CHAPTER 9
Summary: Sam and Mercedes grow closer. Abby experiences a setback. Blaine's brother Cooper helps with the investigation concerning who bugged their home.
Rating: Mature - Sexual intercourse, mild cursing and violence
Notes: Sorry for the long wait!
I KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP
After they went to the supermarket and ate breakfast; they lounged around for a bit in the kitchen, and Mercedes insisted that Abby do her morning lesson, so that she wouldn't get behind in school. She had arranged for the teachers to send her the schoolwork via email. Abby huffed but she knew better than to throw a tantrum; because Mercedes wasn't the type of mother to put up with such antics. Sam watched the exchange with mild amusement as he loaded the dishwasher. Abby even used the defense that this was supposed to be a vacation; and kids didn't do homework on vacation. Sam thought she had a point but refrained from saying so. Mercedes shook her head and said that although that was true, this was different and to not argue about it any more and get to work. A defeated Abby retreated upstairs to the master bedroom where there was a desk she could use and nothing to distract her.
"And leave the door open," Mercedes said, "I don't want you sneaking and looking up blueprints online."
Sam laughed when Abby looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. It was such a typical thing for a child to do. Lately, Abby had been searching for blueprints of houses and buildings because they fascinated her. She wrote Sam a note and said that someday she was going to build her mother her dream house. After she was gone, he and Mercedes went into the living room and Sam started a fire in the fireplace. They settled on the couch, and Mercedes lay her head in his lap, while they looked out the window at the rolling hills behind the house. Sam played in her hair; he liked the kinky, curly texture it changed into after it got wet.
"I'll do my hair later," she said.
"You don't have to. I like it like this."
"Hmm," was all she said and then she yawned.
"Tired?"
"Yeah. You wore me out."
"I could say the same about you," he said, smiling down at her.
"True."
Not too long after that, Mercedes fell asleep, and Sam stroked her face, loving how soft her skin was, and recalling how good it felt to be buried inside her, and covering her plump body with his own. It amused him that she even thought for a second that he would be turned off by her. Even in the casual outfit she wore of black yoga pants and a loose fitting red sweater, she was beautiful to him. Tonight, after Abby was asleep, he planned on making love to her again, and while the thought brought him joy, a pang of sadness filled his chest, because he couldn't put a baby inside her, but he quickly brushed it aside; he closed his eyes and listened to the pleasant crackle of the fire burning; he was almost asleep when he heard his phone vibrating beside him. Yawning, he picked up the phone and saw it was Finn.
"Hey," he said.
"Why are you in Kentucky?"
Sam had forgotten that he sent Finn a text about his whereabouts late last night. He thought it was best that at least one family member knew where he was.
"It's a long story."
"I'm off today and Rachel took the kids to the Children's Museum. I've got all the time in the world."
"Ok, here's what happened…" Sam said and told Finn the whole story beginning with the stare down in the diner, to the black sedan following them and the bugging of the house.
"Wow, that's awful. How are Mercedes and Abby holding up?"
Sam touched Mercedes' cheek and smiled to himself when he heard her faint snoring. She was a heavy sleeper and very little ever woke her up.
"They're doing ok."
"You should get Blaine's brother Cooper to help you."
"Why?"
"He used to work for the FBI and now he owns his own security business."
"I only met the guy once at Kurt and Blaine's wedding."
"So what? I'm sure Blaine has his number."
"Ok. I'll call Blaine."
"Be careful. This whole thing sounds dangerous."
"Don't worry. I know how to protect myself and keep us safe."
"When are you coming back?"
"I don't know."
"I'd feel better if you went back to the police."
"We'll see. They weren't much help to begin with."
"I'll be praying for you," Finn said.
"Thanks, man, that means a lot."
They chatted for a few more minutes and then said good-bye. He gently removed Mercedes' head from his lap, gave her a quick kiss, and went into the kitchen and called Blaine.
"Hi Sam, how are you?" Blaine said, "Kurt isn't here."
"Hey Blaine, I'm actually calling to talk to you."
"Sure, what's on your mind?"
Sam told him everything that was going on and Blaine listened, not interrupting even once. After Sam told him the sordid tale, he said to Blaine:
"Do you think Cooper could help me?"
"Yes, he handles stuff like this all the time," Blaine said, "I can't believe this is happening. Who would bug your home?"
"I have no clue. I'm scared for Mercedes and Abby and I'm doing everything in my power to protect them."
"You think Will has something to do with this?"
"No, why?"
"I don't know. He's never liked you."
"True, but then again, he's never liked anybody."
"Yeah."
They talked for a few more minutes and Blaine gave Sam his brother's contact information.
"Cool, thanks."
"Any time and be careful."
"Don't worry. We are."
"You know I'm going to have to tell Kurt, and you know he's gonna freak out."
"I can handle him."
"Take care, Sam."
"Later."
Sam went into the kitchen and got a glass of orange juice. He looked out the window into the back yard at the acres of land, recalling all of the plans he and Quinn had for the property and how they talked about owning a few horses and planting some trees; he sighed and sipped his juice. He didn't miss Quinn or his marriage, but he missed the ability to dream; and think that anything in the world was possible. After his divorce, he lost that part of himself, but now, with Mercedes' love he could see himself getting it back. He finished his juice and called Cooper. The phone rang for a long time before Cooper answered.
"Cooper Anderson."
"Hi Cooper, it's Sam Hummel, I'm Kurt's brother."
"What do you want?"
"Pardon?"
"You called for a reason. So what is it?"
Sam didn't recall Cooper being a dick, but then again, Kurt and Blaine's wedding was such a grand, noisy affair with a swing band, white doves, and a jazz singer with blue hair that they didn't exactly have a chance to bond.
"Someone bugged my house. Blaine thought you could help me."
Cooper was silent. Sam wondered if he was still on the phone.
