SONG USED: CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE BY JANELLE MONAE
I DO NOT OWN THIS SONG
Enjoy lovebugs.;)
A month had passed and Mercedes and Sam were going strong. They had designated date nights, and because they worked so closely together they saw each other all the time. Fridays were prime date nights because typically Mercedes had finished the bulk of her work throughout her week and on Friday she was sifting through emails and Congress papers. Now though they tried to keep their relationship a secret most of the people who worked in the White House already suspected the budding romance, and none of them seemed to be bothered by it so everything worked out perfectly.
Mercedes's mother Francine, was in rehab for a second time trying to get herself together and you could tell the first couple of weeks it weighed heavily on Mercedes's mind. If she wasn't in her face working on presidential assignments she was calling her mother and emailing her doctors trying to make sure everything went ok. After much coaxing from everyone close to her, Mercedes was able to loosen her reigns and fully trust the process, which turned out to be a success because now Francine was expected to be back in the White House at the end of the week.
Mercedes, Santana, and Jane decided to have girls' lunch out in the city of Washington where they headed to a private restaurant that was perfect for them not to be hassled by supporters or haters. They giggled with each other and started catching each other up on what was going on in their lives.
"Wait a minute, you and Brittany are dating?" Jane questioned surprised because Santana had said in college that she would never ever date.
"Yep, we have been, well in actuality we've been screwing each other since we met at the dinner the first night we were here. We just started putting labels on the relationship about two weeks ago." Santana explained.
Mercedes began, "How in the hell did we miss that?"
"Shit because you have been getting very acquainted with a bodyguard who has lips that rivals Lisa Rinna's," Santana smirked.
"Yeah what has been going on with you and Sam?" Jane added.
Mercedes blushed, "Well we have been having fun, I like his company and he likes mine and slowly we are starting to jump into the serious side of the relationship. Um, he actually asked me to meet his mother this weekend,"
"OMG, Mercedes that is great are you going to go!" Jane cheered.
"I told him, yes, and we both agreed that it would be nice considering he has already met my mother."
"What about his father?" Santana questioned.
"He doesn't speak much about him, he says that they aren't close after the divorce." Mercedes explained.
"Hmm well, that sucks," Jane said.
"It does but it's ok so Jane what about you and Roderick?"
"We have actually decided to elope in a few months. Trying to be a part of the political circuit and plan weddings is hard so we decided t have a small ceremony in Hawaii and then somewhere along the line we will have the wedding we actually wanted," Jane answered.
"Aww that is perfect and the place is going to be so pretty," Mercedes cheered.
"Yep, so make sure everyone knows that we won't be in office for about a week," Jane announced. The trio kept up the pleasant conversation before they had to head back to the White House. Upon arrival, Mercedes headed upstairs to her bedroom where Sam Evans was waiting for. He sat on the bed with the suitcase already packed.
"Now Sam, I can perfectly pack for this trip," Mercedes smiled as she walked over to him and kissed him on the lips. Sam accepted the kiss and pulled her down on his lap.
"I know, I know but I wanted to do it for you," Sam replied.
Mercedes scoffed, "Then that means there are barely any clothes in my suitcase," Mercedes stood from his lap and looked down in the case and sure enough her suspicions were correct. She removed the items from the suitcase and placed the clothes she already planned for in the suitcase instead.
"Now you Ms. President are no fun," Sam pouted as he looked at her actions.
"Awe you'll be ok, so is there anything that I need to prepare myself for before meeting your mother" Mercedes questioned. Sam inwardly winced when Mercedes asked that question. He knows that at this moment that he should tell Mercedes about his estranged brother, and her republican political enemy, J.J.. But he didn't want to ruin the surprise and he didn't want for Mercedes to think that he was just like his brother. A bigot who flaunted his privilege and was more ignorant than a box of rocks. He needed Mercedes to see that he had taken after his sweet, caring mother, and always willing to do something for the less fortunate, and recognized the racial prejudice in this world. He needed Mercedes to believe in him and who he was, which is why he refused to tell her about his brother.
