One shot! Happy Thanksgiving from Tora and I!
Mercedes Jones smoothed down her off the shoulder deep purple sweater dress and fixed her hair, letting her natural curls fall below her shoulders. She fixed her makeup as someone knocked on her door.
"Merce, Mom said you need to stop primping in the mirror and go check on your pies, with your fast self." Her brother Marcus Jones said, looking at her. "Who are you trying to get cute for anyways it's just the Evans."
Mercedes tossed her pillow at his face. "Get out!"
"You can put a whole department store on that face but you're still going to be ugly." Marcus teased, throwing the pillow back at his little sister.
"You would think me being away at school would soften your cold dead heart but I see you are still just a pain in my ass!" Mercedes said, rolling her eyes at him.
"Please, you're always here or at the Evans… probably kissing Sam."
Mercedes fake gagged looking away from her brother. "I just threw up in my mouth at the thought of letting Sam Evans anywhere near my lips." She gave herself a finale once over and sighed.
"You didn't have a problem with it when you guys were four!" He shouted before running away from her.
"I wasn't as smart as I am now!" She shouted after him.
Sam Evans was the bane of her existence. They were friends once upon a time, having grown up next to each since they were both in diapers. Sometime between the 8th and 9th grade he went from her BFF to public enemy number one.
Every year their parents took turns hosting a Thanksgiving dinner just for the family, and showing up was not optional. She was hoping Sam would completely fall off the face of the earth this year because she didn't want to deal with him or his stupid face.
A very handsome stupid face. She thought before shaking her head and putting on her best smile. "Moma, I don't know why you and daddy kept Marcus. He's a demon spawn from the depths of hell." Mercedes said, grabbing her apron and putting it on.
"Baby girl, all my babies have their good and bad parts, and demon spawn seems a bit much, what about clown, or imp?" She teased.
"Demon. Spawn." Mercedes replied, saying each word slowly and clearly. "Is moma Mary here yet?"
"She will be here in a few, she sent me a text a little while ago." She said, basting the turkey. "Go ahead to the other oven and check on the Mac and Cheese." Farrah Jones looked over at her daughter. "Shame you aren't bringing anyone this year. I liked that Barney guy…" She said, eyeing her daughter.
:His name was Barney, moma… it was never going to work out. Besides, I kept laughing when he tried to kiss me because I would see a purple dinosaur when I closed my eyes." Mercedes said giggling.
"Or maybe none of your relationships last because you are just not with the right guy." She said, It was no secret Mary and Farrah wanted Sam and Mercedes to admit they were attracted to each other and get together already.
"And who just might be the right guy? How do you know that I'm not secretly into women?" Mercedes asked, rolling her eyes.
"She would be into women because she clearly can't keep or get a man." Marcus snarked as he walked by.
"Says the so-called man that cried over a woman who left him for another woman."
"Hey! I encouraged it." Marcus said with a shrug. "Where's Eric?"
"If that's what you have to tell yourself so you wont start crying again. And he is with daddy grabbing the table spacer." She said as she removed the mac and cheese from the oven. "Marcus how about you do us all a favor and hop into the over for ten minutes?"
Marcus shoved her playfully and Farrah laughed as someone knocked on the door. "Mercedes go answer the door, Marcus go help your dad and Eric."
Mercedes bumped Marcus in the shoulder as she moved to go open the door. She froze as she stood face to face with Sam Evans. It had been about six months since she had seen him and while before he still had that annoying handsome baby face. Now he seemed to have grown, or at least the way he stood and looked with his trimmed goatee. She had to literally force words out of her mouth.
"I see my birthday wish just didn't come true this year either. You are still around."
Sam narrowed his eyes at her. For a moment he was entranced by her gorgeous curves, her smooth perfect skin and plumb sexy lips, but then she opened her mouth to speak and the spell was broken. "Aww maybe aim lower next time like asking for a new personality." He said, smirking at her.
"I could always wish for you to die. " She retorted. "That's as low as I can get."
Sam eyed her thigh high boots and then back up at her body. "I am sure you can get very low."
"Sam, leave the poor girl alone." Mercedes heard behind him and smiled seeing Jason Evans, the oldest Evans. Mercedes moved to hug him, pushing Sam out the way.
"How is my favorite Evans?" She teased.
"Better now that I get to see you." Jason said, picking her up and spinning her around. "How are you, sexy? Still breaking hearts?"
She laughed as he put her down. "You know I only have eyes for you." She laughed.
Sam rolled his eyes grunting as he saw them, he really didn't even know why he cared so much.
"Well we can always sneak away and have our own fun." Jason teased, kissing on the cheek.
"Mercedes! I swear every time I see you, you are more and more beautiful." Mary said, walking over and hugging the girl.
"Moma! I could say the same about you. I missed you." She replied, accepting her hug.
"Tell me everything, your mom said you graduate this year with your BA in Business, have you decided a location for the bakery?"
Mercedes nodded. "Narrowed it down to two locations, so by the new year I am going to have my own shop, it's thrilling."