"Cooper?"
"Go on."
Sam told the story. When he was finished, Cooper said:
"And you're in Kentucky now?"
"Yes."
"I am too, for business. Let's meet this afternoon. What town are you in?"
"Holly Hill."
"Ok, I'm about 40 minutes away. What's your address?"
"726 Blue Ivy lane."
"I'll see you at 2:00," he said and hung up.
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON
Mercedes woke up in the living room to find Sam and Abby curled up together on the love seat watching Despicable Me and eating a large bowl of popcorn. She yawned and stretched her arms. Sam picked up the remote and paused the movie.
"So my Sleeping Beauty awakens, I was getting worried."
Mercedes rose from the couch and went over to them. Leaning down she kissed Sam on the lips and gave Abby a kiss too.
"All you had to do was kiss me."
"I'll remember that for next time," he said, pulling her down for another kiss.
Despite the potential danger they were in, Mercedes felt like this was a vacation. Making love to Sam in the early morning hours when the house was asleep showed her how much she missed being filled by a man she loved, not only physically, but emotionally too. She had only given herself to Shane and when he died she assumed that part of her life died with him; how lucky was she to have another man to give her heart to. I want this always she thought to herself as the kiss deepened; she only broke the kiss, when she heard the movie start again, pulling away from Sam, she saw that Abby now had the remote and had switched the movie back to play. Sam's eyes looked glazed over and he was breathing heavily. Mercedes knew he needed her.
"You've only seen this movie a thousand times," Mercedes said to Abby.
Abby only shrugged and smiled.
"Did you finish all your homework?"
Abby nodded.
"And I checked it for her. She got every question right, he said as he handed Abby the bowl of popcorn, he stood up and took Mercedes by the hand.
"Your mother and I need to be alone," Sam said, "If you need us, come upstairs, do you think you'll be ok down here?"
Abby nodded again and continued watching the movie.
Mercedes gripped Sam's hand as he led them upstairs to the bedroom. Once they were inside, he locked the door, and began undressing Mercedes, pulling her sweater over her head, she attempted to help him but he stopped her.
"Let me unwrap my present," he said.
Mercedes stood there, and let him undress her as if she were a child incapable of doing it herself. Sam tossed the sweater onto the bed and stared at her large breasts that filled the cups of her green satin bra, almost spilling over, he squeezed them before unfastening the bra and dropping it on the floor. He leaned down and lifted a breast to his plump lips and suckled; Mercedes gasped and her nipples became hard; he then switched breasts, sucking and fondling it, then he grabbed the waistband of her yoga pants and pulled them down her broad hips and thick thighs; he kneeled before her and placed gentle kisses on the triangle patch of hair between her legs; Mercedes grew wet, it was such a sweet, tender thing to do, it was like he was worshipping her.
"Thank you for giving yourself to me," he whispered as he continued to kiss the valley between her thighs while squeezing her full, plump ass. Mercedes could barely catch her breath; as the pleasure rippled through her body. Sam stood up and picked her up, laying her on the bed. He undressed and lay beside her, and together they explored each other's bodies, stroking and caressing every limb. Sam slipped his fingers inside her, pumping them slowly, and she responded, opening her legs wider; she closed her eyes.
"Look at me schatzen," he said.
Mercedes looked up at him and he cupped her sex, squeezing it. She reached for his beautiful hard shaft and stroked it. Sam removed his fingers and pulled away from her ministrations, situating himself between her spread legs; she was fully open to this man, in the bright afternoon sunlight, completely bare, with nothing hidden and no shame, and she never felt so safe and loved. Sam leaned down and kissed her before pushing himself into her tight canal that was now slick with her arousal. They moved together, becoming one, he felt wonderful inside her, and Mercedes arched her back.
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"Harder," she said between gasps; she wanted him reaching deeper inside her. He obliged and her big breasts bounced as he pounded into her.
"You're so beautiful," he said, leaning down and kissing her lips.
Mercedes smiled as tears filled her eyes; Sam's eyes glistened with tears too; with one final thrust, Mercedes lost herself and cried out as the orgasm exploded through her body, Sam came soon afterward, his seed spilling into her, and running down her, plump, soft thighs.
He lay on top of her and she stroked his back.
"Damn," he murmured into her neck and Mercedes giggled.
"I hope I wasn't too loud."
"I think we're ok."
"Yeah…"
Sam rolled off of her and gathered her in his arms, kissing her face, neck and lips. Mercedes relished the attention; Sam was such a kind, generous man; she was so grateful that he was in her life.
"I want to ask you something," she said.
"What's that?"
"What attracted you to me?"
"First off, you're beautiful and kind. You have a good sense of self. You shine without even knowing it -that's what drew me to you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, and you have a great ass and the best rack," he said, fondling the full, heavy mounds, in his callused hands, "Did you breast feed?"
"You want to know if my breasts got even bigger, right?"
"I'm a horny bastard. What can I say?"
Mercedes shook her head and kissed him.
"We better get dressed. I want to check on Abby."
"Ok."
They washed up in the bathroom and got dressed. When they got downstairs, the movie was ending and Abby was on her laptop looking at blue print designs. Mercedes kissed the top of her head.
"Are you hungry?"
Abby nodded and closed the laptop.
"Come on, let's go make lunch."
As they walked to the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Mercedes looked at Sam.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"Damn, I forgot."
"Forgot what?"
"Cooper."
"Who?"
"Blaine's brother. He runs a security business," he gave Mercedes a look that said let's not say anything else.
Mercedes took the hint and she and Abby went to the kitchen while he answered the door.
JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM
Sam checked his watch. It was exactly 2:01. He opened the door. Cooper stood on the porch wearing a gray wool coat, his strange blue eyes stared at Sam who noticed that his left eye was pale blue while the right eye was a darker blue, the color of the ocean. He looked nothing like Blaine who reminded Sam of a raven with his dark hair and eyes. Cooper looked like an Austrian ski instructor with his white blonde hair and pale skin. Perhaps they had different mothers, Sam mused.
