So thanks for the love, I am so happy you guys love this, Fake Engagement and The Elite. I love Samcedes and those stories are getting me through. This chapter turned out longer, as well as got me on a role for the next chapter. Anyways I love your reviews. I love knowing that you guys are out here going strong. Stay safe and blessed. Y'all not ready.


Mercedes glanced down at her hands as the car arrived. She didn't know what to expect. Sam had invited her to the wedding, and she wasn't sure she should go, but something about Sam just made her want to take a leap of faith with him. She swallowed hard, stepping out, and smoothed down her burgundy wrap-around dress. Her hair fell in deep waves, her make-up subtle, and her heels clicked against the ground as she stepped up to the church stairs.

Sam had told her that he would meet her out front, and she had texted him to let her know she was almost there.

Someone came behind her, and she turned, feeling a hand on her backside. "Excuse you."

Brody smiled. "I apologize, I was tempted over the weekend, and I guess my temptation got the best of me."

Mercedes frowned. "I don't like to be touched."

"Unless it's by Sam, right? Must feel real good being a homewrecker and all."

Brody moved closer to her. "Tell me, did Evans get a taste? Did he get to experience all Vixen had to offer?" His hand trailed down her arm, and she backed away from him.

"Stay away from me. I am only warning you one last time." She turned and walked towards the entrance of the church, shaken at her encounter. But then Sam walked out in his tux, and she couldn't help but smile at the wide grin on his face.

"You made it!"

She nodded. "I said I would."

"I know, but it was a big ask."

Brody walked by, catcalling Mercedes, and she frowned. Sam took her hand. "Ignore him; he's an ass. Sorry Lord, but you know it's true, you made him."

He linked his arms in hers. "Can I escort you to your seat?"

"Yes." She breathed. But it was short-lived as a short angry woman stood at the doorway. "Samuel, I have been looking all over; who is this?"

Sam stood tall. "Rachel, get a clue."

That was all he said as he pushed past her and lead Mercedes to the front.

"The front, Sam? I can't."

"You can. You are my beautiful guest, and I want to see you." He kissed her cheek and left as he promised to come back. She sat alone, taking her phone out and texting Santana.

Mercy: This was a mistake.

San: What's going on now?

Mercy: Well, you convinced me to come here to this wedding, and I feel stupid.

San: Are you wearing the dress we picked out?

Mercy: Of course, and that loser Brody put his gross hands on me. I almost broke his hand clear off.

San: He touched you? And he's breathing?

Mercy: Right! But Sam came out looking so hot, and he was so sweet that I didn't tell him. And now I am sitting here minding my business trying to will this wedding to start. I am so out of place.

San: You aren't. Just be yourself, and they will love you. You never take chances; you never do something for yourself. So enjoy the wedding, have slutty wedding sex with Sam, and bring your hot butt back here.

Mercy: San!

San: What? Don't act like you don't want to.

Mercy: I gotta go. I think it's about to start

San: Good luck. Have fun

Mercedes put her phone down and looked to the front, getting ready for the wedding, when an older blonde woman sits next to her. "Is this seat taken?"

Mercedes shook her head. "No, please sit."

The woman sat next to her and smiled. "Are you a friend of the bride or groom?"

"Umm, not quite sure; I was invited by a guy."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Really, a guy invited you to his friend's wedding? That's romantic. Have you been dating long?"

"No, we actually, well we met last week, and we've talked every day since, and he asked me to come. So I am kinda feeling out of place."

"Well, you look beautiful."

Mercedes smiled. "You do as well. Are you friends of the Bride or Groom?"

"Groom, he and my son have been best friends since forever."

Mercedes nodded. "I have friends like that. It's a special thing."

The woman nodded. "So, this guy, are you in love?"

Mercedes blushed. "It's too soon to tell, but honestly, I could fall in love with him. He's so sweet and kind. Gentle. I told him I wanted to take things slow, and he accepted me, and we cuddled all night. He's not like other guys."

"Why do I sense a butt?"

"Girl's like me, don't get guys like him. He's a keeper, and I am…."

"You are what, dear?"

Mercedes exhaled. "I am an exotic dancer. I don't sleep with men or strip down to nothing, but I dance for them. I am trying to move away from it, but I will always be seen as that and nothing more. Great guys like him, eventually they will see that we don't work."

"You know what I think? I think you are scared that this might be real and he could love you too. That you aren't good enough."

"Would you want your son dating someone like me?"

"A sweet, honest, and caring woman who appreciates him? Who could love him? Yes, I would. We aren't defined by our pasts; we are defined by our futures."

Mercedes gave a small smile as Rachel walked by, giving her a side-eye. Mary smirked. "She doesn't like you."

