CHAPTER 8

Summary: Sam tries to figure out who's following them. He and Mercedes grow closer. Mercedes gets a blast from the past.

Rating: Mature

Warning: Sexual situations, mild cursing

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Please excuse any errors

BIG BROTHER WATCHING

Sam went back into the house and tried to decide what to do. He didn't want to tell Mercedes because she had enough to worry about already; he knew he needed to contact the police and so he did. Once he was inside his apartment, he dialed the local police department.

A woman answered.

"Bethel Rock Police, how may I help you?"

"I'd like to file a report. Someone is following my family." Once he said the words out loud they sounded so strange to him like he was watching a movie. He sat down on the couch and took a few deep breaths. What if someone was trying to hurt them? But why?

"Sir, could you tell me what happened?"

Sam told her everything about the man in the diner and the black Sedan following them to the movies and she listened without interruption. When he was finished she said:

"Do you have any reason to believe that someone would harm you? Did anything happen recently that would trigger behavior like this?"

Sam closed his eyes. The last person he had a fight with was Quinn, but then again, they always fought so there was nothing new about that.

"I had a fight with my ex-wife."

"So you two aren't on good terms?"

"We aren't on any terms."

"I see. Did you see a license plate number?"

"No it was too dark."

"Thanks for giving me a description of the man. And you're certain you've never seen him before?"

"He wasn't anybody I recognized."

"At this point, there's not much we can do."

"Ok."

"If you see the car again or feel that you are in danger please contact us and we'll have a couple of officers come to your home. Is your address 1725 Mockingbird Lane?"

"Yes."

"Thanks. Stay safe and have a good evening."

"Thanks," Sam said and hung up.

He went into his bedroom, opened his walk-in closet door, and turned on the light. In the far left corner underneath where his good Sunday suits were hanging, sat his fireproof safe. He dialed the combination and opened it up. Inside the safe, were the deed to his house, birth certificate, and other important papers, but that's not what he was looking for. He pushed the papers aside and underneath was a locked plastic black case the size of a laptop, he opened it and inside was his semi-automatic pistol. Sam grew up with guns; it was part of his upbringing in the country; hunting was a family activity; and though he understood the polarizing politics surrounding gun ownership, he had always owned one, as did everyone else in his family. He always felt fortunate that he never had to use one on another human being, but now that changed; if anyone tried to hurt Mercedes or Abby he wouldn't hesitate pulling the trigger. As his father used to say, "I'm not a killing man, but I'll protect my family."

Sam held the gun for a while, reminiscing about the days he spent with his siblings at the shooting range. Out of all of them, Kurt was the best gunman, but Sam was also quite good. Though he and Blaine boxed, Kurt insisted on having a gun too, it was something they fought about at the beginning of their marriage, with Blaine finally giving in the way he always did with Kurt. Sam didn't know why his mind turned to childhood memories; he figured he needed something to wrap himself in, because this business of being followed was making him feel anxious. Even though he and Quinn had their differences and an acrimonious divorce; he couldn't see her doing anything like this, but then he came to the realization that maybe it wasn't him she was after, it could be Ryder that she was keeping tabs on. Sam put the pistol back in its case and shut the safe. He knew Mercedes would probably hate the fact that he had a gun especially considering what Abby had been through. He heard a knock at the door and he went to answer it. When he opened the door, he found Mercedes standing there, her eyes narrowed with concern.

"I came down to check on you. Dinner is ready."

"Sorry, I got caught up doing some chores."

"Sam, are you sure you're ok? Is something wrong with the house you're flipping?"

"What? No. Stop worrying schätzchen," Sam said kissing her cheek, "I just got busy, that's all."

"What did you just call me?"

He blushed.

"I called you schätzchen. It's what Grandpa Hummel called Grandma."

"So now we're an old German couple?"

"You could say that."

"What's it mean?"

Sam pulled her into a hug and held her close.

"It's a secret."

"Sam…"

He kissed her.