"I apologize for being tardy," Cooper said.
"It's only one minute after two."
"And I said 2:00."
"Don't worry about it."
"Could you step outside for a moment?"
"Oh, I wanted you to meet my wife, I mean girlfriend and her daughter."
"That can wait."
Sam grabbed his coat from the hall closet and joined Cooper on the porch.
"What is it?"
"As I was driving, I was thinking that maybe your vehicle could have a tracking device on it. So it may not be safe here. I brought my scanner with me and it will detect any tracker."
"Alright," Sam said, feeling his stomach drop.
"I thought it was best that we did this alone. No need to upset your girlfriend and her daughter just yet."
Sam nodded and followed him to their parked cars. Cooper's car was a black Jaguar; he unlocked the door and pulled out a brown leather bag from the back seat. He opened up the bag and took out a black wand with a silver antenna and a small black box attached to it; a small round yellow light glowed on the box. He held up the wand.
"This scanner will detect any tracker on your vehicle, they can be quite small and easily installed with a magnet," Cooper said as he walked over to Sam's SUV, "Open the car please, I'm going to do an interior and exterior sweep."
Sam did as Cooper asked and stood there watching him as he waved the wand around the front and back seats, mumbling to himself, when he was finished with the inside of the car, he opened the trunk and did a sweep of that area too; then he checked the exterior and even popped the hood and checked the inside of the engine too. When he was finished he looked at Sam and said:
"No tracking devices. But I'm wondering if your girlfriend's car has one. We'll check once we go back to Bethel Rock. I'll have to find the bug in your house and remove it."
"Then what?"
"Then we'll figure out whose doing this."
"Should the police be involved?"
"We'll see about that. They sometimes do more harm than good. Come along, I'm starving and I want to get something to eat in town."
"We can eat here," Sam said, "Mercedes is making lunch."
"I want vodka with my lunch."
"I've got German Riesling."
Cooper considered it for a moment.
"Well… ok"
"She's a fantastic cook, you won't be disappointed."
"It's probably best that I stay anyway," Cooper said as he put the wand in his car, "I need to speak with her."
"Don't do it in front of Abbey, she doesn't know what's going on."
"I'm sure she knows more than you think. Children are quite perceptive. How long have you been seeing Mercedes?"
"About 5 months."
"What's her background?"
"Like what?"
"Where she grew up, does she have her degree, are her parents alive?"
"She grew up in Lima Ohio, got her undergraduate and graduate degree from University of Ohio and her parents are dead."
Cooper nodded and said nothing. They walked back to the house in silence. When they were inside, Sam put their coats in the hall closet. Cooper was dressed in a black tailored suit with a crisp white shirt and a bright red tie. Even his shoes were shined.
"Were you on your way to a funeral?" Sam said, trying to joke with him. Cooper stared at him, his odd colored eyes, trying to find a hidden meaning in Sam's face.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Sorry, it's just that you're all dressed up."
"I disagree. This is one of my more casual suits. I'm on the clock," he said, gazing at Sam's outfit, which consisted of an Avatar t-shirt and plaid pajama bottoms. Sam felt like a three year old next to Cooper.
"But you own the business."
"Which is why I dress the part. Off the clock is another matter altogether."
"Yeah, ok," Sam said.
As they walked to the kitchen they were met with the aroma of pork chops frying and corn boiling on the stove. Abby sat to the table watching a video on her iPad. When she saw Cooper standing in the doorway, her eyes grew wide and Sam said:
"Abby this is Blaine's brother Cooper, he came by to visit."
Abby stared at Cooper and Sam could see that she was wondering how they could be brothers. Cooper picked up on it and said to her:
"Blaine looks like our mother's side of the family. I assure you that I am his brother. Though, I'm the better looking one, don't you think?"
Abby smiled.
What are you watching on your tablet?" Cooper said as he sat down beside her at the kitchen table. Sam was flabbergasted. Cooper was the last person he thought that would interact so well with Abby. He took Mercedes' hand and cleared his throat.
"This is my girlfriend Mercedes Tinsley."
Mercedes put a lid on the skillet before going over to the table and shaking Cooper's hand.
"Nice to meet you. I hope you're staying for lunch."
"I am," he said, and he looked at the skillet. He stood up and went to the stove, and lifted the lid; he picked up the spatula on the counter and turned over each pork chop; he made a funny sound in his throat as he lowered the heat, then he glanced at Mercedes who stood there watching him in quiet disbelief.
"Give them four minutes then turn off the heat and let them sit for eight minutes," he said and sat down again next to Abby.
Mercedes raised her eyebrows.
"I'll see about that. So what brings you to Kentucky?"
"Business," he said and returned his attention to Abby's tablet, which played a video of a construction crew building a house. Cooper kept up the conversation with Abby and not once did he act as if her muteness was peculiar. When the food was ready, Sam and Mercedes set the table.
During the meal, Cooper mostly chatted with Abby and ignored Sam and Mercedes altogether. Sam wasn't sure how to take this bizarre man that was helping him; and he could tell by Mercedes' expression that she wasn't sure either. The food was good and Sam hadn't realized how hungry he was until he began eating the tender pork chops with thick brown gravy. Cooper sipped his glass of German Riesling, and took small bites of his meat, while Abby showed him more videos on her tablet. She even sketched a picture of a house for him on her pink notepad.
"You're going to build this house someday?" Cooper said.
Abby nodded as she cut open her biscuit and slathered some butter onto it; then she pointed to her mother.
"I see. You're building this house for her," Cooper said.
Abby smiled and ate her biscuit.
"That's a lovely thing to do."
