I am so excited that you guys love this story. I do too! I wanna thank you guys for all that love that you showed and the reviews ugh, you make my heart sing. I also wanna thank Whoknowstv and Keshbeast for your love and support!

You all are why I write, And ugh, I just love ya so much. I gotta stop gushing, or ima get emotional. You keep me wanting to bring you stories. So from the bottom of my heart, I love you.


June 4th, 2016


Mercedes steam-pressed the dress in front of her, wanting this weekend to be perfect. When Kurt first told her about his dream wedding, she was sure more than half of it wouldn't get done, but with them both pulling a few strings, he was able to have his perfect June Wedding at the Plaza. And while she was sure Blaine would just about marry him anywhere, she knew Kurt liked to add flare to everything he did.

When she left Sam's place two years ago, she went to her hotel room and cried. Calling Kurt and the girls, she explained everything to them, and they pretty much played rock paper scissors to see who would come to L.A. to support her. Thank goodness it was Kurt because had Santana gone, she was confident there would have been a murder.

He and Blaine showed up and facilitated picking up Ari, so she didn't have to see Sam when he was in town. And who would come with her when she took the trip to L.A. so he could see their daughter and she could work. She also made it known if Sam was going to be dating Erin, that that witch had better not be around Ari. He said he wouldn't date her, that he loved Mercedes, but she couldn't be sure. And frankly, she didn't care. He was the father of her child, and that was it. Or it was until a mix-up caused Sam to have to pick Ari up. Seeing him Six months after their break up was hard, but it wasn't devastating. Sam was still a great father. So little by little, they built themselves to the point where they could talk without fighting or feeling hurt. And Ari was better for it.


August 12th, 2014


Mercedes checked the time; Blaine was supposed to be at her place thirty minutes ago to pick up Ari. The little girl was already sleeping, and she knew that may cause issues for Sam. When the knock came, she sighed, smiling as she opened the door. "B, you are late…." She froze, seeing Sam. Heart racing as he stood in front of her for the first time since she left L.A.

"Sorry, I meant to call, but Blaine called me at the last minute, saying he was stuck in traffic and couldn't make it in time to get Ari. I hope this is okay."

Mercedes nodded. "It's fine. She's sleeping; she had a big day at daycare."

Mercedes moved, letting Sam come inside, and he offered her a small smile. "You look good…Merce."

Mercedes looked down at herself and shrugged. "Some of the baby weight came off, and some stayed. You look good too, and I like the facial hair."

Sam ran his hand over his growing beard. "Yeah, I guess I didn't feel like shaving for a while…but glad it's working."

"I'll go grab her things." Mercedes turned, and Sam reached for her, grabbing her arm.

"Merce…please talk to me. It's been six months, and this is the first time we have been face-to-face. I'm not with Erin if that is what you are thinking. I haven't spoken to her since I kicked her out of my place because of how she spoke to you about you. I know it was too little too late, but it was wrong."

Mercedes stared at him, unsure what he wanted her to say, but Sam just continued talking.

"I miss you. I miss everything about you, Merce. I was stupid, I was childish, and I was wrong. Please just forgive me."

Mercedes closed her eyes. "I've missed you too, Sam. More than I ever care to admit."

"Oh, baby," Sam said, pulling her to him, and for a moment, a long moment in time, she stood there in his arms and knew that if she stayed the course, she would take him back, they would probably get married, and maybe they could be happy. But she wouldn't be.

Pulling away from him, she sighed, closing her eyes. "Sam…I have loved you since I was sixteen. And I think I always will. But I can't…I can't do this with you anymore. It's not all your fault. I want to make that clear. Yes, you were wrong to have that emotional relationship with her, but I don't think I was as available to you as she was. I was so wrapped up in having a baby and my career I didn't see that we were falling apart."

"Merce."

"No, Sam, I have really started to work on me, work on who I want to be, and I said you didn't trust us, but it was me too. I didn't trust that you weren't the same boy who broke my heart. And hearing that girl speak all my fears out loud…how you were only with me because of Ari, and then reading those texts. Maybe a part of you was with me because you loved me, but a bigger part it was out of obligation."

"No, it wasn't."

"Sam, don't lie to me; I can't respect you if you aren't honest…."

"It wasn't all out of obligation. I do love you."