"It means treasure," he whispered, before kissing her once more and going to the kitchen to get the wine.

ooo

During dinner Sam debated on whether or not he should tell them what was going on. He was relieved when Abby went to play in her room because this was definitely something she didn't need to hear. After his second glass of wine, while Unique told of how she and Ryder had their first kiss during a Ferris wheel ride, he got the nerve to confess.

"Somebody is following us," he said, "I don't know who it is."

"Are you drunk?" Ryder asked, half -jokingly, "Who's following us?"

Sam told them everything that happened.

"Why didn't you say something before?" Mercedes said, "I thought we trusted each other."

"I'm sorry."

Ryder was silent and Unique's eyes were wide and fearful. Sam couldn't take everyone staring at him so he said:

"I'm really sorry for keeping my mouth shut. I just didn't want to scare anyone and I thought I was imagining it."

"Too late for that," Unique said.

Mercedes held Sam's hand.

"What are we going to do? The police weren't helpful."

"They never are," Ryder said.

"I'm scared. This is how it started last time." Unique said.

Ryder put his arm around Unique, holding her close to his side.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you like always."

"What are you talking about?" Mercedes said.

"We got harassed because I'm transgender. Sometimes we were followed," Unique said, "Our apartment was broken into and hate messages were spray painted on the walls. Then we were assaulted one night walking back to our car after a concert."

"That's awful," Mercedes said, "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"They never found the guys that did it," Ryder said.

"Do you remember what they looked like?" Mercedes said.

"No, it was a long time ago, they knocked Ryder out cold, and then the police showed up… I think I blocked their faces out on purpose," Unique said.

"What if you two aren't the targets?" Sam said.

"Why would anyone follow you?" Ryder said.

"I don't know. I thought of Quinn but this isn't who she is. "

"You're right," Ryder said, gently rubbing Unique's back, "It's not her style."

"This is so fucked up," Sam said.

"Shame on you, Sam, cursing on the Lord's day," Unique said, shaking her head.

"Sorry."

Mercedes stood up.

"Would anybody like coffee?"

Sam saw how her hands trembled as she clutched the top of her chair.

"Cedes?"

"I can't just sit here."

"What if he comes back?" Unique said, as tears ran down her cheeks, "I can't go through what we went through again. I can't. I want to go back to New York tonight."

"Une, baby…" Ryder said hugging her to his chest, "Ok, sweetie, just calm down. We'll leave tonight."

"I thought you were dead. I tried to get you to wake up…"

"We survived," he whispered.

Sam hugged Mercedes.

"We'll stay at my house in Cedarville."

"But that's too far away, and I have to work."

"It's safer this way."

"But the kids need me. And I need a paycheck."

"I can support you and Abby."

"I'm not looking for a sugar daddy."

"I never said you were. Look, I'm very comfortable financially because I know how to invest. Money isn't an issue."

"Why don't we stay with Mike and Tina? They're close enough for me to get to school every day"

Sam shook his head.

"No, the farther away we are the better."

"Sam…"

"Schätzchen, please, I can't have you and Abby in danger."

Mercedes sighed.

"You're right. I'll tell the school I have a family emergency."

"Thank you."

Suddenly, Mercedes' cell phone rang. When she pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the screen, her face fell.

"Baby, what is it?" Sam asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," she said, and left the living room. Sam wanted to go with her but thought the better of it and stood there wondering what was going on.

ooo

Mercedes went to her bedroom, shut the door and sat down on the bed.

"Puck, how did you get my number?"

"So you leave town. Don't tell me. And all you can say is 'how did you get my number?"

"What else is there to say?"

"Sorry would be nice."

"I'm not sorry."

"How's Abby?"

"Did you hire someone to spy on me?"

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Why in hell would I do that?"

"I don't know... I…"

"Are you in trouble?"

"I'd rather not get into it."

"Maybe I can help."

"I don't need your help."

"Do you know how I felt when I got back and found out you were gone?"

"Puck – "

"I love you."

"I know." S

"Moving away doesn't change that."

"I did what was best for me."

"Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"You don't sound like it."

"Well, I am."

"I bet Abby misses me."

"Why did you call?"

"To find out why you ran off."

"I did what I had to do."

"I got that house in Canada, in case you're wondering."

"I wasn't. But congratulations."

"Remember how we used to – "

Mercedes cut him off.

"I have to go."

"Wait – "

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry I left. I didn't think I would be gone so long. I came back expecting – "

"Expecting me to be there?"

"Yeah."

"I'm glad you took that job."

"But I lost you."

"You never had me."

"You really think that?"

"Don't call me again," she said and hung up before he could say anything else. Someone knocked on the door.

"Cedes," Sam said, "Are you ok?"

Mercedes opened the door and let him in.

"Hold me," she said as she led him over to the bed and lay down.

He didn't ask any questions and lied down beside her, wrapping his arms around her.

Mercedes cried as Sam stroked her hair.

ooo

Unique and Ryder booked the red eye out of Nashville. After hastily throwing their things together, they stood on the front porch, hugging Mercedes and Sam goodbye.

"We'll call as soon as we land in New York," Unique said, holding Mercedes close, "I'm so glad we met, Sam is lucky to have you."

"And Ryder is lucky to have you," Mercedes said, "Don't ever forget that."

"Oh, how can I forget that I'm fabulous?"

After a few more hugs, Unique and Ryder drove away to the airport. Sam held Mercedes' hand.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"Not now, Sam.

He didn't pressure her. Instead he kissed her forehead.

"Come on, we need to pack."

THE GREAT ESCAPE

They told Abby they were going on a surprise vacation and convinced her it would be fun to get away for a while. Mercedes thought the lie was best. If Abby knew the truth, she would panic. Sam helped them pack and then went downstairs and got his stuff together. He arranged for a pet sitter to take care of George and Gracie while they were away. At first he wanted to take them with him, but they didn't that travel well. He gathered up all of their cat toys so the sitter wouldn't have to look for them and as he carried them into the living room, a red ball fell from his grasp and rolled under the entry table near the front door. As he got on his hands and knees to get the ball, he noticed a collection of white dust on the floor near the base board, and he saw a small hole had been drilled into the wall. Sam jumped up and ran upstairs to Mercedes' apartment. He didn't bother knocking and unlocked the front door with his key. She and Abby were putting on their coats and hats in the living room.

"Sam I –"

Sam pressed a finger to her lips, shaking his head, indicating that she shouldn't talk. He picked up their luggage and she and Abby followed him out of the apartment, down the stairs and outside to his SUV. He unlocked the door and helped them both into the vehicle. Once they were inside, and the luggage was loaded into the trunk, Sam got inside and turned on the heat. He handed Abby her iPod and told her to listen to the lullaby he recorded for her. Smiling, she put the earbuds in her ears and began listening to the music.

"I think the house is bugged," Sam said keeping his voice low.

"What?"

"I found a tiny hole drilled into the wall. I know I didn't put it there."

"Then they know where we're going."

"They only think they do."

"What do you mean?"

"We're not going to Cedarville. We're going to Kentucky."

"Maybe we should call the police again. We have evidence something is going on."

"What are they going to do? Just confirm that the place is bugged, ask more questions and then say there's nothing we can do. I know I don't have a plan but let's just lay low for a while. I'll figure out something. I'm going get my stuff. I'll be right back."

"Ok."

Sam went back into the house, grabbed his duffel bag off of the couch, said good-bye to George and Gracie, locked up, and returned to the car. Before they started their journey, he stopped off at the gas station to fill up his tank and got treats and coffee for the road. He actually welcomed the four-hour drive to Kentucky because it gave him something to do. Mercedes offered to help drive but he wanted her to rest instead. They didn't talk much. Sam wanted to ask her about the mysterious phone call, but decided against it. Eventually, Mercedes fell asleep. As he drove, he reached over and squeezed her small hand, imagining what it would look like with an engagement ring sparkling on her finger. By the time he reached Kentucky, it was 1:00 in the morning. Sam pulled into the driveway and nudged Mercedes awake.