When they were finished eating, Cooper insisted on loading the dishwasher. Abby helped him and then went upstairs to read. Mercedes brewed a pot of coffee, and the three of them settled in the living room in front of the fireplace. Cooper only sat for a few minutes and grew restless; he walked over to the window and gazed at the snow-covered hills. He looked over his shoulder at Mercedes and said:
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Mercedes put her mug of coffee on the table and glanced at Sam.
"I didn't tell him anything," Sam said, "I swear."
"I figured it out on my own," Cooper said, his white blonde hair gleamed in the sunlight, his odd, blue eyes were pensive, and "Abby's muteness is a result of trauma."
"She saw her father get shot," Mercedes said.
Cooper turned back to the window.
"Only the loss of a parent or close loved one could make a person, especially a child, shut down like that."
"So how do you plan on helping us? Mercedes said, "Sam told me about your security business."
"I have some questions for you."
"Ok."
"Do you have reason to believe that anyone in your life would want to harm you?"
"No, not at all, why?"
"Because I don't think the people that bugged Sam's house are after him. It's you."
"How do you figure?" Sam asked, "I've dated some crazy women and my ex-wife is –"
Cooper held up his hand.
"Let me finish."
"Sorry."
"Mercedes have you kept in touch with your family and friends since moving to Bethel Rock?"
"I'm a bit of a loner."
"Sam told me your parents are dead."
"They died in a fire. My Aunt Josephine raised me."
"Have you seen her recently?"
"No, but we talk on the phone… things are strained."
"Why?"
"Do you really need to know that?" Sam said, "What does that have to do with anything?"
Cooper smiled and walked over to the love seat adjacent to the couch and sat down.
"Your protective nature is admirable, but not helpful."
"I'm fine, Sam," Mercedes said, squeezing his hand, "I want to get to the bottom of this."
"You were saying that things are strained with your Aunt Josephine," Cooper said, prompting her.
Mercedes looked down at the floor and then met his cool gaze.
"She didn't approve of me leaving Lima. But I had to start over. Nothing was left for me there."
"No boyfriend?"
"No."
Cooper leaned over and picked up his mug of coffee. He took a sip and sat there in silence.
"Tell me what you think is going on," she said.
"Have you found that your cell phone has been acting funny?"
"How so?"
"Does it light up or beep for no reason? Have you received any odd texts?"
Mercedes thought for a moment.
"Actually I have, but my phone is old, so I just thought – "
"Do you have it with you now?"
"No, we were rushing around so much to get out of there that I left it behind. I have an emergency flip phone that I use and that was in my purse."
"May I see it?"
"Of course. I'll go get it."
When she was gone, Sam said:
"I appreciate your help but I don't want you upsetting Mercedes. What was that about a boyfriend?"
"Sam, I see that you love her. But you don't know –"
Just then Mercedes walked into the living room carrying her red emergency flip phone, and handed it to Cooper.
"Here you go."
"Have you used it since you left Bethel Rock," he asked as he began to take it apart, surveying its contents.
"Only twice."
"Whom did you call?"
"Aunt Josephine and my friend Tina."
"Were you on the phone for long?"
"Just a few minutes. Why?"
Cooper didn't answer her. Instead he looked carefully inside the phone; then he breathed out a long sigh.
"This one's clean. The other one was probably bugged."
"Are we safe here?" She asked.
"You should be."
"I'm scared," she said, sitting down on the couch beside Sam, who put his arm around her and kissed her temple, "I can't hide in Kentucky forever."
Cooper reassembled her phone and placed it on the table. Sam wished he could take away all of her fear but knew that wasn't possible, so he stood by her instead. Even if it meant putting his own life on the line in order to save her and Abby, it would be worth it, and now that Abby and Mercedes had captured his heart, he felt like something had been awakened inside him, like a light shining through an impenetrable darkness. He could write a million love songs about this woman beside him, and it would never be enough. And if she broke his heart tomorrow, he would never regret a single moment they spent together.
"I'll keep you safe," Sam whispered, tightening his arm around her.
Cooper stood up.
"I have to be going. I'll go to Bethel Rock tomorrow with my crew."
"What if that guy who was following us shows up at my house while you're there?" Sam said.
"I'll handle it," Cooper said as he walked out the room. Sam kissed Mercedes and followed Cooper. He found him opening the hall closet and retrieving his coat.
"Thank you for helping us," Sam said.
"Abby knows what's going on."
"What?"
Cooper reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a folded up piece of pink paper and handed it to Sam, he opened the note and read it out loud: "Somebody is watching us."
"I can't believe it."
Cooper put on his coat.
"I told you children are perceptive."
"She hasn't been acting differently."
"She feels safe with you."
"How did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Connect with Abby like that?"
"I communicated with her in her own way. It's very simple."
"But you had no warning."
"Warnings aren't always needed."
Cooper walked to the front door.
"I'll call you after I left your house."
"Maybe I should go with you."
"No, I can handle this."
Sam knew Cooper was right, and he wanted to stay with Mercedes and Abby, but part of him wanted to see what they found at his house. He opened the door and walked Cooper to his car. The sun shined bright and the air was cold. When they reached Cooper's car, he turned to Sam and said:
"Only go out when necessary. Otherwise, stay in the house as much as you can."
"Why would anyone want to follow Mercedes?"
"I don't know."
Sam didn't press the issue. He just stood there and watched Cooper drive away.
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
That night Mercedes was anxious. She wondered who could be following her and bugging Sam's house. Her thoughts always drifted to Puck. But Puck was the past. What could he possibly want? She heard Sam snap his fingers.
"Mercedes?"
"Yes?"
"It's your turn."
They were playing Monopoly in the living room. Abby handed her the dice. Mercedes took her turn and landed on Marven Gardens, much to Sam's delight.
"You owe me 500.00."
Mercedes heard something tap against the window.
