CHAPTER 24
SUMMARY: Cooper and LaTonya have a small wedding reception; Sam and Mercedes share an intimate night; and Sam has a surprise for Mercedes
RATING: Mature
WARNING: Cursing, sexual situations
THE SOUND OF FIREFLIES
After they finished dinner, the waiters served the wedding cake: it was a three-layered white cake with lemon filling and butter cream frosting. Purple and blue violets sculpted from pulled sugar, and iridescent sugar sprinkles decorated the cake. Cooper and LaTonya cut the first piece together, feeding each other a bite, getting frosting on their chins as they kissed one another. LaTonya never thought she could be so happy as she sat on Cooper's lap, eating cake and laughing and talking with the others at the table. It was a small gathering, but the intimacy was joyous, with Cooper's possessive arms around her, rubbing her belly, kissing her neck, loving every part of her.
The twins looked adorable. Rosy wore a lacy peach taffeta dress with a full skirt and shiny black patent leather shoes and white tights; her blonde hair was in Shirley Temple curls and pulled up in a high pony tail with a peach satin ribbon tied around it; and Jake wore a tuxedo, his black hair was freshly cut, he kicked off his dress shoes and he now only wore black socks on his plump little feet; they sat in high chairs; cake crumbs, lemon-filling and frosting covered their chubby hands and cheeks, and stained the white terry cloth bibs they wore emblazoned with the gold hotel logo; they laughed and giggled together as they ate the cake.
Blaine and Kurt's three year old daughter Carrie sat beside them in her blue satin dress, singing about cowboys as she ate her cake, her fathers whispered to her to quiet down, patting her brown, curly haired head, but smiling at her enthusiasm. Abby, Sam, and Mercedes chatted with Paul Dill while keeping an eye on the twins. LaTonya was glad that he could make it; she was always fond of Paul, and she knew that he was truly Cooper's friend, despite their differences, a familial love was shared between them.
She looked into Cooper's eyes: one light blue, the other a darker blue, mix-matched and beautiful. She kissed his cheek.
"I want our baby to have your eyes."
"Why?"
"I like them."
"I much prefer yours."
She looped her arms around his neck.
"And I prefer yours."
He smiled and kissed her.
"We'll just have to wait and see."
After everyone finished their cake, the waiters served sparkling white grape juice in tall, slender, gold rimmed crystal champagne flutes to the adults and Abby, and sippy cups filled with apple juice to the younger children. Then Cooper made an announcement.
"Everyone, after you've finished your drinks. Please follow me outside."
LaTonya took a sip of her juice.
"Why?"
"You'll see."
She wondered what he was up to, but asked no questions and finished her drink. When they were done, Cooper led them outside to the courtyard, which had been transformed, into a midsummer night's dream wonderland. White fairy lights were strung on the flower bushes, trees, and trellis and candles were everywhere: surrounding the pond and lined up along the walkway. A small chamber music band was set up on the lawn playing a Celtic melody. A round white table was also set up with refreshments: fruit salad cups, mini white cupcakes, bottled water and juice.
"I couldn't get fireworks, but this was the next best thing," he said leading her to the portable round outdoor dance floor surrounded by four tall wooden white poles with fairy lights wrapped around each pole, and each string of lights was crisscrossed overhead like a canopy; the courtyard was showered with twinkling stars and firelight.
"May I have this dance?" he said.
LaTonya nodded as tears trickled down her cheeks, and Cooper held her close as the band began to play My Moon and Stars.
"I know how much you love to dance," he whispered in her ear, "Are you happy?"
LaTonya kissed him.
"You always amaze me. Thank you."
Sam and Mercedes and Kurt and Blaine danced too, whispering and kissing one another as they moved to the ethereal music. Paul Dill and Abby entertained the children and danced and played Ring Around the Rosy with them, which excited Rosy because the nursery rhyme had her name in it, making her extra giddy with laughter, as they fell to the ground, the candle and fairy light illuminating their faces. LaTonya closed her eyes, resting her head on Cooper's shoulder, inhaling his spicy, herbal scent, and held him close to her heart, this was what magic felt like.
She floated.
With the stars above.
And the spirit of her joy.
Pure love surrounded them.
The evening breeze blew across their skin, lilacs and honeysuckle perfumed the air with their delicate fragrance, and then the fireflies came, adding to all of the enchanted light encircling them, their tiny green and yellow lights flicking on and off, amusing the children as they ran around the courtyard trying to capture the luminescent bugs in their eager hands.