"Well considering how amazing your baked goods are I am not surprised. Now, is momma in the kitchen?" Mary asked.
"Mhm, she just started on the dressing and the guys are outside in the garage."
Mary nodded. "Well I am going to go see my sister, you guys...carry on." She said walking away and Jason eyed Sam, noticing him checking Mercedes out.
"Mercy come here girl I can not get over how hot you look. She's far from the little girl in the pigtails and overalls huh?"
Sam shrugged as Mercedes looked at him with a hopeful smile, which she couldn't explain. "Nah all I see is a girl who is trying way too much. If you gotta try to be hot, you ain't hot sweetheart."
Mercedes cut her eyes at him and stormed out of the room.
"You're such an asshat!" Jason said, smacking his brother across the head.
"I speak the truth and that's what you wanted." Sam replied with a shrug before going to see Mrs. Jones.
Mercedes giggled, shaking her head as she flirted in the corner with Jason. She knew that nothing could happen but it was a lot of fun, and seeing the anger on Sam's face was a bonus.
"I swear you must work out everyday, I bet you can show me how to work out, hard." She said leaning into him.
"Mmm, I can show you a few things… that are hard but I tend to work out nude. I like to see my muscles working." Jason replied, wrapping his arms around her hips and pulling her close.
"Well my room is right upstairs…" She said, biting her lip.
"Mercy, Mercy you are trouble."
Sam huffed before storming over to where the two of them were and pulled Mercedes away from Jason. "Your mother wants you." He lied, staring her down until she finally rolled her eyes and walked away.
Jason smirked at Sam. "What's wrong little brother, you look frustrated.
"I'm perfectly fine but you might want to stop pushing up on her. Her brothers are very overprotective."
"Hmm, her brothers aren't the ones that think we should stop flirting." Jason pointed out with a chuckle. "You do know everyone can see how much you want her...it's getting embarrassing."
"What's embarrassing is all of you thinking I would ever touch her in that way. That's just plain gross." Sam said, gagging.
"Yeah okay baby brother, you don't even sound convincing, word to the wise, a woman like Mercedes, ain't gonna stay single for long." He winked at his brother and walked towards the game room where the game was on.
Sam shook his head in frustration as his brother walked out the room. Needing to move he walked towards the bathroom and froze as he heard singing. He knew that voice Mercedes used to sing all the time when they were growing up. He drifted towards the room, it was half cracked open and Mercedes was singing as she searched for something.
His eyes drifted towards her backside as she bent over further. He should have walked away, should have ignored the ache growing in him watching her curves closely. The way she moved created a hunger for her he hadn't felt since Prom night when he saw her walk down the stairs. Their dates were best friends so they all went together and though Sam gave off his same contempt for her act, he knew there was something there.
Sam hadn't realized he had pushed the door open and swallowed as she stood up holding a book.
Mercedes had been searching for her recipe book as inspiration had struck while at dinner, she hadn't even realized Sam was in her doorway. She yelped seeing him and frowned. "What are you doing, stalker?"
"I was… going to the bathroom, don't flatter yourself, pint size." He lied.
"It's not like this is your first time here, so why are you in my room?" She asked, rolling her eyes.
Sam looked at her for a moment before taking a step back. "I heard you singing… It's been a long time." He admitted softly.
"Oh, I didn't even realize I was doing it."
He nodded before turning to walk out before stopping. He looked over his shoulder at her. "Why didn't you chase your dream and go out to LA?" He asked.
Mercedes looked at him then down to her book and shrugged. "I dunno, I guess I figured I needed to follow a dream that I could actually reach…" She said honestly.
"Sam sighed, looking away from her. "You could've reached that one, I know it." He whispered before walking out and towards the bathroom.
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip and looked after Sam. "Sam, wait…" She gave him a soft smile. "Can I show you something? You know unless you really gotta go." She teased.
Sam nodded. "I can spare a minute." He said moving back into her room. She closed the door and grabbed her laptop before sitting on the bed. "Come on and sit, I won't bite...you know unless you piss me off."
Sam laughed, rolling his eyes and sitting next to her.
She pulled up one of the bakery locations she wanted to pick. "After graduation I drove three hours to audition for American Idol. I didn't even get into the door. They said I had the voice, just not the look." She sighed. "That day I made a choice to either go to LA alone, follow a dream that could fail. Or go to school, and follow another dream that I equally wanted to do. Singing is amazing but baking, getting to create things for people that's my passion. And this… this is my bakery."
"I see, maybe you can make it a singing bakery." He teased.
She turned towards him. "A singing bakery? Boy you are crazy!" She laughed playfully, shoving him.
Sam smiled at her before nudging her. "You know deep down you want the bakery in New York. You've always said you'd end up there someday." He said.
"Yea, it seems you beat me to the punch. NYU for graphic design and from what Mary tells me you're top of your class."
Sam blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I found something I am good at." He looked over to her, not seeing his enemy for once and just seeing Mercedes. "You are really beautiful." He said without thinking.