"Do you hear that?"
"What?"
"Something is at the window."
Sam listened for a few moments and the tapping sound started again.
"Sam what is that?"
Sam got up from the floor and went to the window, pushing aside the heavy curtains.
"Its just a tree branch hitting against the glass."
He sat back down on the floor next to her and kissed her cheek.
"Nothing to worry about."
Mercedes tried to return his reassuring smile but she couldn't; instead she handed him the dice.
"Your turn."
Sam took the dice and set them on the board.
"We don't have to finish playing. Let's go to bed."
Abby yawned and didn't protest bedtime the way she normally did. They put the game away and turned off the lights. After everyone brushed their teeth and changed into their pajamas, Sam sang Abby to sleep. Ever since he began this bedtime ritual, Abby only sleep walked once in the last month. His lullaby helped her with her sleep disorder. When Abby fell asleep, he and Mercedes kissed each other goodnight and fell asleep too. Mercedes had nightmares about Shane and Puck; images of blood and Shane's grave jolted her awake, her heart hammered in her chest, and her head ached. Abby and Sam slept peacefully beside her. Then she heard a noise; it sounded like footsteps.
"Sam?" she whispered as she reached over Abby and shook his shoulder, "Sam, wake up."
Sam kept snoring away into his pillow. Mercedes shook him again harder.
"Sam, please, someone is in the house."
He slowly opened his eyes and stared at her.
"What… what's wrong?"
"Listen."
"To what?"
"I heard footsteps."
"You're dreaming, go back to sleep."
"I am not dreaming. Listen."
They both sat up in the bed and listened for a few moments.
"I don't hear anything."
"I'm not making this up."
"Schatzen, you –"
Then they heard the dreaded sound of footsteps. Sam got out of bed and opened his backpack.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting my gun."
"Since when do you have a – "
"I want you and Abby to go into the bathroom and lock the door. Call 911. Do not come out unless I say so."
"But –"
Sam shook his head.
"I won't have anything happen to you or Abby."
Tears streamed down Mercedes' face as she picked up Abby. She knew he was only doing what he thought was best. She went into the bathroom and locked the door. Abby woke up and looked at Mercedes; a confused expression masked her face.
"Go back to sleep," Mercedes whispered, kissing her forehead, "We're playing hide and seek."
Abby's dark eyes narrowed a bit, trying to understand what Mercedes was saying. Mercedes figured that she probably thought this was a dream. Abby closed her eyes and snuggled against her. Mercedes sat on the floor, took out her cellphone, and called 911.
ooo
Sam clutched the gun as he crept down the stairs. The footsteps came from the living room. He followed the sound, feeling sick to his stomach, wondering how many intruders were in the house. He wished he knew how they disabled the alarm system. Were they professionals? Or someone they knew who had access to the code? He saw a tall, shadowy figure near the window. He counted to three and fired the gun, the intruder fell to the ground, screaming out in pain.
"Fuck!"
Sam recognized the voice. He turned on the light and found Will Schuester lying on the floor, clutching his leg and bleeding onto the rug.
"Son of a bitch, why did you shoot me?" Will said looking up at him.
"What the hell are you doing in my house?"
Sam heard Abby scream. As he was about to go upstairs, Quinn came running into the living room. She wore an oversized red plaid shirt that once belonged to Sam, her long, blond hair was disheveled. She looked at Sam and then at Will. She fell to her knees beside Will, grabbing his face:
"Are you ok?" Will only groaned in response. She saw the gun in Sam's hand.
"How could you –"
Sam didn't bother to hear what she had to say. Abby's screaming grew louder and he had to help her, even though he was the cause of it. He put the gun on the windowsill ran upstairs to the bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Mercedes, it's Sam, open the door."
She opened the door and he went into the bathroom. Abby was huddled in the tub, rocking to and fro, her eyes closed.
"She won't let me touch her. We heard a gun shot."
Seeing Abby like this tore Sam inside and out, never in his life had he witnessed something so heartbreaking; it was worse than the day that they built the birdhouse.
"Abby…"
She kept rocking, not acknowledging him at all.
"I can't reach her. What happened downstairs?" Mercedes said.
"Will and Quinn are here. There was an accident."
"What kind of accident?"
Sam shook his head, indicating that enough was said in front of Abby. He turned his attention to her huddled figure in the tub.
"Abby, I need you to stay with us, ok sugar plum? Touch the wall. Can you feel the wall?"
"Sam, what are you –"
"Trust me," he said, taking her hand in his.
Mercedes squeezed his hand. Sam kissed her forehead and turned back to Abby.
"Abby, you're in a house in Kentucky with your mother and Sam. Touch the wall."
She reached out and placed her palm against the white tiled wall.
"Good girl, now tap the bottom of the tub."
Abby rapped her small, brown fist against the heavy porcelain tub, the dull thuds echoed throughout the bathroom.
"Hear the sound it makes?" Sam said, "Listen to it. You're not in that place anymore. You're here with us and you're safe and protected. We love you, Abby, now open your eyes."
Abby stopped rocking and turned her head, slowly opening her eyes.
Sam and Mercedes kneeled in front of the tub, resting their hands on the edge. Even though Sam, only wanted to hug Abby to his chest and hold her tight; he knew that such a sudden display of emotion could prove detrimental to the progress they made. So they waited. Abby stared at them and then untangled herself from the tight ball she had shaped into and turned to face them, her skinny, little arms opened up, and she leaned forward, resting her body against the white porcelain barrier between them, as she placed her arms around them. Sam lifted her out of the tub, and he and Mercedes hugged Abby together, telling her how much they loved her.
Sirens blared outside. He kissed Mercedes and Abby on the cheek and said:
"I'm going downstairs to handle things."
Mercedes nodded and he looked down at her once more and this time he kissed her on the lips and whispered that he loved her. She held Abby and once they were settled together on the bed, Sam went to face the police.
