STOP RIGHT THERE! IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART 1, GO DO THAT (CHP. 14)!

I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ITS CHARACTERS BUT THIS ONE SHOT I DO!

ENJOY :)


"I'm just still in disbelief that it took you two months to let this man take you on a date."

"I hate to be one of the girls who points out this but it's hard to miss. He's a millionaire and I'm me. I was trying to make sure that he was not only serious, but genuine, which he is." She responded as she glanced at the woman over her shoulder, "For one, I'm not just letting anyone around my kids and two, I'm protecting my heart. I'm so weary of opening myself up again."

"First off, there's nothing wrong with you." She rolled her eyes, leaning forward to catch the applesauce with the spoon, gathering back up and placing it in Brooklyn's mouth, "And second, he technically may be considered one but my insider tells me that man forwards all his pay checks and other earnings to their custodian employees, homeless shelters and educational programs. The man lives in an apartment. Not one of those fancy big studio apartments. A regular apartment. Third, I understand you being cautious and there's nothing wrong with that."

Mercedes tighten the robs around her waist, staring at her in disbelief, disregarding most of what she said and focusing in on one, "Why and how do you know this?"

"I wasn't going to let you just go out with a stranger without deep diving, Mercedes." Paris stated matter of factly, "And I found absolutely nothing bad on this kid, so I'm relieved."

Mercedes shook her head as she left out and headed into her room to finish getting ready. She shouldn't be surprised but she in fact was. Her and Paris have been neighbors for about five years. When she first moved in, her and the woman hit it off right away, as to where Zach wasn't too fond of her because she of her filterless mouth and very, very opinionated about things.

"Where is he taking you anyways?"

Mercedes heard her call out as she slid into her heels, standing up from the bed, she walked over to spray some perfume on her as she answered, "Opening night of a Broadway show and dinner."

"Broadway? Opening night?" Paris whispered as she looked at the awaiting twins, "Dang, twinzies. He really likes your momma, huh?"

Looking at herself into the mirror, she took a deep breath before shaking off the last of her nervous. She was indeed nervous. She moved forward and turned off her light before walking back into the kitchen area, placing her phone in her clutch.

Paris looked up and her eyes went wide as she stared at her friend up and down, "You're going to give that man a heart attack. Damn."

She had on an sapphire blue satin long sleeved wrap dress paired with a pair of black block heel ankle tie straps sandals. Her curly hair was in half up, half down style, makeup naturally done, topped off with a clear, glossy lips, "Is it too much?"

"No, it's not. You look so stunning." A smirk appeared on Paris' face as she crossed her arms, "You definitely have easy access to your goodies, so there won't be any fumbling."

"Oh my...shut up. That's not happening."

"Why shouldn't it though? Two consenting adults...one thing leads to another. Plus, you need to get your garden watered, plucked and..."

Mercedes was thankful for the knock on the door, shaking her head, "Will you get that for me? And try to be on your best behavior."

"Can't guarantee." Paris got up from the chair and made her way to the door, looking out the peep hole before opening, coming face to face with the man of the hour.

Sam stared back at the woman and gave a smile, "Hey there, I believe I'm at the right place. Mercedes lives here right?"

"Yes, come on." She opened the door wider, letting the man, who was holding a bouquet of flowers step in. She closed the door behind him before turning back around, "I'm Paris, Mercedes' friend and neighbor."

"Sam. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise." She smiled as she looked at him then the flowers, "Interesting choice in flowers. May I ask why Pansies and Violas?"

"Subtle, more beauty in them. Not everyone like Roses and to me, they're just overrated."

Paris nodded her head, speechless because she was in fact impressed.

"Wow." He commented breathlessly as he stared at the woman behind her, "You look beautiful."

Mercedes smiled as she ducked her head a bit before internally lecturing herself to stay calm, "Thank you."

Sam almost forgot they weren't alone and that he was holding the flowers. Coming out of his daze, he handed the bouquet over to her, "These are for you and there's something in there for the girls too."

"Aw, thank you." Mercedes smiled, looking at the flowers, she noticed that packed in, were four little daisies and her heart instantly melted.

"Oh yeah, panties would be off and use of protection optional." Paris mumbled, earning a discreet jab in the side from her friend. She turned around when she heard fussing, grabbing the flowers from Mercedes, "I'm being summons. I'll put these in some water for you."

"Thank you." Mercedes watched as she nodded with a smirk, her eyes went back to Sam with a smile, "Just let me kiss my babies goodnight."

"Take your time."

Mercedes turned around, feeling his eyes on her as she headed back into the kitchen, giving Paris a look before she bent down and kissed both of her girls' cheeks, "Momma loves you."

Paris watched as she stood back up and grabbed her trench coat to put on, "Have fun."

"I will. I'll be back before one."

"Please stay out as long as you want...preferably until the morning. I don't mind watching the girls. Hell, I even clean if you do.

"Goodbye Paris."


"You took me by surprise, I'll admit."

Sam smiled a bit as he turned to look at her, "I've alway liked musicals, every since I was a kid. I always wanted to be in one too, but you know with two left feet and the nerve to not even carry a tune, there was no chance in hell."

Mercedes chuckled as his reasoning. Even thought it was cold outside, the two couldn't help but want to take a ride in one of the horse carriage ride in the city after the show. Wrapped up in their own coats, and a blanket thrown over both of them as they sat close to one another, they were simply enjoying their time...and much to Sam's surprise, their dinner as well.

"I never thought this would be the route for dinner."