Mercedes blinked at him, feeling her cheeks warm slightly before narrowing her eyes at him. "Where's the punch line?"
Sam shook his head, finding himself lost in her eyes. His movements weren't his own as he moved closer to her, his hand going to her neck to gently pull her closer, kissing her softly as his heart raced.
Mercedes was caught off guard by his kiss and before she fell into the kiss, she pulled away. "What are you getting at?" She asked, looking into his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I just… I don't know why I did that." He said still close to her, so close he could lean in if he wanted.
"Right because kissing me would be so horrible." Mercedes spat before pushing him away from her.
Sam shook his head. "No, because now all I want to do is pull you close and kiss you again." He said moving closer to her.
"Mhm, whatever." She said moving away from him. "You can't really think I would believe that.'
"Maybe I should just show you then." He said moving closer to her as she backed up against the door. He ran his hand down her neck staring at her. "You are the most infuriating, stubborn and hardheaded most beautiful woman I have ever met." He said dipping his head down to brush his lips against hers. "And I shouldn't be in here doing this because I still hate you, but God I wanna kiss you again...a soul stirring, knee buckling, hear that sexy moan of yours kiss."
"Mmm… I hate you too." She murmured nipping at his lips and wrapping her arms around his neck.
Sam nodded. "Hate you so much." He said crashing his lips to hers pulled her body against his. His hands moved to explore her body as he lifted her legs to wrap around his waist. "So damn sexy." He murmured moving to her neck and sucking right below her ear.
Mercedes let her head fall back hating how much she liked his mouth on her. "I hate you Sam Evans!" She moaned out, rocking her hips against him.
Sam moved back to her lips and smirked. "Finally, I found the key to making you shut up." He teased but kissed her before she could say anything, letting his hands lift her sweater dress up so he could touch her flesh.
Mercedes whimpered, she loved the way his hands felt exploring her body. She moaned as he pushed himself towards her core. Even in dress slacks she could tell the man was blessed.
Sam squeezed her breast before pulling the bra down and tugging at her nipple. "I wanna taste all of you."
"Mmm… then taste me." She groaned out.
Sam moved them off the door and moved them to the bed laying her down as he lifted her dress. Sam let his lips graze over her stomach, moving up to her breast as a knock came in.
"Merce!? You in there?!" Eric said from behind the door.
"Shit! Get off!" Mercedes said shoving Sam but he didn't budge.
"Uh-uh, tell him to go away." Sam replied, shaking his head and smirking when shot him a look. "You told me to taste you, so I am."
"Sam! It's' Eric, he will come in here." She hissed.
Sam shrugged, running his hand down her thigh and latching onto her breast.
She let out a moan before covering her mouth with her hand. "Sam!" She whimpered.
"Merce! You in there?" Eric asked, wiggling the door knob seeing that it was locked. "You being nasty in there?" He teased.
"Oh my God! Eric, I'm getting changed!" Mercedes shouted hoping that would be enough.
Sam moved to her ear. "Tell him we are going to the movies...that way no one will stop me from getting a taste." He said nipping at her neck. They could always climb out her window to pretend to come back home.
"I… I'm gonna go to the movies so can you tell moma and daddy? I'll be back in time for dinner!"
"Ewww is Sam in there too? Y'all trying to do adult stuff with both momas down there?"
"Yeah Eric I would really be in here, with your sister lying under me with both of our parents and you and Marcus, not that dumb we just...decided its better to be friends than not so we working through some things." He said kissing her nose, then lips.
Eric laughed. "Ya'll no fun."
Mercedes looked back at Sam but before she could speak he attacked her lips again, grinding himself against her.
Sam smiled. "When was the last time a man made you cum...over and over and over again?"
"Mhm, you'll never know but you can definitely try to achieve that title." She said with a giggle before moaning when latched onto one of her nipples.
"Yeah well I am about to ruin you for other men." He said yanking her sweater dress all the way off of her.
Mercedes let him remove her dress and moaned as he tugged and sucked on her breast. She hated how he knew her body already, how responsive to him she was.
Sam took his time worshiping every inch of her body until he moved between her legs staring up at him. "We are gonna play a game." He said removing her panties.
"Wh-what kinda game?"
Sam smirked, taking one long lick from her clit to her slit. "You are gonna say five things you like about me, or I am gonna work you up over and over but not let you cum." He said, guiding a finger inside of her.
"F-five things!" She stammered letting out a whimper and arching up against his finger.
Sam nodded, moving his tongue to her clit. "Name one right now." He said sucking on her clit as he moved his finger faster.
"Ahh! You… I like... shit!" She cried out.
"Hmmm that doesn't sound like a real thing to like." He teased and slowed his movements.
"No, no… please don't stop. I like... " She stopped licking her lips and breathing heavily. "I love your impressions, always have!"
Sam smiled and moved his finger faster. "What else?"
"Mmmm… fuck umm, you have beautiful eyes… I always liked looking at them in high school." She admitted.