"No, she doesn't, and honestly, I don't care. She thinks I stole her boyfriend."

"You are here with Sam?"

Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "You know Sam?"

Before Mary could respond, the music started, and she felt it was rude to talk throughout it. Then, seeing Sam standing up there, smiling at her. Looking delicious in his Grey tux, it made her realize how smitten with him she really was.


Sam stared at Mercedes, wanting nothing more than to run to her. Keep her in his arms forever, though he was surprised to see her sitting next to his mom. As the ceremony continued and they talked about love, he couldn't help but let his eyes9 fall to hers. She had his heart, and he wasn't going to give that up. He would move to Vegas or L.A. or where ever she was just to be with her. But, come hell or high water, he wasn't giving her up.

As Artie kissed his bride and they all walked down, Sam searched for Mercedes, standing off to the side as she helped his mom up; the two exchanged a few words, then she hugged her, and Sma smiled to himself. His mom passed him and smirked. "Wait till I tell your dad about this one."

Sam smiled. "What do you think about her?"

"I think like father like son. And I think she is lovely. So bring her over if you have time before you leave."

Sam hugged her. "You aren't going to the reception?"

"No, I am heading up to Boston. Remember, your dad is already there with the twins. Which reminds me, you are going to make it to the graduation, aren't you?"

Sam nodded. "Of course, mom, I wouldn't miss it. Heading out the day after tomorrow."

She looked past him to Mercedes. "You should invite her. I can't wait for your dad to meet her."

Sam blushed, shaking his head. "Bye mom, I love you."

She kissed Sam's cheek and went off to find Arite before she left. Sam moved towards Mercedes and smiled. "Well, you looked even more breathtaking every time I see you."

"So...that was your mom?"

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Did she tell you that?"

She shook her head. "No, I figured it out the moment I saw you come out; you guys have the same eyes. She's really great, though I might have told her what I do."

"And what did she say?"

"All good things." Mercedes smiled.

"She likes you, just like her son."

Mercedes blushed as Sam pulled her close to him. "THink you wanna have mercy on me and kiss me, so I don't ruin the reception distracted by you?"

She laughed. "Oh, so either I kiss you, or I get blamed for ruining everything?"

Sam wrapped his arms around her waist and nodded. "Yep."

She wrapped her own arms around his neck. "Well, it can be one of my gifts to the bride and groom."

Sam pressed his lips against hers and melted completely. He wanted to keep it G. P.G. most but with his hands wanting to explore her body. Things were rapid. Changing.

Sam pulled away. His forehead on hers. "God, I love kissing you."

She smiled. "Your lips are perfect."

He shook his head. "No, they are only perfect against yours."

Sam stared at her, searching her eyes for anything that could make him stop falling for her, but all he saw was love pouring out from her to him, and he knew he was in trouble, and he loved it.

Taking her hand, he walked with her into the reception area; the whole wedding was beautiful, but having their reception outside near the waters, was just beautiful. As Mercedes and Sam made their way in, Sam was on the air; he led her to their table; he had convinced Artie to let them sit together, which meant she was at the head table. Introducing her around, she seemed to win everyone over with a smile, including Arite's new wife Tina, who linked arms with Mercedes and stole her from Sam.

Seeing his best friend stare as Mercedes and Tina giggled over something, Artie patted Sam's back.

"Still can't believe you invited her here. But you were right, she is perfect for you. And, and don't you dare tell my wife, but she sexy too."

Sam grinned. "She met my mom."

"I saw them together; how did that go?"

"Mom wants me to bring her to the graduation."

Artie snorted, shaking his head. "She really does just fit in here, doesn't she?"

Sam nodded. "I don't even feel like it's been a few days. I feel like I have known her forever."

Artie was about to say something with his wedding planner, who happened to be Mike's wife, who came over. "Artie the D.J. is here, but the singer you hired to sing your first song and to sing with you, she isn't."

"Well, where the hell is she?"

"Stuck in traffic an hour away. We have your first dance coming up, and I know you both wanted a live performance."

Sam could see Artie was freaking out, so he took charge. "Artie, give me 5 minutes, and you and your bride will be dancing."

"Sam, unless your name is Adele, you can't help. Tina specifically wanted that song."

"And she will get to dance to it, okay."

"And what about At last? You know I wanted to dedicate that to her."

"Quinn, go put a chair out and have Tina sit so that Artie can serenade his wife. Artie, come with me."

Sam gently excused Mercedes from Tina and took her to the stage with Artie.

"Sam, what's happening?"

Sam sighed, "Do you know "Make you feel my love and At last?" He asked hopefully.

She laughed. "Adele and Etta James? Of course, I know them. Why?"