"Baby, we're here."

Mercedes slowly opened her eyes and yawned. She glanced out the window.

"The house is gorgeous."

Sam looked at the antebellum two-story white farmhouse with its four columns and an outside porch on each floor. It was surrounded by a lush green meadow and a bright red barn was behind the house. A walkway made of gray stone tiles lead up to the door. He knew the renovations he did on this house were impressive especially since it was in such bad shape when he first bought the historic property.

"Thanks."

Mercedes unbuckled her seatbelt. She turned around in her seat and looked at Abby, who was still asleep.

"I hate waking her up," she said.

Sam got out of the car and opened the passenger door on Abby's side. The chilly night air blew in her face and she opened her eyes, she blinked at him for a moment and then tried to go back to sleep.

"No, sweetie, we have to go inside the house," he said, as he unbuckled her seat belt and ushered her out of the car. Meanwhile, Mercedes had opened the trunk and was unloading the luggage. Sam handed her the house keys.

"Take Abby inside and I'll bring our stuff."

Abby moved like she was sleepwalking and Sam wondered if she was awake. Mercedes picked her up and began walking up the stone path; Sam followed close behind them. Mercedes unlocked the front door and walked inside.

"The light is on the left," Sam said. She switched on the light.

"Where's the bathroom?"

"Down the hall first right."

While she and Abby used the bathroom, Sam went upstairs with their stuff and went into the master bedroom. He turned on the light and uncovered the furniture. The room had a cherry wood king sized four post bed with a thick green and gold down comforter covering it. The butter yellow walls were bare. He went into the hallway and turned up the thermostat so the house would warm up quickly. Mercedes and Abby came upstairs, and upon seeing them, Sam hugged them close to his heart, giving them each a kiss on the cheek before leading them into the bedroom.

"The house will be warm in a minute. Are you hungry?"

"No, we just want to get some sleep."

"Ok, go ahead and get ready for bed and I'll be back in a little bit."

"Where are you going?"

"Just checking things out around the house."

"Sam, you don't think – "

"Don't worry. We're safe."

Mercedes kissed him.

"Don't be long."

Sam went into each of the bedrooms except for the last on at the end of the hall. He turned on the lights and searched each room, looking for anything suspicious, and went downstairs and repeated the process. He made sure the front door was locked and checked the alarm before going upstairs and changing into his pajamas in the guest bathroom. When he returned to the bedroom, Mercedes and Abby were already in bed. Sam got in bed beside Abby.

"Do you want the lullaby?"

Abby nodded and snuggled up to Mercedes, who put her arm around her. Sam covered her up with the comforter and began to sing.

"Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby

Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay

And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow

Bless you with love for the road that you go…

When the song was over, Abby was asleep, and Sam got out of the bed, plugged in Abby's star shaped nightlight, and turned off the light. When he returned to the bed, he leaned over Abby and hugged Mercedes, giving her a kiss.

"Whatever happens, I'll protect you and Abby."

"I know and I love you for it."

"Good, now let's get some sleep. I'm exhausted."

"You wouldn't be if you had let me help drive."

"Not that again."

"Yes, that again."

"Goodnight, schätzchen," Sam said, giving her another kiss, hoping she would shut up about the driving.

"Goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too."

After a few more kisses, they soon fell asleep.

ooo

Sam walked into the kitchen of his house on Mockingbird Lane. Mercedes was cooking something on the stove, her back was turned to him and the sunlight shined through the window.

"Schätzchen?"

Mercedes turned around and smiled. Her stomach loomed in front of her - big and round like a beach ball.

"The baby kept kicking so I got up, she said.

Sam walked over and placed his hand on her belly. The baby kicked again.

"You're pregnant."

She laughed.

"Uh, yeah."

"I got you pregnant?"

"No, I cheated on you. Of course you got me pregnant."

"How?"

"Are you ok?"

He grabbed her hands, and saw a diamond ring sparkling on her finger.