Sam nipped at her clit with a smile as he added a finger. "Three more."
Mercedes took a sharp breath, wiggling underneath him and letting out a deep moan. "I-I… I like when you sing when you think nobody is around."
Sam held her waist pulling her closer. "Mmmmm two more baby...and I will give you everything you want." He smiled. He really liked hearing what she liked about him.
"Shit Sam, this is unfair!" She grunted out. "I like what your tongue is doing to me."
"You mean like this?" He asked, swirling his tongue around her clit and moved down to her slit, thrusting it inside of her a few good times. "Good to know you like it, but that doesn't count."
Mercedes let out a loud squeal raising her hips off the bed. "It does c-count! I like your artwork and that's five now give me what you promised." She demanded, making him chuckle.
Sam removed his tongue using his finger to tease her. "That was only four, don't cheat."
Mercedes looked at him angrily. "Fine, I like that I hate you!"
Sam took a long slow swipe then looked at her pretending to think. "That'll work." He said pushing both hit fingers inside of her, and latching on to her clit sucking hard and fast wanting her to cum.
Mercedes reached for the sheets thrusting against his face, riding his tongue and fingers. "Yes! Oh Sam so good, I'm gonna….I'm gonna…" She stiffened cumming hard against him, shivering at the most intense orgasm she ever had.
Sam chuckled letting her ride her orgasm. He kissed his way up her body smiled. "I knew you liked me."
"I clearly remember saying that I hate you." She breathed out, trying to fix her hair.
"Uh uh don't fix your hair yet, it's just gonna get more messed up." He said, taking her hand. "I got to feel and taste how wet you are." He guided her hand down to his clothed cock. "Now you feel what you do to me Mercedes." He said nipping at her lips.
Mercedes bit her bottom lip feeling her body starting to react again and hating that she wanted him to prove his words but she also just wanted him in the worst way.
Sam stared at her. "Can I have you...all of you. If this is all I get I wanna make it last."
"I don't know… can you?" She teased.
Sam growled, sitting up on his knees and removing his belt. "Trust me I can."
"Then shut up and do it." She replied watching him remove his belt and feeling her body's excitement rise.
Sam stood removing his shirt and pants standing naked in front of her, with a smirk. "Wanna know what I like about you?"
"Oh I demand to know especially if you want to cum too."
Sam moved towards her slowly. "Your beauty runs more than just outer, which is staggering. Your heart is beautiful. Your strength. I like your smile, voice…" He moved between her legs staring down at her. "You, I like you."
Mercedes blushed. "Well I hate you." She said because she knew it wasn't just like for her.
Sam nipped at her lips as he lined himself up with her. "I hate you too." He said pushing deep inside of her. "So tight, so wet." He moaned out, gripping her thigh to go even deeper.
"Shit you're thick." She whimpered
Sam smirked. "Thicker and bigger than any of those losers you had before me."
"Maybe… but that doesn't mean you know how to work it."
Sam laughed. "Yeah, hold on baby." He moved slowly, working her hip with his, getting a Rhythm and bottoming out inside of her wanting to show her why he was the best she would ever have.
Mercedes arched up as he pushed deep inside of her, she moaned gripping his back. "S-Sam!" She screamed out.
"That's right, scream my name baby. I know you love having me inside you." Sam said, kissing her.
"You're so cocky." She said, shaking her head breathlessly.
"And you love it, just like you love me admit it."
"I don't love you." She whimpered.
Sam stared down at her and linked his hand with hers, "If you don't love me then why are we making slow…" He thrust deep. "Passionate." He thrust again faster. "Love to each other."
"W-we're n-not mmm… making love… I hate you." She stammered as she started matching his thrust and trying not to get too loud.
Sam moved faster against her. "Say you love me."
"I don't love you." She whimpered out feeling tears burning in her eyes.
Sam tilted her face towards his. "Well I love you." he said, thrusting faster, feeling himself needing more of her.
Mercedes locked eyes with him seeing that he meant it when he said he loved her. "Do you love me or my pussy?"
Sam smirked, pulling her up with him in one swift motion sitting on the edge of the bed. "Can't I love both." He asked, thrusting up, deeper than before and running his hands up her back, kissing her neck down to her breast.
"Mhm, sounds more like you're already whipped." She quipped as she started riding him.
He squeezed her ass helping move her hips against him. "Baby I loved you before I felt you and now that I have been inside of you, if it means I can stay inside you, then you damn skippy I'm whipped."
"Mhm… fuck. It feels so good." she said wrapping her arms tighter around his neck
"That's right, ride my dick baby," He moaned, moving faster and feeling himself growing closer to that edge.
"Are you sure they went to the movies?" Mary asked Eric, who shrugged.
"That's what they said, but considering they hate each other, she might have killed him and is burying his body right about now."
"There's some noise coming from upstairs…" Farrah said looking over at her husband who looked annoyed because he didn't want to think about what the noise might be.
"Better not be what I think it is…" Michael muttered looking at the ceiling.
