile taking over his lips as he leaned forward and lazily pressed a kiss to her lips, "I'm never letting you go ever again. That's a promise I intend to keep."
"I'm counting on it." She whispered as she kissed him once more before stepping back, clearing her throat once she realized that they had made a scene in the bar that was full and the people had been watching on curiously. Her eyes met his again with a smile, "Meet back here tomorrow at three."
"Yes ma'am." Sam watched as she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek, hearing her whisper those three little words back made him the happiest man alive.
"I love you too."
And with that, she left out the bar, smiling a true real smile that has been in hiding for four years. Truth was, so many lessons were learned. A lesson of being honest, a lesson of listening, a lesson of communication and a lesson of never giving up on someone you truly love no matter how long it takes.
Wait, can you turn around, can you turn around?
Just wait, can we work this out, can we work this out?
Just wait, could you come here please? 'Cause I wanna be with you