They pounded on the front door.
"Open up! This is the police. We got a call about a home invasion!"
Sam was surprised to see Quinn at the front door. She was about to open it and Sam said:
"I should probably talk to them."
"No, let me do it. You're too emotional."
"What?"
Quinn opened the door. Two police officers stood on the porch. One was well over six feet and had a mustache like a walrus; his badge said M. O'Connell; the other was short and rotund, his face was pock marked; and his badge said .
"Thank you so much for coming," Quinn said as if she had invited them to a barbecue.
O'Connell squinted under the bright florescent porch light.
"Are you ok?"
"There's been a terrible misunderstanding."
"Is there an intruder in your house?" Smith said.
A few tears escaped Quinn's ocean blue eyes and she lowered her voice.
"It's been an awful night."
"911 got a call from a distraught woman –" Smith said.
Quinn glanced at Sam, a question in her eyes, but Sam looked away.
"I called. I thought my ex-husband was an intruder."
"And he's your ex?" Smith said pointing to Sam.
"Yes," Quinn said.
Sam held out his hand.
"Sam Hummel, nice to meet you."
Both officers ignored his offer of a handshake.
"Mind if we come inside and look around?" O'Connell said making his way into the house.
"We got another call about a gunshot heard on this property," Smith said, frowning at Sam, "You know anything about that?"
"That was my fault," Quinn said, "It was a warning shot, she said, pointing at Sam who stood there flabbergasted, "Like I said, I thought he was an intruder."
O'Connell gazed down at Quinn, who bit her bottom lip, and wiped away the tears from her cheeks. She played him like a violin.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused," Quinn said, her voice sounding like a sexy nymph.
"It's ok," O'Connell said, stepping closer to her, "Thank God no one was hurt."
"Wait a minute, why did you think he was an intruder? Didn't you know he would be here?" Smith said, glaring at Quinn.
"The schedules got mixed up."
"Do you have a gun permit?"
"Yes of course, would you like to see it?"
Smith nodded his head, but O'Connell didn't think seeing the permit was necessary.
"No need for that. All's clear here, let's get a move on."
When they were gone. Sam and Quinn went back to the living room to check on Will, who was now sitting up and leaning against the wall.
"I need to go to the hospital."
"Come on, help me get him to my car," Quinn said to Sam.
"Don't you think we should call for an ambulance?"
"Are you crazy? Not after what happened."
"Why are you here?"
"We needed to get away, that's all."
"You know you're not supposed to be here," Sam said, "It's my house."
"I've used it before. Besides, I always thought of it as our house."
"Nothing is ours any more, and you've only used it with my permission."
"If anyone cares, I've been shot," Will said as he struggled to stand up on his own.
Sam helped him off the floor. "I'm sorry for shooting you. But I thought you were intruders."
"What if it had been Quinn? I should press charges. Do you even have a permit?"
"As a matter of fact I do."
"She's upstairs, isn't she?" Quinn said as she put her arm around Will's waist, "I heard a scream."
"Yes, Mercedes and Abby are here."
"I have a bullet in my thigh because of this asshole, and you're asking about his fat girlfriend!"
Sam didn't think before what he did next; he punched Will in the face, and he collapsed back onto the floor.
"Don't you ever insult Mercedes like that, you miserable, old, prick. You think that baby is yours?"
"Sam, calm down," Quinn said.
Will wiped the blood trickling from his mouth.
"It hurts to know that I could give her something you couldn't. At least my shit works."
Sam knew that Quinn had other lovers besides Will before they got married. It was plausible that some other man got her pregnant and not this geriatric slime ball. Sam didn't say anything else. He no longer loved Quinn and he only said what he did because of Will's rude remark about Mercedes, whom he had come to think of as his wife unbeknownst to her.
"You can't press charges because I covered for him," Quinn said leaning down to help Will once again, "We shouldn't have come without permission."
"Are you out of your fucking mind? Not getting permission doesn't warrant getting shot."
"It does when your family's lives are at stake," Sam said, grabbing Will's arm and pulling him up along with Quinn, "I would never let anyone hurt Mercedes and Abby."
"What if you killed me?"
"I aimed for your leg."
"So?"
As they hobbled together to the door, Mercedes came downstairs.
"Sam, is everything alright?"
Sam left Will and Quinn by the door and went to Mercedes.
"How's Abby?"
"She's asleep. Please tell me what happened."
"Did Sam tell you we bought this place hoping we could raise a family here?" Quinn said, for no other reason that Sam could think of except to be a bitch.
"Nice to see you again, Quinn," Mercedes said then looked at Will and said, "Are you ok?"
"Your boyfriend shot me."
"It was an accident," Quinn said, "We're sorry that we scared you."
"It was a big mistake for you coming here like this," Sam said opening the door, and pushing them out into the blistering cold air.
"Aren't you coming with us? I can't manage this alone."
"I'll help you to the car."
He glanced over at Mercedes.
"I'll be back in a minute."
"Be careful," she said, her eyes filled with worry.
They quickly walked to the car. After they piled Will into the backseat so he could lie down, Quinn got in the car and started the engine.
"Come to the hospital with me."
"No."
"I protected you."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I just felt that if I didn't things would be worse."
"I have to go."
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"I – I guess I'll see you around."
"Bye."
ooo
When he returned to the house, Mercedes was in the kitchen making hot chocolate. She stood by the stove, stirring a pot of milk. Sam walked up behind her and encircled his arms around her lovely, wide waist, and kissed her neck.
"I'm sorry for everything."
"It wasn't your fault." Her tone was strained.
"I didn't tell you about the gun because I thought it would upset you."
Mercedes stirred the milk.
"I wish you had told me. Especially with Abby."
"Is it something you can live with?"
The milk began to boil and she turned off the heat.
"How important is it to you?"