Jason smirked. "If it is though it's about damn time...just saying."
"Not my baby!" Michael said and Farrah rolled her eyes at him.
"Jesus, it's not like we haven't heard any of our kids going at it before."
"Ma!" Marcus said. "I don't wanna think about her nor do I want to hear that."
"Oh please, are you forgetting about Gina? How you had that little fast ass girl in my laundry room?" Farrah countered making Mary snicker.
"Jason did the same thing in our laundry room… what wanted to know if the dryer really made a difference?" She teased.
Jason smirked. "It did…"
Mary raised an eyebrow, "Hear that Dwight, seems like we got a new position to try."
"Ewww!" Jason, Marcus and Eric all said in unison before walking out of the room.
Jason looked at Marcus and Eric moving them away from Stevie and Stacey who were on a video game. "You really think they're up there smashing?"
"They didn't sneak out like they usually would, we would've seen them walk past that window." Eric said, nodding at the window closest to the backdoor.
"Yeah and both of their cars are still out there." Marcus added. "And now I am gonna have ta kill him."
"Easy now, that's my little brother up there too." Jason said looking at the both of them. "We knew it was going to happen sooner or later."
"This is all so gross… Mercy is a baby!" Eric said, earning looks from both Jason and Marcus before they started laughing.
"She's older than you doofus!" Marcus said, laughing even harder.
Eric rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. "She's only older by two years." He said and they snickered again.
"I am going to put a stop to this." Marcus said, walking up the stairs. Eric and Jason followed but all three froze when they heard Mercedes scream out Sam's name and Sam followed with grunting hers.
"Yeah nope I am gonna need therapy if I go any further." Eric said walking back down the stairs and the other two followed.
"Can I say again that it's about damn time. Those two have been hate loving each other for like eight years now."
"Would you be this cool if that was Stacey?"
Marcus asked, looking at Jason.
Jason laughed. "But it never will be. Stacey is never having sex. Like ever."
"Uh huh keep telling yourself that." Marcus said, patting him on the shoulder before walking downstairs.
"Tell me you love me." Sam said, pulling her close as they both came down from their highs.
"Sam…" She said, trying to get off his lap but he wouldn't let her. "Sam an hour ago you were screaming you hated me now you love me?"
"I do hate you but I love you too, a lot actually."
She chewed her bottom lip staring at him, he was still inside of her and she sighed. "Sam I hate you too. Ever since you went jock on me...but I…" She stared at him. "I l-" Her phone began to ring and she sighed. That was close.
"Uh-uh." Sam said, grabbing her phone and hitting ignore. "Tell me you love me Mercedes." He demanded.
She wiggled in his lap. "I hate you."
Sam groaned when she wiggled against him. "You love me and I love you, stop making it so damn difficult. You've known that I love you since we were seven."
"Sam, you professing your love for me because our parents sent us to separate camps doesn't count." She replied using her finger to trace the outline of his abs.
"Mercedes…" Sam lifted her face to his. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't love me."
Mercedes looked at him and smiled. "I don't-"
"SAM, MERCEDES IT'S TIME FOR PRAYER!"
Mercedes sighed "We better go."
"Seriously? You're not even going to say it?" Sam asked.
Mercedes leaned in and kissed Sam deeply, nipping at his lips. "No."
Sam just let out a sigh before gently picking her up and placing her on her bed. "Fine, we should probably get dressed then. We both know our dads don't like waiting for food." He said grabbing his clothes and putting them on quickly.
Mercedes sighed, chewing her bottom lip, she knew she loved him, and he knew she loved him, she just couldn't admit it.
"I'll see you downstairs and don't worry, I can go back to pretending to hate you." Sam said then walked out of her room.
Mercedes closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Maybe Sam could go back to pretending but she wasn't sure she could.
Farrah grabbed her husband's arm and squeezed it. "Don't you dare say anything about what we might have heard." She whispered to him before looking at the other three. "None of you are to say anything to them or so help I will bend you all over my knee."
Dwight smirked. "Does that count for me too?" He teased before Mary smacked him. "Ow!"
"No it doesn't but I will help her with the rest of you." Mary said before plastering a smile on her face when Sam walked into the dining room with Mercedes not far behind.
"Cedie!" Stevie said, smiling at her. "Come sit beside me."
Mercedes looked at Sam who just shrugged before taking the empty spot next to Eric. She swallowed before shooting Stevie a bright smile. "I would love to sit next to you, cutie."
Mercedes glanced over to Sam and offered him a smile but frowned when he looked away from her. She looked down to her plate, he was ignoring her and she couldn't blame him but then again she could. He was wanting something from her she couldn't do.
"So Michael, would you like to say grace?" Farrah asked shooting a look to Mary who just simply nodded because she saw it too, something happened other than the two of them becoming more familiar with each other.
"Sure, everyone bow your heads." Michael said before delivering a quick and somewhat humorous prayer. "Dig in!"