"Sam, this is so hard, harder than anything, because I do believe that if we did this, maybe we could be happy. But I gotta do what's best for me. I have to move on, Sam; I have to find myself without you because you have been so much of my past and present and future that I don't know anything else."

Sam moved closer to her. "What about us, Mercedes? Everything we have been through to get to this point."

"Us? What about trust and honesty? We didn't have any of that."

"Mercedes, if you don't believe anything I say to you, you have to believe that I never wanted to hurt you. What am I supposed to do without you, Merce? I don't want a future without you and our daughter."

"Sam, don't say that. Sam, we might find each other again, but if we don't…that doesn't mean that what we had wasn't real; it means that we were maybe just not meant to be together. Maybe we were only meant..to be friends." Mercedes wrapped her arms around Sam, holding him close as her heart broke again.

Sam pulled her closer. "I'm gonna love you forever, Merce. Nothing, and no one will change that.


It seemed like things started looking up once she forgave him. Her Fashion Line was thriving; she had been showcased at fashion week in Milan, London, and New York. And she met Henry. He was a Pediatric Doctor who filled in for Ari's regular Doctor and convinced Mercedes to give him her number. Usually, she would have said no, but he looked like Paul Wesley, and she was going through a Vampire Diary binge on her off time.

He was sweet and so great with her and Ari, and he understood when Sam decided to move to New York to be close to his daughter. And Sam was decent as well. Things were still awkward at times, but she was determined to make things better in the end.

"Knock knock?"

Mercedes looked up and smiled. "Henry! What are you doing here?"

He moved close to her, pulling her up into his arms and kissing her soundly. "I took the weekend off, and I am yours to do with what you will."

"Oh? Well, when you put it like that." Mercedes wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as he ran his hands up her back. Mercedes ran her hands through his hair, nipping at his lips. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"While we are making out?"

She smirked, nipping at his bottom lip. "I am a multitasker; I can do both."

He ran his hands up her body. "Mmm, what else can you do?"

She smiled. "Anyways. I want you to come to Ari's party, and you are already my date for the wedding, and I want you to be a part of this."

"And Sam is okay with that? I mean, he seemed cool when we met, but I don't know if he's that cool."

Mercedes smiled. "Actually, he is bringing his own date, and they have been together about the same time as we have, so we think it's time we all started doing things together when it comes to Ari."

Henry looked at her for a moment. "You're sure? This is what you want?"

She nodded. "I love you, and it's time we acted like it."

Henry kissed her. "Then I am in. How awkward can it be, right? I mean, you like his new girlfriend?"

Mercedes nodded. "Her name is Callie, and she is smart, funny, beautiful, and she asked me if I was okay with her being around Ari like you did Sam; she checks all the boxes."

"And seeing her with Sam isn't hard?"

Mercedes shrugged. "I will always love him, you know that; I never kept that a secret, and sometimes thinking of him moving on hurts, but I am glad we can move on together, as parents for Ari and friends. That means that my future children and his won't have to worry about feeling left out when Ari has parties and wants all of her siblings to attend."

"I gotta say, you two have a handle on this thing."

Mercedes shrugged. "It's been a journey, but we realized that it was way more important to Ari that we get along and that we show the love we have for each other, just in a different way."

Mercedes leaned in and kissed him as he picked her up and laid her on the couch. Wrapping her thighs around his waist, her phone rang, and she sighed. "It's Kurt's ringtone; I have to answer."

"Don't mind me." He said, moving to her neck and sucking on her pulse point. "I am just gonna enjoy myself while you talk."

Mercedes laughed, answering. "What's going on, Boo?"

"Everything is wrong! All wrong, and my wedding is gonna suck. I wanted Lilac, and they gave me lilies! How am I supposed to work like this! The wedding is two days away; I am calling it off."

"Calm down; we can fix this; your maid of honor is on the way."

"No, she's not," Henry whispered. "Not yet I still have time."

Mercedes kissed him. "I will be there in like twenty-"

"Forty," Henry whispered, running his hands up her body.

"Forty minutes, no longer than an hour." She hissed.

"I thought Ari was with Sam?"

"She is; I will be there. Don't do anything stupid without me." She said, hanging up and pulling Henry down to her.


Sam pushed the stroller and offered an apologetic smile towards Mercedes. "I am sorry you are stuck with me today; I guess with me being Blaine's best man and you being Kurt's maid of honor, we should have seen this coming."