"How did this happen?"

"Sam you're scaring me."

"Baby, tell me how this happened."

"The way it always does."

"I can't give you a baby."

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm telling you the truth."

"That's crazy. I'm pregnant."

"No you're not."

Mercedes clutched her stomach and began to cry.

"No, no, you gave me this baby."

"I can't. I'm damaged."

Mercedes sat down and blood seeped through the front of her white nightgown and spread across her belly.

"It hurts."

"I'm sorry…"

He tried to hug her but she pushed him away.

"No!"

Sam woke up from his nightmare, his heart pounded, and he was out of breath. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, calming himself down. Mercedes and Abby slept peacefully beside him. He kissed their foreheads and got out of bed, going down the hall to the last bedroom on the left. The doorknob felt cold against his hand as he turned it, and opened the door. He went inside the room, turning on the light. It was just as he remembered. A white crib sat in the corner of the room with a white rocking chair beside it. The soft blue walls were covered with pictures of rattles and bunny rabbits. A baby mobile with small pastel yellow farm animals dangling from it, hung over the crib. A white chest of drawers was pushed against the wall. He went to it and opened the top drawer and it was filled with knitted booties, blankets, and onesies. Quinn decorated this room with the belief that a baby was coming, despite what the doctors said about Sam's condition. In her delusion, she set about buying the furniture and painting the walls. At first they were going to sell the house after the renovations were complete, but she fell in love with it and thought they could keep it as a second home. Sam gave into her fantasies. At night they made love countless times, with her clinging to him, desperate in her need to get pregnant. The sex was joyless. He could no longer feel her and she couldn't feel him, lost in her futile effort to become a mother. It got to him after a while, and he pushed her away. Sam sat in the rocking chair, and rocked to and fro, staring at the walls. Everything in that room represented what he couldn't give Mercedes. He continued rocking until he fell asleep.

THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN

Mercedes woke up and was surprised to see that Sam was gone. She got out of bed and looked at her cell phone and saw that it was 5:00 in the morning. She slipped on her robe and went to look for him. She stepped into the hall and saw a light shining at the other end of the hallway. She walked down the hall; the wood floors creaked beneath her feet. She looked inside the room and found Sam asleep in the rocking chair. The nursery surprised her and she wondered why it was there since he and Quinn never had kids. She squeezed his shoulder.

"Sam?"

Sam jerked awake; a bit of drool was on his chin. He yawned and looked up at Mercedes.

"Hey."

"I'm going downstairs for some coffee, care to join me?"

"Sure."

He rose from the chair and stretched.

"Nice nursery," she said.

Sam didn't answer her. He simply walked out of the room and she followed him downstairs to the kitchen. Mercedes made the coffee while Sam sulked at the table, staring out the window into the darkness. When she gave him the coffee, he took a sip and then said he was going to the cellar to look at the water heater.

"We had some issues the last time we were here, so I want to make sure it was fixed."

"Alright."

He left the kitchen and Mercedes sat down to the table and drank her coffee alone. Sam's mood was strange and she figured it was because of everything that was going on. She thought about Puck's phone call and her thoughts turned to the past.

"Been thinking about me?"

Mercedes looked at the arrogant teenage boy with the Mohawk and smug smile. He was good looking and popular; she'd give him that, but his attitude pissed her off.

"No, I haven't," she said as she opened her locker and took out her math book.

"You and me are going out Friday night."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Miss Jones. Now wear something sexy and tight."

"What?"

"Something to show off this big ass," he said, and then boldly smacked her behind.

Mercedes slapped him.

"Fuck you," she said, and hurried off to her next class.

"Better make that a promise, sweetheart," he yelled after her, "I don't take no for answer."

"Mercedes?"

Mercedes jumped in her chair; she looked up and saw Sam standing next to her, he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, I scared you."

"Is the water heater ok?"

"Yeah, it's running."

"Do you want something to eat?"

"No thanks."

Sam sat down beside her, leaned over and kissed her.

"We need to talk."