Mercedes glanced around at everyone eating, talking and laughing and she felt a heaviness in her heart. "If you guys will excuse me for a minute." She said, giving a small smile and moving out of the dining room and to the double doors in the kitchen that lead outside.
"I got it." Michael said when Farrah started to go after her. He walked out the double doors smiling when he saw Mercedes sitting on the old swing set he'd built years ago for her and her siblings.
He walked behind her and gave her a small push. "Wanna talk about it?" He asked.
"Why are boys so stupid?" She asked and Michael chuckled.
"Because we just are, if your mother didn't remind me of half the things she did… I don't know if I'd be functioning as well as I do."
"But why do they get to be one way and then stop being that way and just expect us to do the same?"
Michael looked at his daughter for a moment before giving her another push. "Some men just have a light turn on out of nowhere and then they change but that doesn't mean whatever wasn't seen before was never there… it just means they can see it now."
"Daddy… that's confusing." Mercedes replied with a giggle.
"We tend to be that way too. What's really bothering you?" He asked.
"Sam told me he loved me…" She blurted out.
Michael smirked. "And?"
"And he thinks I am just supposed to say it back..." Mercedes said huffing. "After all these years I'm just supposed to stop hating him?"
"Do you hate him though?" Michael asked. " I've watched you two closely because I always knew that boy was going to be trouble but as much as you two clashed he was always there. Always showing up for you even when you didn't want him, like when that knucklehead boy Shane decided to kiss you."
Mercedes smiled softly. "Sam punched him for kissing me."
"Is that what he told you?" Her father asked with an amused look on his face. 'Every boy that came after Shane had to go through him, you thought it was your brothers scaring them off but it was Sam. Only reason I kept allowing him around you."
"Stupid jerk, no one asked him to do that." She mumbled trying not to smile.
"You really want us all to believe that his love is one sided?"
Mercedes sighed. "What if it is? What if I don't know if I love him?"
"But you love him and the longer you resist, the harder it's gonna hurt when he walks away from you." Michael stated before stopping the swing and making her look at him. "It's okay to hate and love him, your mother feels the same way about me."
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "But he's heading back to New York…"
"So go to New York with him. That's one of the places you wanted to open your bakery, go with him and start living your damn life." Michael replied.
"Daddy, you can be serious? You want me to follow a man to New York because I love him?"
"No, I want you to admit that your heart is going to fly out tomorrow and you're gonna be here until it's time to start the next semester. You're online this year and don't have anything tying you here."
"I have my family." She said, looking at him.
"Oh because if you go we can't be a family?"
"Daddy… what if I get hurt?" She asked softly.
"I would never hurt you Mercedes…" Sam said, walking towards them.
"That's my cue to leave. Stop acting your mother and tell that man you love him." Michael said, winking at his daughter before he walked over to Sam.
"You better take care of her." Michael said then walked back inside.
Sam moved behind her and started pushing her on the swing. "I know that it's easy to run away, but I don't want to run from you Mercedes. I have done that for the last eight years because I thought I wasn't good enough for you. But recently I have come to realize that no one is good enough for you, but I want to be."
"Sam, I'm just… I'm just not ready for any of this." She said, stopping the swing and standing up. She wrapped her arms around herself and sighed before turning around and looking him directly in the eyes. " I don't love you."
Sam moved back and nodded. "I have been waiting all our lives Mercedes and will wait for however long it takes for you to realize that you do love me." He moved closer to her, lifting her chin so her eyes could meet his. "You words say hate but these eyes, they betray you." He leaned down and kissed her. "Your kiss betrays you."
Mercedes moved away feeling herself starting to give in to his advances. "You're going to be waiting your whole life. You told me to look you in the eyes and tell you that I didn't love you. I do NOT love you, Sam." She said coldly.
Sam stared at her for a long moment, he stepped away from her and nodded. "Okay, message received. You won't have to worry about me bothering you ever again Mercedes." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Tell my parents I left for school." He said looking at her one last time before walking out the backyard and to his car, not turning around or stopping.
"Shit." She said before finally letting the tears fall.
"Ugh…" Mercedes groaned, feeling nauseous again.
Farrah handed her the ginger ale. "Mercedes I really think this is more than just a stomach bug, you need to get checked out baby girl."
"I think it's passing, maybe it's the weather change or something." Mercedes said, taking a sip of the drink.
Farrah sat next to Mercedes and took her hand. "Sweetie you know, I felt sick due to a "weather change" once so I am just gonna come out and ask if you think you could be pregnant."
"God no! Moma, I just don't feel good." Mercedes said, shaking her head.
"Are you sure? Who was the last person you slept with?" Farrah asked, pulling out her phone.
"I'm not doing this moma. I'm not pregnant." Mercedes replied, forcing herself off the couch and walking away.
Farrah followed her and gently grabbed her arm. "Mercedes you are not a little girl anymore so stop acting like one. What you are experiencing is morning sickness. So was it Sam?"
"I'm NOT acting any way but the way that I am acting and like you said I'm grown so I don't have to have this conversation if I don't want to have it so good night." Mercedes said back pulling away.