"No, nothing at all, she is super loving and fun, in fact, she actually voted for you," Sam smiled.
"Awe that is sweet, alright so since we are already packed up that means we head out tomorrow."
"Yep bright and early in the morning Ms. President," Sam said as he pulled her close and gave her a kiss.
"If your mother is anything like you I think we are going to have an amazing weekend," Mercedes whispered against his lips.
The next morning Mercedes and Sam had made it on the plane as it took them to Concord, New Hampshire. they had slept most of the flight due to how early they had gotten up but when they arrived there was a car to escort them to Mary Evans's residence. Mercedes was in the car checking her makeup and placing strands of hair behind her ear when Sam grabbed her hand and placed it on his lap.
"Hey everything is going to be fine I promise," Sam said as he looked at her and gave her a smile. Mercedes smiled back and leaned on his shoulder as they rode in comfortable silence. At some point, they were making their way up this private winding road that led to this marvelous mansion that had a guest house and a small cottage on the side.
"Sam, this place is gorgeous does she stay here by herself?"
"She bought it some time after her and dad's divorce. The guest house and cottage house is where she houses people who aren't on their feet. She hosts charity balls here and hosts grand dinners, especially during the holiday season for the less fortunate." Sam explained.
"Wow this is amazing," Mercedes marveled. The car pulled into the driveway and Sam and Mercedes exited the car. As they stood to gather their bags Mary Evans bounded out of the door in her gardening attire and walked up to them.
"Welcome, welcome to my home. Ms. President, it is my honor to meet you," Mary announced.
"Mom calm down you are going to scare her away," Sam joked.
"Oh shut up Sammy, and get the bags." Mary jeered at her son.
"It is my pleasure to meet you as well Ms. Evans."
"Oh dear, please call me Mary,"
"Only if you call me Mercedes,"
"Oh we are going to get along very well, please let me show you around," Mary insisted. They walked into the house and Mary showed her the first floor which encompassed a chef's kitchen, a living room, a sitting room, a library, a game room, and much more amenities. Then the second floor had Mary's room and a slew of guest bedrooms and bathrooms.
"This is an amazing home you have here."
"Why thank you, here I'll go freshen up, and then we can have dinner. My chef, Patrick Fitz should already be preparing dinner for us," Mary said. Mercedes headed into the living room while Mary went to her bedroom and grabbed a photo album and took a seat on the couch. She flipped threw the photos recognizing Sam and Mary and smiled at herself at the few pictures she saw of his father. They seemed like a lovely family and she wondered what had caused the friction between them.
"Hey what are you looking at?" Sam questioned as he came into the room.
"Um one of your mother's photo albums you were a cute kid," Mercedes smiled.
"Why thank you, so before dinner starts, I was thinking of taking you to one of my old spots as a kid," Sam suggested.
"I would love that," Mercedes replied. With a big smile on his face, Sam gave his hand to Mercedes and the two left the house promising to be back in time for dinner. They drove through the twisting roads of New Hampshire until they pulled into an old barn with a few cars out in the front with a couple of lights on.
"This spot looks lowkey," Mercedes began as she and Sam exited the car.
"One of my favorite spots to sneak off and go to when I first started coming here," Sam replied. They headed into the bar and then an old bartender with sepia-shaded skin and long dreads in a ponytail turned towards Sam.
"Sam, it has been too long my friend," He cheered.
"I missed you two Karter," Sam smirked as they gave each other a bro hug.
"Mercedes, Karter, Karter, Mercedes. Karter's dad used to run this spot before he retired a few years ago, and Karter decided to follow in his footsteps." Sam explained.
"It is nice to meet you," Mercedes greeted him with a warm smile.
"Great meeting you, you really gave some us here hope." Karter smiled.
"I hope I can do my part,"
"Trust me some of us know it is going to be hard for you to do, but enough about that what can I get you,"
"I'll have a vodka tonic," Mercedes replied.