Mercedes didn't like the tone of his voice. She took a sip of coffee and held his hand.

"What's wrong?" she said.

Sam looked down at the table and said nothing. The two sat there in silence for such a long time that it worried her.

"Sam?"

"Sorry, this is hard for me."

"I won't judge you for whatever it is you have to say."

"I know… I'm just ..."

"Take as much time as you need."

After a few more moments of silence, Sam said:

"Have you ever had a picture of what you wanted your life to be like when you were a kid?"

"Sure. Sometimes I dreamed about becoming a famous singer but having a family was most important.

"That's important to me too."

"Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

Sam shook his head.

"You know I love you and I want to give you everything, but the one thing I can't give you is a family. I have this condition called non-obstructive azoospermia, basically there's no sperm in my semen."

"That's awful. I'm so sorry."

"When Quinn and I were married, we went through hell with all kinds of treatments, but nothing worked. It broke me inside that I couldn't give her a blue-eyed baby girl just like she wanted. Every time we made love I felt like less than a man. It was horrible. Then she cheated on me with Will."

Mercedes hugged him.

"I don't think that you're less than a man. And I don't care that you can't give me kids."

"But you deserve a family."

"I have a family with you and Abby and we can expand it with adoption, if our relationship gets to that point."

"You're not disappointed?"

"Ok, I'm a little disappointed. I fantasized about what our kids would look like if I got pregnant. But it doesn't change how I feel about you. And in the end, it doesn't matter if the child is biological or not."

"I'm sorry, Mercedes."

"Stop it. There's no reason to be sorry. You're still the same man that made me feel like a princess on our first date and sings lullabies to Abby. This thing you have doesn't define you."

Sam kissed her, holding her close.

"I've carried this around for so long and I was scared to tell you."

"You had no reason to be."

"I see that now. But I didn't want to stand in the way of your dreams of having a family."

"Sam, listen to me. My dream is this. Being with you and Abby. I'm fine."

He kissed her again and, let his hands wander over her backside, gently squeezing each cheek. She reached under his pajama top, stroking the bare skin of his back. The kiss deepened and she pulled away and looked at him. Sam took her by the hand, and they went upstairs.

CRUMBLING WALLS

He opened the door to the bedroom across the hall from the master bedroom and turned on the lamp sitting on the nightstand. Mercedes locked the door. Then she stood in the middle of the room and pulled off her nightgown, standing before him completely nude, and the soft, yellow lamplight shining on her brown skin.

"I want us to make love."

Sam couldn't speak. She was so beautiful. Her breasts were large with, dark, plum colored nipples that were erect, light colored stretch marks covered her belly, her thick thighs had faint traces of cellulite, and her curly black pubic hair was sparse, barely covering the V between her legs. Suddenly, she became upset, picking up her nightgown and covering herself.

"I'm sorry I don't look like the other women you've been with… I just thought…"

Sam grabbed her hands.

"I was just thinking how gorgeous you are," he said and placed her hand on his member that bulged in the front of his pajama bottoms, "This is how much I want you."

Mercedes smiled and tears filled her eyes.

"I love you," she whispered as she dropped the nightgown, and revealed herself once again without shame or uncertainty. Sam hugged her, smelling her arousal. It had been a long time since he'd been with a woman he truly loved. Sure there were one-night stands and a few flings here and there, but he could barely recall their names or faces, just random bodies he gave pleasure to and received pleasure in return. It was an empty way to live. But Mercedes filled his soul. He wanted to take her immediately because so much pulsated inside him, a primal need to bury himself between those soft, abundant thighs, and feel her move beneath him, but he knew better; she was practically a virgin in his eyes, he couldn't rush it, patience was key. He picked her up and carried her to the bed and gently laid her on it.