"Okay so you've lost your damn mind I see. Let me make myself very clear, you are not too grown for me to beat your ass. Spending all your time moping about Sam when it was you who pushed him away! You want to act like you don't need anyone fine, but you better check yourself long enough to realize that if you push everyone away your ass is gonna end up alone!' She said turning and walking away from her daughter.
"YOU KNOW WHAT! Throwing Sam in my face yet again isn't fair." Mercedes said before she burst out crying. "AND I'M ONLY CRYING BECAUSE YOU PISSED ME OFF!" Mercedes added before storming upstairs to her room.
Farrah turned towards her daughter stomping away. "I am gonna chalk all that up to you being a host to my grandchild!" She yelled after her.
"I AM NOT PREGNANT!" Mercedes shouted back slamming her door closed.
Farrah heard a knock on the door and let Mary in. "Did you bring them?"
"Yep, so is she ready to take em yet?" Mary asked.
"I know you heard the heifer yelling in my house. She gotta be pregnant or ima go to jail for murder."
"If she's carrying an Evans, she's probably going bat shit crazy… I cried every damn hour when I was pregnant with Sam." Mary said, hugging Farrah.
"I want to help her but right now she's not letting anyone. She's been snapping at everyone lately and crying at the drop of the hat." She hugged Mary back. "Have you talked to Sam lately?"
"I have and whenever I bring up Mercedes he ends the call, if he was the last person she slept with they're both being tight lipped about it." Mary replied. "I can tell you if she is pregnant though without even having her take these tests."
"Oh? And how is that?"
"What has she been eating? When I was pregnant with Jason I only wanted pineapples, with Sam it was cool ranch Doritos and with the twins… pie. I ate so much damn pie. The crazy thing is my mother-in-law had the same cravings with her kids."
Farrah smiled. "You know Mercedes can not stand cool ranch Doritos. She would hate it when Sam would come over and eat it. But all week she's been texting me to buy them for her. I thought she just missed Sam!"
"Damn it… I was hoping it was going to be pie." Mary said teasingly.
"Well let's go confirm this because I'm tired of her being in denial." Farrah said taking the test as they walked upstairs before stopping when they heard Mercedes talking.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Mercedes said, looking at the five tests sitting on her dresser. They were all positive and to make matters worse the only person she'd slept with was Sam.
"Great, first time I slept with him I got pregnant." She said looking down at her stomach. "I hate your daddy…"
She looked at the test one more time willing them to change but they all said pregnant she had her suspicions but when she started wanting Cool Ranch Doritos, she knew something was up because she absolutely hated those damn things.
She pulled out her phone and sent Sam a text message figuring he might respond that way.
I need to talk to you… call me.
Sam had spent the last few weeks focusing on his work, he knew Mercedes loved him but her fear trumped her feelings and that meant that she wasn't going to be with Sam until she was ready. And though he told her he wouldn't bother her, he still loved her.
He received her text on a Sunday, and while he was happy to get it, his heart couldn't handle talking to her just yet. So he decided to not answer right away, he waited til Tuesday to finally reply.
No thank you, I am all talked out.
Call me, asshole!
Sorry this asshole can't come to the phone, try your call again later.
Star War is better than Star Trek
Sam looked at the text and frowned. She hadn't used their code in years. They made that up when they were 7 for the other to know if something bad was happening. She wouldn't use that code if it wasn't bad.
He took a breath before dialing her number and waiting for her to answer.
Hello? Sammy…
Don't do that, just tell me what's wrong.
Fine. I'm pregnant.
With what the spawn of the devil?
Well considering you're the father, yes with the fucking spawn of the devil!
Mercedes I have my last final to take in 30 minutes. Can you just tell me what's going on for real.
I am pregnant with YOUR child Samuel. Remember when we had sex at Thanksgiving? Well now I'm pregnant and I hope you fail you stupid final!
I remember you spilling the lie that you didn't love me and we both know I am gonna ace my final and be back in time for our Christmas wedding.
I AM NOT MARRYING YOU AND I WASN'T LYING.
You think we can fit a honeymoon in during Christmas break? It might be close but so what if we miss a few days back you know?
We are not getting married so there won't be a need for a honeymoon! Are you going to help take care of this baby or not!
So I was walking yesterday and there is a bakery up for sale in this really primo spot, I will get the information after my exam. I am sure our moms can take you dress shopping now, you aren't showing so you can wear something sexy, though that pregnancy glow on you is probably just as sexy. I wonder if we will have twins? They run in my family. Man there is so much to do, do you want the wedding on Christmas or do you wanna ring in the New Year with a wedding?
Oh my god! We are not getting married and I would never have a New Years wedding, it's extremely tacky!
Christmas Wedding it is, I just texted my mom and she has so many ideas...that might have been a mistake… anyways I should be there tonight and we can celebrate in a way that luckily won't get you pregnant twice.
Sam, we are not getting married! I don't love you! Why would you text your mother such nonsense? Now my mother is going to come in here crying!