"Great I'll have that up for you in the minute." Mercedes sat down on the barstool as Sam took a seat beside her. She looked around and noticed there was a stage for karaoke and a couple of patrons scattered about the building as the doors opened for more people to fill the place for the night.
"This place kind of reminds me of Ruby's from that one Angela Bassett movie," Mercedes spoke.
"Huh," Sam questioned.
"Ruby's Bar of Blood, a movie where they live in the deep south and run a bar in the upstairs of their house. Angela Bassett falls for this white dude and he does the same after her husband ups and leaves the family. They were in love with each other and probably would have lived a great life but his wife who stopped taking her meds came and shot him after they finished making love. So she took her daughter and they headed north to move on."
"I have never seen that movie."
"You also still haven't seen The Best Man, so are any of us really surprised," Karter added causing Mercedes to gape at Sam.
"You have never seen the Best Man, Sam it is literally the epitome of drama," Mercedes pressed.
"He also hasn't seen the Tina biographical," karter added.
"Shut the hell up and pour the goddamn drinks and clean the glasses," Sam said as he cut his eyes at his friend.
"Hmm, if you insist, so I have invested this new shot called Karter's Kaveman, what it is 3 shots of tequila, four shots of vodka, a sprinkle of fireball hsikey, and a slight dash of lemon and lime with a hint of jack daniels. Guaranteed to put the hair on your chest." As KArter explained his concoction he poured two tall shots of it and placed them in front of Sam and Mercedes.
"Awe hell you only live once," Mercedes sighed. Without thinking she grabbed the shot and downed it in one gulp coughing and trying to catch her breath at the mix of alcohol.
"I like her Sam I like her a lot." Karter smiled as he made another shot.
"You have to be careful Karter can be off his rocker at times,"
"It's ok, so do you want to go up there and sing a little tune."
"Yes please." Mercedes rushed to the stage and picked a song and grabbed the mic as the music started to flow.
Take me, take my letters, take my photos, take the sun
You can take my heart
'Cause I ain't gonna need it on the run
I've been trying to work it out
But my words fall right apart, baby
I'll leave, oh, don't you know
I can't deal with the hurt anymore
Baby, don't leave
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (no, I can't sleep)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (I can't eat, oh no, no)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (I can't breathe)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
Autumn (autumn), autumn's coming round
And summer's not the same
It's like winter without your smile (it's like winter without your smile)
I spent some time just thinking to myself
I picked up one of your photos, and I put it right back on the shelf
Now I can't eat
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (no, no, no, I can't breathe)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (ooh no, I can't eat)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (oh no, I can't breathe)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
I can't be a day without your smile
You're the one for me but all the while
I just think that we should give all our love
Give love, love, love, love, love (baby)
I can't be a day without your smile
You're the one for me but all the while
I just think that we should give all our love
Give love, love, love, love, love (baby)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (no, no, no, I can't sleep)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (hey now, I can't eat)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love (no, babe, I can't sleep)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
Baby, baby, I can't eat
Baby, baby, I cannot live
Baby, baby, uh
Baby, baby, I cannot eat
Baby, baby
Baby, baby, I cannot
Baby, don't you know
Baby, baby
They say love is patient, love is kind
Love ain't never did a thing to mine
Love ain't weak, love is strong
Love be telling my heart don't go
I say love is patient, love is kind
Love ain't never did a thing to mine
Love ain't weak, greater than pride
I can't live without your love
I can't be a day without your smile
You're the one for me but all the while (I can't be without your love)
I just think that we should give all our love
Give love, love, love, love, love (love)
I can't be a day without your smile
You're the one for me but all the while
I just think that we should give all our love
Give love, love, love, love, love (love is telling my heart no, no)
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
Baby, don't you know, I can't live without your love
Once Mercedes had finished her song she took a slight bow at the patron's applause and grabbed a celebratory shot from Karter.
"Karter, you need to relax with these Kavemans," Mercedes breathed out.
"That was a wonderful performance, Ms. President," Sam grinned.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sam," She said sweetly as she kissed him on the lips. She had a feeling that this weekend was going to be perfect and that nothing could destroy it.