"Not as important as you and Abby."
"I'm not asking you to give it up. I just… I don't' know."
She put heaping spoons of hot chocolate mix into two mugs and poured the hot milk into them, when she was finished, she picked up the mugs and walked over to table, Sam pulled a chair out for her and then he sat down too. She slid a mug toward him.
"Here."
"Thanks."
Mercedes reached over and held his hand.
"I'm grateful to you for what you did with Abby tonight. I've never seen her like that. She's had panic attacks before but this was different."
"It broke my heart seeing her like that and knowing I was the cause."
"You were protecting us."
"Come here," he said, tugging on her arm. He pushed his chair away from the table and she sat on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, loving her plush warmth, and faint smell of warm milk and chocolate.
Mercedes kissed him and rested her head on his shoulder. Sam wanted to show her peace when all she felt was turmoil, and reach deep inside her. He needed to read her. He stood up and carried her to the guest bedroom upstairs; and he didn't lock the door; he only closed it halfway, in case Abby woke up and needed them. He took a few cushions off the bed and placed them on the floor and found some vanilla scented votive candles in the closet and lit them, arranging them around the cushions on the floor. He turned off the lights and the candlelight burned bright in the darkness. Mercedes removed her nightgown and he undressed too. They sat facing each other in the golden light, Indian style, with their knees touching, holding hands. They looked inside each other, seeking comfort, giving love. Sam thought Mercedes never looked so beautiful to him, her voluptuous curves resembled a bronze statue that he always loved as a child, it depicted a big woman with flowing hair, and she sat on a crescent of the moon, carefree and happy, her hair was twisted like ivy, it was called the moon goddess and he would stare at it for hours, Mercedes was as otherworldly as that statue, and as he gazed into her wide, expressive eyes, his heart swelled.
They mirrored each other's movements, taking deep breaths together, their chests rising and falling in synchronization, like a choreographed dance. His eyes fell to her rounded belly, knowing that he couldn't fill her womb, but marveling at the fact that she carried a treasure as precious as Abby, made him joyful, her huge breasts were his soft place to land, and of course he claimed her magnificent heart, that big heart, that let everyone in. That's what was most glorious to him; that light inside her was greater than the candlelight that shined on her velvet skin. The beauty of her spirit consumed him. In his silent gaze, he sent out his plea for forgiveness, asking her to understand how much she and Abby meant to him; that he would never allow any harm to come to them and he knew that she understood as she clutched his hands in hers.
ooo
It felt natural to Mercedes to be naked in the candlelight with no physical barriers as their spirits and souls intertwined. She knew his heart was sorry about the gun and Abby's panic attack, and she felt his silent plea for forgiveness. Her eyes roamed over his muscular frame, firm thighs, and smooth pale chest. She reached out and placed her hand on his thumping heart and he did the same with her. He was her rock. Sam was a born protector and she accepted that. His gentle green eyes could flash in anger but could also twinkle with merriment; and she looked into them and saw the man that she would love forever. The way he loved her and Abby was amazing. Sam always said that she had a light, well in Mercedes' eyes, he shined too, sometimes soft as the candlelight that surrounded them and other times he flashed like lightening during a storm. She stroked his face and kissed his full lips. They lay down on their sides; facing each other and inched closer together until their chests and bellies pressed together. Mercedes placed her leg over his and they held each other, their hands gliding over the other's back. Sam hummed in her ear.
"Sweet, sweet baby…"
Mercedes' tears fell onto his shoulder. Tonight shattered her sense of safety. She cried as all her emotions tumbled out, but she was so grateful they were safe and alive. When she was finished she pulled away from him and rested her forehead against his, staring into his tear-filled eyes, loving him even more. Sam kissed her forehead, cheeks, and then her lips. He kissed her shoulders and lifted each breast and gave a feather light kiss to each pendulous mound and then squeezed the flesh of her belly.
Now do you see? He said with each kiss and caress. Now do you see how I would risk my life for you and Abby, and how much you mean to me?
Mercedes nodded, holding him to her heart.
Yes, she answered him in her embrace, her gentle touch, soothing his pain as well. I see everything now. I understand.
I love you.
I love you too.
They held each other a long time until their tears dried on each other's skin and the candles burned low. Sam helped her off the floor and blew out the flickering flames as she put her nightgown on again. He slipped on his pajamas and they went to the master bedroom where Abby was sound asleep. They got in bed with Sam on the left and Mercedes on the right, and they placed their arms around the precious little girl whom they loved very much.
TEARS AND PAIN
The next morning while Sam and Abby were downstairs making Krapfen, which Sam explained were fried German jelly-filled doughnuts, Mercedes called Aunt Josephine to check in. She smiled when she heard Sam singing Shake It Off to amuse Abby. The phone rang for a while before Aunt Josephine finally answered it.
"Gal, you had me worried sick. Leaving some strange message about Kentucky," Aunt Josephine said, and Mercedes pictured her in the kitchen with a bright yellow mug of coffee, her hair in sponge curlers.
"I'm sorry. I can't say too much but I'm safe."
"That man you're with got you in some kind of trouble?"
"No, nothing like that."
"How's my baby?"
"She's fine."
"I've been missing her something awful."
"We miss you too."
"Humph, funny way of showing it."
"I just called to let you know we're fine."
"Thank you. I was worried. You know, Puck came by to see me."
"What? When?"
"Yesterday. He's back in town."
"I know."
"He called you?"
"Yes."
"Well, he brought me my favorite almond cake from the Hudson Bakery, you know how much I love those cakes."
"What did he want."
"Just being nice… I always did like him."
"I have to go Aunt Josephine. I'll talk with you soon."
"Give Abby a kiss for me."