Goodness your mom knows already, apparently they are gonna transform your backyard into a winter wonderland...ha your dad just texted me asking when we are going for our fittings...and if I was finally taking you away...that would be a yes!
I am not marrying you…
I think we should write our own vows. I wanna hear you profess your love in front of everyone.
Sam! You haven't even asked! So I'm not marrying you!
Listen, I have to get to my exams. I love you, I couldn't be happier that you are pregnant, baby I will see you tonight.
Sam hung up the phone and smiled, shooting his dad and her dad a text. He needed all the help he could get if he was gonna propose to her tonight.
Mercedes shook her head completely angry that he just assumed she was going to just say yes because she's pregnant. "I am going to beat the shit out of him." She muttered right as her room door opened and her mother and Mary walked inside.
"Do not start. I'm sorry moma Mary but I will not be marrying that asshole you call a son."
Mary shrugged. "Honey both your mother and I said the same damn things. Now we are supposed to take you to get your hair done and a mani/pedi so grab your purse and let's go."
"No! I'm not marrying him." Mercedes said, crossing her arms and plopping down on the bed.
"Oh dear Lord, you're so damn stubborn! Mercedes Denise Jones, get dressed or I will dress you myself and we both remember how well that went when you were a child." Farrah said to her daughter.
Mercedes sighed as she stood from the bed. "Fine I will take the free mini makeover but I am not getting married!"
"Yeah, yeah just like you're not pregnant. Meet us downstairs in ten minutes." Mary said before both women left the room.
Sam anxiously waited in the Jones' back yard for Mercedes, he'd taken his final and hoped on the first flight back to Lima but not before getting all the information he needed about buying the bakery for Mercedes. He knew she was going to be pissed when he gifted her the property when she said yes to his proposal but he didn't care.
He was about to get married and have a baby with the only woman he'd ever loved and he couldn't be happier. He could hear Mercedes arguing with her mother before he saw her being pushed out the double doors as they were quickly closed and locked behind her.
Sam took in a sharp breath when he looked at her. She was wearing a beautiful knee length sweater dress with a pink peacoat, her hair was down and barely had any makeup on.
"Merce… you look amazing." Sam said, moving towards her, smiling.
Mercedes looked at Sam feeling a lump forming in her throat. He was everything she ever wanted but fear stopped her from admitting that out loud. Her heart was his and they both knew it. The backyard has a dance floor down covering the snow, a rose petal path that led her to Sam, and he looked so handsome in a simple blue sweater, jeans and navy coat.
She moved towards him afraid to speak so she just shook her head looking at him. How could he be the sweetest man in the world who infuriated her to her core.
"Well you got me out here, why?"
"Mercedes… I know you aren't one for long speeches so I'll keep it short." He started before getting down on one knee. "I am tired, I am in love with the most stubborn woman on the planet and for some crazy reason I can't move on. I want everything with you and I want you to stop saying you don't love me because we know you do. Marry me, Mercedes. I'm not asking so it's either yes or yes."
She folded her arms across her chest, "You are the most infuriating man I have ever met! You drive me crazy all the damn time and it makes since you would have impregnated me with your spawn. But...I am just not… I am not able to truly express how I feel so just…" She closed her eyes, shaking her head.
"Share my life, take me for what I am 'Cause I'll never change all my colors for you. Take my love, I'll never ask for too much. Just all that you are and everything that you do. I don't really need to look very much further, I don't wanna have to go where you don't follow, I won't hold it back again, this passion inside. Can't run from myself, there's nowhere to hide."
She took Sam's hand in his. "But don't make me close one more door, I don't wanna hurt anymore. Stay in my arms if you dare. Or must I imagine you there. Don't walk away from me. I have nothing, nothing, nothing. If I don't have you, you, you, you, you."
She sniffed, wiping her eyes as she stared at him. "You see through, right to the heart of me, You break down my walls with the strength of your love, mm I never knew love like I've known it with you. Will a memory survive, one I can hold on to. I don't really need to look very much further. I don't wanna have to go where you don't follow. I won't hold it back again, this passion inside. I can't run from myself, there's nowhere to hide Your love, I'll remember forever
Sam pulled her into his arms, rocking with her, dancing in the backyard as she continued to sing.
"But don't make me close one more door. I don't wanna hurt anymore. Stay in my arms if you dare, Or must I imagine you there. Don't walk away from me. I have nothing, nothing, nothing. Don't make me close one more door. I don't wanna hurt anymore. Stay in my arms if you dare. Or must I imagine you there. Don't walk away from me, no. Don't walk away from me. Don't you dare walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing If I don't have you, you
If I don't have you, oh you."
She wiped her eyes as she ended the song and stared at Sam. "What all that meant was just...I love you Sam."
"Bout damn time woman." Sam said, kissing her deeply.
Mercedes laughed wrapping her arms around him kissing him back. "So about this wedding."
Yes we will be continuing this! Happy Thanksgiving!