Mercedes smiled. "I could be with worst people. Besides, we don't really get to do things together with Ari, so this could be fun."

Sam nodded. "Exactly…so food and cake tasting… wasn't this done a few weeks ago?"

"Kurt had a falling out with the baker because she wouldn't offer a vegan cake for his vegan friends, and she quit. Said she wouldn't debase herself by making something like that. So he found someone who does both, and now we get to taste test them." Mercedes said. "What happened with B and the caterers."

Sam laughed. "Found out that the chef is someone he had a fling with when he and Kurt broke up. So yeah, that was a no-go. The guy wanted to make this dramatic entrance at the wedding…so we get to taste test a lot today. Kinda like a fun family date."

"I guess so…so is Callie excited about the wedding?"

"She is; it's a really big deal, you know? A big major event with our friends, you."

"I feel the same; it's kinda crazy but in a good way."

Mercedes opened the door, so Sam could push the stroller inside the bakery. "Desert then food."

She said when he looked at her questioning. "Somethings never change, and it's a good thing."

As they walked to the front, an older woman smiled. "Welcome to Hayward Bakery. I am Julia, and I will get you settled before my daughter, the baker, comes and dazzles you with her creations."

"Thank you so much. You guys are doing us such a huge favor."

"No problem. And can I say you guys are just the most adorable family? Look at that little cuties. She has her mother's beauty and her father's green eyes."

Mercedes beamed. "Ari, can you say hi?"

Ari waved shyly, looking over to Sam, wanting him to take her out of the stroller. "She has a birthday coming up; how old are you going to be?" Sam asked, and she held up a four with one hand while sucking her thumb on the other.

Mercedes loved seeing how much Ari loved her dad. When she arrived at Sam's place, he was in the middle of doing her hair; Mercedes always kept her hair in braids when she went to Sam's, but seeing him with her melted her heart.

He had a friend of Stacey's who lived in New York named Unique teach him how to do twists and pigtails; right now, Ari was rocking four pigtails with pink and white barrets that matched her outfit.

"She is precious. We also make children's cakes, and I am sure we can work something out if you are still looking."

"We are." Mercedes beamed.

"Oh my… when Kurt said you would be stopping by, he wasn't just blowing smoke…I am a huge fan!" A younger woman came out. "I don't mean to fangirl here, Ms. Jones, but I have so many of your pieces in my closet. You are the designer of my soul."

Mercedes smiled. "You can call me Mercedes, and I am thrilled to hear that."

"I am Jane, and I am, oh my God…are you, Sam Evans?"

Sam smiled. "I am."

"Mom, I am gonna need you to call Mason out here, or he will never forgive me. I am sorry, my partner and husband is a huge fan!"

"Jane, why is your mom-Oh my Captain America shield! Sam Evans in my business."

Sam smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Mason."

Jane beamed. "I am so sorry about this, but could we get a photo? I know you aren't here for that, but please, so we can put it up. I really hope you don't think we are unprofessional."

Mercedes smiled. "I have it on good authority that when Sam met Chris Evans and Stan Lee, he yelled at him that he was their biggest fan. So you are good."

Sam looked at Mercedes. "Oh, that's how it is? She met Tyrese and asked to have his baby while pregnant with mine. I am so telling Ari that story too." Sam teased.

Jane shrugged. "It's Tyrese; that's allowed."

"See! She gets it!" Mercedes laughed.

After photos were taken and autographs were given, Sam and Mercedes were taken in back for their private tasting.

As they sat down, Jane smiled, handing Mercedes the fork. "How about you feed dad since his hands are occupied with that little Angel."

Sam looked at Mercedes, ready to protest, but she just smiled. "Sure, Ari is in Daddy's world right now and does not want to be disturbed."

"The first is your typical white cake, with a berry compote in the middle and buttercream frosting."

Mercedes took a forkful and fed it to Sam before feeding herself. "Mm, this is amazing."

Sam nodded. "It really is, and I am not really a berry person, but it just works."

Jane beamed. "The second choice is red velvet. Now, this is the groom's cake; it's all vegan, so be honest."

Mercedes grabbed the fork feeding Sam again before herself. "Wow, this is vegan?"

Jane nodded. "Yes, dairy-free cream cheese, but it's not lacking in any flavor. We pride ourselves on that."

"This is delicious; I am sure they are going to love it, even those nonvegans."