"Sure, thing, bye."
ooo
Even though Sam tried to be cheerful and get Abby to laugh, the little girl only smiled sadly as she helped him sprinkle powdered-sugar on the krapfen. The kitchen smelled like sweet fried dough and raspberry jam. The doughnuts were lightly browned and puffed up and arranged on a large blue plate. When they were finished, Sam said:
"How about sausage and eggs too?"
Abby looked up at him and nodded, her eyes vacant.
"Abby?"
She began to cry and he knelt down and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm here, Abby," he whispered.
She cried into his neck and he hugged her tight.
"We're safe, sugar plum, ok? I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
Abby shook her head and pulled out of his embrace. She picked up her notepad off of the table and wrote a note.
But who is protecting you?
"Sweetie, God protects all of us and he protects me too. And I can take of myself, don't worry."
Abby wrote another note.
Nobody protected Daddy. I couldn't save him.
"Oh, Abby… "
Sam had no idea how to respond. How could he explain to an 8 year old girl that it wasn't her job to save her father; that she couldn't save him; that sometimes things happen in life that are terrible and cruel. He couldn't imagine seeing his own father get shot and killed in front of him and he was an adult, how tragic for a little girl to see her world taken away like that?
"I don't have all the answers. I only know that bad stuff happens and we can't always control it. But trust me on this, I love you and your mother very much, and we'll get through this together."
Abby hugged him and began to cry again. Sam felt her tears in his heart and it twisted it him inside out, knowing the emotional pain Abby carried around with her. After a spell, she stopped crying and Sam wiped her face with a napkin.
"How about we take the krapfen upstairs and have breakfast in bed with your Mom?"
Abby smiled and kissed his cheek, a small act that melted Sam's heart.
ooo
Quinn called later that day to report that Will was fine and it was a flesh wound. Sam figured that much but told Quinn he was happy to hear that he was ok.
"So are you headed for home?" Sam asked her. He was in the pantry looking for chicken broth. He wanted to make chicken soup for lunch.
"We're leaving tomorrow."
"Have a safe trip," he said as he took two cans of chicken broth off the top shelf and walked back into the kitchen.
"Sam, can I ask you something?"
"I really have to get started on lunch," he said, wanting to end the phone call.
"Please?"
"What is it?"
"Why did you bring her to our house?"
"We're divorced."
"You know what I mean."
"Actually I don't."
"Do you love her?"
"Yes."
"More than you did me?"
"Quinn, please I -"
"I saw how you looked at her last night. You never looked at me like that."
"There's your answer."
"Well, I need to know why."
"Why what?"
"Why do you love her?"
"Why do you care?"
"I don't know."
"I have to go," he said and ended the call.
FEEL LIKE MAKING LOVE
After they spent the evening roasting marshmallows and watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Abby fell asleep snuggled between Mercedes and Sam on the couch. Sam carried her up to bed and after she was carefully tucked in, he and Mercedes went to the bedroom across the hall where they undressed and made love in the dim, yellow lamplight. Sam never desired a woman as much as he did Mercedes. As he slid into her, she looked up at him with such love and adoration, that it lit a fire in him, and giving her pleasure was a joyful experience; he loved seeing her crumble and fall apart, biting her lip and squeezing him in her slick heat, her body meeting his thrusts, all of her imperfections were perfection to him, from the sexy jiggle of her cellulite dimpled thighs, to the slight sagging of her heavy breasts; this was the body of a real woman, who loved without walls and gave herself to him completely. She was almost there, close to coming, he heard it in her moans and shallow, quick breaths, and he had to take her over the edge. He thrust deeper inside her, flexing his strong hips and watching her take all of him, disappearing between her petal soft folds; it was beautiful seeing how they joined together, feeling the glorious tightness that squeezed him just right.
"Sam, baby…"
He leaned down and kissed her, whispering in her ear:
"Come schatzen."
And she did, crying out and clinging to him, he kept up the pace and soon he came too, filling her up with all that he had.
Sam was spent and he fell on top of her, pressing his hard sweaty, chest against her soft mounds; she wrapped her arms around him, rubbing his back, and he was about to pull out but she held onto him.
"I like how you feel inside me."
Sam smiled, kissing her lips.
ooo
They cuddled for a long time, talking in the darkness; the moonlight shined through the curtains. Sam enjoyed having Mercedes in his arms; in his mind, that's where she belonged. He kissed the top of her head, and stroked her curly, kinky hair.
"You really like my hair like this don't you?" Mercedes said, kissing his chest.
"Yes, is that a problem?" he teased.
"No, silly."
"Then why did you ask?"
Mercedes chuckled.
"Aunt Josephine, that's why. To her, un-straightened hair on a black woman is a sin, right up there with murder and adultery."
Sam laughed and glided his hand over her wide hip. Child bearing hips are what men used to call them back in the day. A woman with hips like hers were made for pushing out babies, and the thought saddened him, but he shoved it out of his mind and marveled at her body, giving her plush butt cheeks, a few playful squeezes.
"Ouch," Mercedes said, laughing, "Careful with the rump."
"I like this rump."
"Yours ain't half bad either."
They began kissing and caressing each other and soon Sam felt himself harden. He sat up and pulled Mercedes onto his lap; she opened her legs and guided him inside her, and soon she was riding him, bouncing up and down. Sam groaned at how good it all felt as he suckled her breasts.
"Can't hold on for long," he said.
"Don't, just let go."
He kissed her. God, he loved her. But it felt selfish if he came first for some reason.
"We'll try together," he said.
Mercedes gyrated her hips and nodded and a few moments later, they came as one, shaking and moaning together. Sam hugged her tight.
"I like it better this way," he said.
Mercedes nodded, understanding his need for it to happen the way it did.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Long after they showered and returned to the master bedroom where Abby slept, Sam lay awake with his arm around Abby and holding Mercedes' hand, he looked at them in the orange glow of the night light and wondered what the future held and what Cooper found in Bethel Rock.