"Mercedes, you being here has been everything I could ever want, and I feel so bad asking you for this, but..." He sighed. "the singer Artie hired isn't here; Artie and Tina have their first dance coming up, and before it, Artie wanted to dedicate a song to her. So I need you to sing it."

She folded her arms. "Are you crazy?"

"Crazy about you? Yes, obviously. But I have heard you sing, you are incredible, and they deserve incredible. I know you don't know them, and this is a lot to ask, but please."

She smiled, seeing the look on both of their faces. "Artie, you let me come to your wedding, and Tina is so amazing. I think we were separated at birth. And you Sam, well you can pay me back in kisses."

"You'll do it?"

She nodded, and he pulled her to him, kissing her. "Thank you."

Sam pulled her up to the stage, and Sam took the mic.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if everyone would gather around." Sam smiled. "Artie has something he would like to say to his bride, so I would like to introduce Artie Abrams and Ms. Mercedes Jones here to perform for one night only."

Sam handed her the mic and turned his phone on, which was hooked to the speaker.

Mercedes smiled as the D.J. started the music. "Just follow my lead, Artie." She said, and he nodded nervously. She glanced at Sam and let her emotions for him fill the room.

"At last...my love has come along, my lonely days are over, and life is like a song. Ooooh Yeah."

Artie stepped up and smiled at Tina.

"Oh, yeah, at last, the skies above are blue; my heart was wrapped up in clover. The night I looked at you."

Mercedes looked over to Sam as Artie smiled at Tina. They began to harmonize like they had sung together for years or in another universe. "And I found a dream that I could speak to a dream that I can call my own. I found a thrill to press my cheek to a thrill that I have never known. Oh, yeah, yeah, and you smile, you smile. Oh, and then the spell was cast, and here we are in Heaven, for you are mine at last."

As the song ended, everyone applauded while Artie hugs Mercedes. "You are amazing, thank you."

"Not so bad yourself." She said.

Tina ran into Artie's arms, kissing him deeply. Sam blew her a kiss, and she smiled, blowing him one back. She cleared her throat.

"And now it's time for the Bride and Groom to have their first dance."

The D.J. started the song, and she took a deep breath. "When the rain is blowing in your face, and the whole world is on your case. I could offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love." Sam glanced at her, and she smiled his way singing to him. "When the evening shadows and the stars appear, and there is no one there to dry your tears, I could hold you for a million years to make you feel my love. I know you haven't made your mind up yet, but I would never do you wrong. I've known it from the moment that we met, no doubt in my mind where you belong."

She blushed, closing her eyes. "I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue, I'd go crawling down the avenue.

No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love." She hummed along to the music before moving to Sam. "The storms are raging on the rolling sea and on the highway of regret. Yet, though winds of change are throwing wild and free, you ain't seen nothing like me yet. I could make you happy, make your dreams come true. Nothing that I wouldn't do." She took his hand in hers. Go to the ends of the Earth for you and make you feel my love, to make you feel my love."

She didn't even hear the crowd applauding or the clinking of the glass for Tina and Artie to kiss. Instead, all she felt was Sam's arms around her, his lips on her, and someone taking the mic before she dropped it as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Beautiful," Sam said breathlessly.

"The song, or me?" She questioned.

"Both." He said, kissing her with all abandon. His arms tugging her closer, wanting her more than anything or anyone. He nipped at her lip as he pulled away.

"Excuse me, I have a toast to make." Sam heard, and he pulled away to see Rachel standing on stage with a glass in her hand.

"For those who don't know, I am Rachel Berry, and I have known Artie and Tina for 10 years. So color me surprised when the singer they chose didn't show, and they didn't ask me. A trained singer to perform for them."

She swayed a bit to let Sam know she was drunk. "I could have gone to broadway. But no, I stayed here and lost Jesse." She frowned then looked at Sam. "Then I got you, Sam, and I figured you were no Jesse, but I could make you into a man worthy of me. And I have for the last two years worked on you fixing everything that was wrong with you. Those stupid impressions, for one. You guys are welcome. I am the one who stopped them,"

Sam tensed his feet, not letting him move to the stage as Rachel continued. "Then he goes to Vegas for a guy's night and leaves me here alone, defenseless, and what does he do. He falls for a stripper. That's right, you just applauded and awed a damn stripper from las Vegas. Like she has anything on me."

Brody walked to the stage, trying to get her off of it, but she pulled away. "And Tina, Artie knew! I bet he was one of the many Brody told me she let ride her that night. He said you were a nasty one too. How much did they pay you, Mercedes? How much did my boyfriend pay you to suck his d-"

The mic went off, Mike had tugged it out of the socket, but the damage was done. Mercedes could see all eyes on her, and all she could do was run; that's what she wanted to do, and that is what she would do.