Jane was floating on air with compliments as she brought out the mini pieces. "Now I know Kurt wanted cupcakes as well. So I thought we could have this double fudge chocolate cupcake, salted caramel, the lemon cupcake, and strawberry drizzle."

Mercedes looked down and smiled, getting a forkful of the salted caramel and giving it to Sam.

"Oh God, you are perfect." He moaned out, looking at Mercedes. "She knows how much I love caramel." He smirked.

Mercedes blushed, knowing exactly what he was thinking. The time she made a batch of caramel brownies, and the caramel was placed everywhere on them. "Jane, you have exceeded our expectations, and this is perfect."

Sam licked his lips with a nod. "I am gonna need an extra batch to be placed in my car before the ceremony." He joked. "And I think we want to hire you to bake Ari's cake too. What do you think, sweet girl?"

Ari looked at Sam, then leaned into Mercedes to get a bite of her fork. Mercedes gave her a piece of cake, and the girl smiled.

"I think that's a yes from the Princess."

After placing the deposit for the wedding and Ari's party and getting a goody bag of treats, they headed to the caterer's for the food tasting. As they waited for Sunshine Cortozone, the chef, Mercedes felt her phone vibrate.

HG: How goes wedding food tasting.

M.J.: It goes well. Ari loves it, and Sam and I agree on most things; well, the day is young when it comes to food.

HG: So, will I see you tonight?

M.J.: I am not sure we are supposed to stay with Kurt and Blaine to keep them apart. Apparently, they are silly teens this close to the wedding.

"Tell Henry I said hi, and also, I got his dues for the fantasy football," Sam said as plates were brought out.

M.J.: Sam says hi. He got your dues

HG: great! Well, have fun; love you.

Mercedes put her phone away and sighed, looking at Sam as Ari looked at her green eggs and ham book. Sam made sure it was her favorite.

"We should do this again, you know, go out as a family. We should be able to do this and not be awkward."

Sam nodded. "I agree. I really like spending this time with you."

"Thank you for joining me. So the couple gave me their options, which we came up with since it's such a short minute."

Ari began to whine, and Mercedes grabbed her apple juice, handing it to her; Ari climbed onto Mercedes and cuddled in, signaling she was tired.

"You fed me cake. I think it's only fair I feed you food." Sam teased as she reached for the girl's blanket.

"Okay."

Sunshine smiled. "You guys make an adorable couple. How long have you been together?"

Sam smiled. "I have been in love with this woman since I was 16 years old. And she me. And our beautiful Ari is the result of that."

Sunshine smiled. "I love it. Okay, so to start, we have Proscuitto and freshly shaved parmesan on baked bread in the shape of spoons."

Sam lifted the breaded spoon to Mercedes's mouth, and she took a bite as Sam finished it off. "That is amazing, and I love its salty and sweet taste," he said.

Mercedes nodded. "Me too."

She held up the next one. "These are a fan favorite at every ceremony, and we have Shrimp Cocktail Shooters, Bacon wrapped scallops, and chicken skewers."

Sam popped a scallop into Mercedes's mouth, and she moaned. "That is an appetizer I never knew I needed until right this moment."

"The last of the appetizers are stuffed mushrooms with provolone and feta cheese and Caprese skewers for the non-meat eaters."

"Mmm, give me what I want, daddy." Mercedes laughed, and Sam popped a mushroom in her mouth knowingly.

"My girl loves anything mushrooms and the way she is moaning. Can you box some of those up for her?" Sam laughed.

Sunshine nodded. "Sure thing. I am going to grab the entree's for you now."

She walked out, and Sam pooped another mushroom between her lips. "So good." Mercedes moaned out.

Sam brushed his finger over her lips, wiping some juice, and she smiled at him. "Thanks."

He nodded, popping a scallop of his own. "You know, I was worried about this wedding, but this food will be amazing."

Mercedes nodded. "I agree." She shifted as Ari snuggled closer to her. "Oh, Sam, look at her face!"

Sam moved closer and leaned in. "Beautiful, just like her mother." His eyes met hers. "She's lucky that way."

Mercedes couldn't stop her own eyes from looking at his lips before looking back at him. She leaned in as someone cleared their throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but we are almost done."

They pulled apart and smiled. Both are looking at Sunshine but wondering if they were just saved by the bell or ruined a good moment.