"I'm a simple gal." She with a shrug as she brought the last piece of her pizza to her mouth. After the show, Sam had asked her where she wanted to go and she had chosen one of her favorite pizza spots. She could tell that it took him by surprise in a good way, "I have never been the type that had to go to fancy restaurants. I'm not paying fifteen dollars for one piece of lettuce on my plate, no thank you."

Sam couldn't do anything but smile at her. Not that he was comparing her because others couldn't dare to measure up, but she was definitely different from the rest, "You always wanted to be a caterer?"

"It may not be the career I wanted, but it's something that I have grown to love."

Mercedes snorted as she shook her head, "My dream was to become a chef."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"I let doubt get in the way." She admitted as looked at him in his eyes, "To understand me, you have to know that I've never been the one to have my shit together. I never planned ahead, I kind of go with the flow of things. Hence, never picturing myself where I'm at today. Single mother, two kids and no ring. I was raised to be married first then have children. My parents kind of disowned me for awhile because of it."

"Let me guess...once the girls were born, they had a change of heart."

Mercedes laughed a bit, "And once they found out what piece of shit their sperm donor was."

"His loss because he truly struck out on a beautiful, intelligent woman and some pretty amazing girls."

Mercedes stared at him, feeling the heat spread across her cheeks as she shook her head, thankful in a sense because she was freezing, but highly bashful because of his compliments, "You truly know how to make a girl feel good."

"Not a girl, a woman. You're a woman in every sense of the word and you should always feel better than good." He said as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek before wrapping his arm around her shoulders.


Sam forced a smile for what felt like the thousandth time today before he slipped away. One thing about him, he truly did dislike anything that involved being around a bunch of rich people who flaunted their money for no good reason. This brunch was the primary example of it. The only reason he was in attendance was because his parents had hired the same catering company, which made him happy. He was going to be able to see Mercedes. Wow. Its been a month since their date and two have been getting closer ever since. He really did admired her and they had created a bond. They were taking their time, as they both should, but he was ready for more. He came to a stop when he heard squealing, his eyes going over to the stairs, where he saw her daughter running to him, a woman calling out for her as she followed.

"Bronx."

Sam heard her giggles run out as she finally made it to him, arms lifted up with a smile on her face, "Where are you off to little missy?"

The woman looked at Sam and watched as he picked her up. She knew that it was okay because it definitely wasn't a secret that something was brewing between him and Mercedes, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm surprised she likes you, Bronx, I mean. She's most definitely isn't fond of a lot of people."

Sam chuckled a bit as he looked at her, "I can take her from here so you can go. I'll let her mom know."

Mercedes moved over to the other side of the counter so she get to the other tray. Today was busier than usual because they were indeed short staffed. They were managing but she couldn't wait until the last dish was served. She lifted the bottle over the glasses and began pouring, hearing a familiar voice behind her, she turned around quickly, only to find the tiny culprit giggling as she squished the man's cheeks together. Sitting the bottle down, she went over to them, "Zelle was suppose to be watching her."

"Bronx escaped when she saw me and I told her I could take her off her hands so she could get back to work ." Sam smiled at her, "Didn't know it was bring your daughter to work day."

"It's not. Brooklyn has a cold and I didn't want Bronx to catch it. I didn't have anyone else to watch her so..." She sighed as she looked at the man, her eyes going to the little girl, whose focus was on Sam's necklace as she played with it, "I know it's not a good look but..."

"Don't." He cut her off as he gave her a look, letting her know that she was doing nothing wrong, "It's a stupid brunch that doesn't need me. I can watch her."

"I couldn't let you do that."

"I wasn't asking you to." He raised a brow and shrugged, "Besides, it's my job to make sure to help my girlfriend in any way, so she doesn't stress herself out."

Mercedes stared at him for a moment, watching as a smile quirked at the corners of his mouth, "Girlfriend?"

"Would you be my girlfriend?" He asked as he raised Brooklyn up to hide his face, causing the little girl to squeal before he peaked around her shoulder to look at her mother, "Please?"

Mercedes couldn't believe this moment right now. Here she was with a man she met almost four months ago at his engagement party, now asking her to be his girlfriend. He was a man that was more than easy on the eyes. His caring nature is what drew her to him. Not only that, but her girls already was fond of him and he was amazing with them. The fact that he wanted to date a single mother with now ten month of twins was something that she was still in shocked by, "I'm a package deal, Sam."

"Duh, Mercedes." He said as he brought the little girl down and back into his arms, looking at the woman standing in front of him, "I have no problem with that, obviously."

"I don't want you to think that by dating me, I want you to play the father figure role. I don't."

Sam pursed his lips as he rolled his eyes, "Now I feel like you're really trying to find a way to escape this."

"I'm just being honest."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't know what I was getting myself into." He swayed from side to side, glancing down at Bronx before his eyes settled back on her mother, "I want this with you."'

Mercedes smiled at him then looked at her daughter, who was now laying her head on his shoulder. She leaned forward and rubbed her cheek before her gaze drew back to him and nodded her head. She was done questioning this. Done guarding her heart. She was willing to take a chance at a relationship then potentially love again.

After getting her non-verbal confirmation, Sam leaned down and kissed her gently on her lips before pulling back, smiling at her, "I'll see you when you get off."

Mercedes bit down on her bottom lip as she watched him walk away, turning around with a big smile on her face as she picked up the bottle to resume what she was doing. This was a different feeling of excitement and happiness. Something she hasn't felt romantically wise in a long time, and she couldn't wait for what was in store.


A/N. Just a little something for not updating in awhile! I've been so busy with life, but I hope y'all liked this!