Her breasts swayed with each movement, and he wondered if she would ever consider allowing an artist to paint a nude picture of her, immortalizing every beautiful curve of her rubenesque form. She looked up at him, her legs opened slightly, revealing her sweet, glistening core. He knelt down and traced his finger along her tight slit before forging into her snug, warm depths, pumping slowly. She closed her eyes, biting her lip, and moaning, her wide hips following his rhythm. He watched her get lost in the pleasure, and when he added another finger, her mouth fell open, and her breathing grew shallow; he leaned down and sucked her tiny pearl clit, and she cried out as she came. He kept sucking her clit and pumping his fingers until she quivered and shook, feeling the orgasmic waves traveling through her body. When she was still, he kissed her inner thighs and then he looked up and saw her watching him, her eyes wide.

"My God."

Sam smiled and kissed her lips, briefly wondering if she minded the taste of her juices, she must have been ok with it because she kissed him back hard, and tore at this pajama top. Sam got the hint and undressed. He knew he had a great body, women always made over his abs, and tight behind, but with Mercedes he suddenly felt a little shy, because her opinion mattered the most. She surveyed his body, gazing at every limb.

"You're beautiful."

Sam leaned down and kissed her again.

"I need to be inside you."

Mercedes nodded, opening her legs wider.

"Please."

Sam settled between her thighs, and inched his way into her velvet center. She felt so good that he hoped he could last long enough. Mercedes face twisted in pain. Sam stopped.

"Baby?"

"I'm fine. It's been awhile, you know?"

"I'll go slow."

He fondled her breasts as he pushed himself inside her, and once he was fully inside, he looked down at her.

"Ok?"

She let out a sigh.

"Yes, it feels good."

Relieved at her words, Sam began to move slowly, and damn it all, she felt so hot and tight around him, sinking him into a pool of bliss, he loved everything about this woman, her kind, caring heart, her intelligence and sensibility, her warmth and character, all that love he felt for her was demonstrated with each pump of his hips and the slow, sweet rhythm he established. This was making love. It wasn't sweaty strangers in dark rooms with whispered half sentences and fast, quick, humping in a bathroom stall. It was two people giving everything of themselves while their bodies fused together, forming one flesh. As she moved beneath him, gripping his hips, urging him deeper inside her, he felt every bit of her love for him.

She was getting close and her moans grew louder as he pounded into her. He wanted her to come first, so he coaxed her along.

"Schätzchen, come for me.

"Sam…"

"Let go."

He hit her G-spot and she came undone, crying out and shaking, it was beautiful to Sam, the way her thighs and breasts shook, and the joyful tears spilling from her doe eyes made his heart swell. Sam came after she did, whispering her name as he spilled his seed inside her, continually pumping his hips and pushing her into another orgasm. Then all was still except the quiet murmurs of "I love you" shared between them, and lots of kisses. Sam covered her with his body, feeling protective of her. She was so very precious to him. Then it dawned on him. They didn't use condoms.

"Shit, we forgot about protection."

Mercedes kissed him.

"I know. I got caught up in the moment."

"Me too. I always use protection. But with you, I lost my head."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You don't have anything to worry about. I got tested not too long ago and I'm clean."

"I'm not worried."

"Are you sore?"

"I'm ok."

They held each other and all was silent until Sam said:

"I want to make something clear."

"What's that?"

"I never want you to cover yourself again. I meant what I said. You're gorgeous."

Mercedes hid her face in his chest.

"I just got nervous. You were just standing there staring at me and I thought, oh boy, I totally turned him off."

Sam urged her on to her back. He kneeled in front of her and lifted her legs so that her calves rested over his shoulders. Gazing down at her he said:

"Do I look turned off to you?"

Mercedes smiled up at him.

"Point taken."

"You're sure you're not sore?"

"Not one bit."

They made love again, and Sam noticed that at this angle, he could reach her G-spot even better than before, so he slammed into her, again and again, until she was a shivering mess, speaking gibberish. As he came inside her, he felt consumed by how good it all felt; it was even better than the first time. He had a brief fantasy of making love to her in every room of the house, on tabletops, dressers, stairways… and they wouldn't bother wearing clothes. They would just wander around naked and make love whenever they felt like it. Maybe they could do that on their honeymoon.

