DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE BUT THIS STORY I DO!
ENJOY :)
Sam had been watching him ever since he entered the store. Funny thing was, he had a feeling that something wasn't right all day and him being here just proved his feeling right. When he thought about it, realization dawned on him. Today marked two years. Two years since the separation. Two years that he went away. Taking a deep breath, he pushed through to finish the shift he didn't have too long to go and knowing that the reunion was going to be short lived.
Attention shoppers, our store will be closing in ten minutes. Our store will be closing in ten minutes, thank you.
Once he had finished what he needed to do in the front, he started to walk into the direction he went in, checking the aisles and finding him sitting on the floor. He loosen his tie and went to where he was, sliding down to sit next to him, "You can't keep doing this."
"I know." The pre-teen whispered as he looked up and his lips began to quiver as more tears ran down his cheeks, "I miss you, Dad."
"I miss you too, Austin." He said sadly as he leaned over and wiped his tears, trying his best to keep his own emotions in tact, "Don't cry, everything's going to be okay."
"I just want to be with you."
"I know but you just can't right now and I know that's not what you want to hear but son…it won't be long."
Austin wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, shaking his head, "It isn't fair."
The woman looked at the tracker on her phone as she parked in front of the store. Sighing once she realized where she was, turning off her engine and opening her door. She looked at the time and made her way to the door when she saw the woman on the other side heading to it as well. She got in just before she was about to lock up, watching as she gestured her head upward.
"They're in aisle four."
"Thanks." She said as she moved passed her, walking until she heard the sounds of their voices. She stopped when she saw him sitting next to the man on the floor with a bag of chips and Oreos opened, his face red and stained tears.
Sam looked up when he heard footsteps coming close to them, knowing that it was her before then, "Hey Mercedes."
"Hi." She responded softly, her eyes going over to the boy, who wouldn't even look at her as his eyes stayed trained to the ground, "Austin, you can't be running away like that. It's dangerous."
"I'm sorry."
"Come on. I have to get you back."
Sam watched as more tears spilled from his eyes before he leaned over and squeezed him tightly in a hug, pressing a kiss to the side of his head, "I love you, son."
"I love you too." He whispered as he gave him one final squeeze before letting go. He stood up from the ground and took the key from Mercedes that she was holding out before walking off.
Mercedes crossed her arms over her chest as she watched him, making sure that he headed for her car. Once he was securely in there, she looked away from the window and back to the man with sad eyes, "I know how hard this is and I want nothing more for you two to be reunited."
"And I know that's not possible right now. I have a long ways to go before I can be the father he deserves."
"It takes time and the judge will see how much progress you have made." Mercedes placed a hand on his shoulder, "You're doing great, honestly. You have a steady job, which you just got a promotion to manger, a place to live, you're attending your meetings and therapy sessions regularly, and you're going back to school, which is amazing. You're on the right track, Sam."
"Thanks. You have no idea how much it means to hear that." He rubbed the back of his neck before leaning his head back against the shelves, "All of my family have turned their backs on me. You and Austin are the only people who hasn't."
"I would never." She said with sincerity in her voice, "You're a great person, Sam."
Sam turned his gaze to look at her. She has always been there for him since the beginning and he was grateful to have someone like that in his corner, "And you're an even better person."
Mercedes gave him a soft smile, holding out her hand, "Your past doesn't define you, don't forget that. Just hang in there a little bit longer"
Sam sighed as he grabbed ahold of her hand so he could stand up from the floor, dusting himself off before he stared down at her, "Do you think I have a chance at getting my custody back?"
"I know you do."
Sam smiled at her as he continued to look at her, "So, are you still going to think about what I asked you? You know, after all of this, of course."
Mercedes stared at him for a minute before realization dawned on her. She chuckled lightly at the memory of another conversation that they had last month. Turning on her heels and not answering his question, "Goodnight, Sam."
"You still didn't answer." He watched as she glanced over her shoulder briefly and smiled before leaving out of his view. He came out the aisle and watched her exited out the store and to her car. He saw Austin looked out the window and waved at him before the two drove away.