"Did you say honeymoon?" Mercedes asked him, tracing her fingers over his nipples.

Sam hadn't realized that he was thinking out loud, and tried to shrug it off.

"Huh?"

"I think you just said honey moon? What were you thinking about?"

"We should probably get dressed."

"Ok."

The sun was rising and the first golden rays shined through the curtains and despite everything; Sam felt blessed to be alive. He still wanted to know about Mercedes' mysterious phone call, but for some reason, that was the furthest thing from his mind, he had no doubt that she loved him and he was going to build a future with her and make her his wife. After they got dressed, they checked on Abby who was still asleep in the master bedroom, they each gave her a kiss on the cheek and then went to the spare bathroom and took a shower together, which turned into another lovemaking session with Mercedes holding the safety bars in the shower, as Sam entered her from behind, enjoying the view of her jiggling butt cheeks as they shook with each movement. The old school song Rump Shaker came to his mind as he hammered into her, urged on by her ecstasy laden moans and demands that he go faster... this time they came together, slick and wet under the shower spray, skin sliding on skin, as they held each other, her wet hair turned into a mass of kinky curls which fascinated Sam and he ran his fingers through it, loving the different texture. They stayed until the water ran cold, and dried each other off and put their pajamas back on. They went back to the master bedroom and found that Abby was awake. She was reading her kindle and listening to her iPod. For a second, Sam worried that she heard them.

"Did we wake you? he said.

She looked up and smiled, removing her earbuds, and shook her head. They each kissed her good morning and sat on the bed.

"What do you want for breakfast?" Mercedes said.

Abby grabbed her notepad from off the nightstand.

French toast

"French toast it is," Mercedes said, "I guess we need to go grocery shopping. How far is the supermarket from here?"

"About 10 minutes away," Sam said, lying back on the bed.

"Abby go wash up and we can go to the store, "Mercedes said, "And don't dawdle."

Abby went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Sam pulled Mercedes into his arms so that she lay on top of him.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"For what?"

"This morning. Everything really. For trusting me."

"Thank you for being patient with me."

"Hey, do you think we could..."

Mercedes nodded, understanding what he needed. She pulled away from him and sat in the middle of the bed Indian style and Sam sat in front of her in the same way. They held hands and gazed into each other's eyes. Sam needed to look into her eyes for as long as possible and see all that was inside her, all that he loved. He saw her sparkle and shine, all bright iridescent colors like sunshine shining through a prism; he saw her stubborn will, it was red and hot like coals burning in a fire, you could never get too close to that part of her because if you did, you would definitely be burned, but Sam didn't care, it was worth the scars, that iron will kept her going even when the world was against her; and he saw the warmth of her innocence, like when she drank hot chocolate with him and laughed at his jokes or told him the sound of the wind lulled her to sleep, this was her blue angel coming through, delicate and sweet, and there was her passion, white and burning, gold and bright, bits of purple splashed into the tapestry he imagined made of lace and silk and harp strings; it was bold and pure but also forbidden and nice all at once and how she opened up to him, trusted him, loved him... oh and he saw her sorrow, fading blue and black with the light of hope guiding her along and it was old photos and old songs, Shane's voice in her dreams; he saw her secrets, carefully wrapped in brown paper but with a few tears and openings, fighting to be released; and at long last he saw her heart, her great love for others and for herself, so big and vast it amazed him - it was light red, pink and yellow; this canyon of love she had for all who knew her and he was graced and blessed with this love every day, he felt humble, grateful, and loved; Mercedes and Abby gave him so much. He trembled as he stared into the dark brown pools of her eyes; no place was hidden from him. Tears fell from his eyes but he couldn't look away and neither could she, they moved closer together until their arms were around each other, and their bodies pressed together, consumed by this love between them.

"Mercedes."

He could only say her name. I love you seemed small. But her name, that was his and his alone. His love was beyond words.

"I know," she whispered.

They held each other, while the tears ran down their cheeks.

This was love eternal.

Of that Sam was sure.

END NOTES: Thanks for reading!