LaTonya remembered when she was a little girl, and her mother was alive, that she said if you listened close enough, you could hear the firefly's lights turn on and off, and LaTonya would sit in their backyard gazebo, listening really hard, trying to hear that tiny click. She never could, much to her dismay, but she kept trying anyway, and her mother would hold her hand and listen too. Even if she never heard it, it was nice to believe that it happened, that something so small and wonderful could occur.
So as they glided across the dance floor, swaying to the sweet music, she tried once again, listening beneath the din, chatter and laughter, and she thought she heard it for a brief moment, the tiniest of clicks.
Cooper kissed her cheek.
"I hear it," he said.
She gazed at him, shocked at first, but knowing that he knew her heart, and filed away every memory she ever shared because he loved her, she smiled, kissing him.
"I do too."
NORTH STAR
Later that evening, Cooper danced with Abby while the band played Green Sleeves; he was no Fred Astaire, but he realized that he liked to dance, despite his lack of talent and grace. Abby looked lovely and he told her so.
"Thank you," she said, smiling up at him. "I'm happy you're married."
"I am too," he said, twirling her, "You now call Sam, Papa. I knew that would happen."
"How?"
"The same way you knew that I wasn't in London."
"You're back for good now, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"I've been star gazing. When you were gone, I picked out a star for you."
Cooper was touched.
"Thank you."
"I wanted it to guide you."
"Like a north star?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
"If I ever needed guidance it was then."
"I know."
They stopped dancing for a moment and looked at each other. He could hear Paul Dill laughing and talking with Mercedes and Sam saying what a beautiful night it was; and the mournful cello playing. She smiled at him.
"I thought this was a Christmas song."
"It's actually an English folk song about unrequited love."
"Does that mean a broken heart?"
"In a manner of speaking."
"I don't want one."
"Nobody does."
"My friend Melanie says that if you draw a heart around your name and the boy you date that it causes a curse that will break you up."
"Imaginative and superstitious."
"Is it true?"
"Only if you make it true."
They danced until the song ended, and then Abby led him off the dance floor, pulling him toward the other end of the courtyard. She took them to where the magnolia trees stood and pointed to the starry sky.
"Can you tell which one I picked for you?"
Cooper gazed up at the sky, the stars were twinkling and sparkling, millions of them dotted the black sky; they were celestial jewels that he foolishly ignored but tonight… they called out to him. Then he knew.
"You chose all of them for me."
"That's right."
He held her hand.
"Miss Abby…" he couldn't complete his thought, a tear slipped down his cheek.
"I sent you the stars and you came back."
"A different one each night until they were all chosen."
"You understand."
"Yes I do. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He hugged her and kissed the top of her head.
"You're remarkable."
"I am?"
"Yes… and one more thing."
"What?"
"Don't worry so much about that boy you have a crush on. There will be others. Know your worth."
It was her turn to be amazed and a rosy blush formed on her cheeks.
"But I never said anything about –"
"You didn't have to."
Abby laughed and hugged him.
"I'm so glad you're back."
"I am too, Miss Abby, I am too."
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU
Sam unzipped Mercedes' dress. It was around midnight and they were in their fancy hotel suite with the kids in the next room tucked into bed and fast asleep. This particular suite was good for families because it had two bedrooms, a dining room with a picture-postcard view of the Nashville skyline, and a small den with a couch, coffee table, and TV, and two bathrooms. Everything was golden and regal from the gold silk sheets and plush carpet to the gold French tapestry wallpaper with the intricate rose design. When the housekeeping crew finished cleaning your room, they would leave a sprig of lavender with a gold ribbon tied around it on each pillow of every bed, scenting the room with its relaxing fragrance.
It had been a long day, but a wonderful one, and now Sam wanted to make love to Mercedes. Something about all those magical lights and enchanting music, and her sexy, full-figured body poured into that silky peach dress, outlining her abundant curves, made him lustful.
Many times that night as they danced beneath the canopy of fairy lights, he wanted to slip away behind the lilac bushes, and take her beneath the night sky. Of course he couldn't do that, not at a wedding reception, he did have some self-control, but his wife had him harder than granite and she was unaware of it.
When he watched her dancing with Paul Dill and then Cooper, it was all he could do to keep his needs at bay. She was just so beautiful. The way she swayed and moved to the music, throwing her head back, and laughing in their arms, their hands resting on her wide hips, her generous bosom, bouncing just a little despite the heavy-duty support bra she wore underneath, but you had to be paying close attention to see that tiny jounce of her breasts and Sam was paying more than attention, he was memorizing her every move; if that wasn't his wife, people would think he was a stalker.
Well, she was his wife, and now he could love her through the night. After he removed her dress, stockings and underwear and she stood there nude before him, the warm, buttery lamplight, shining on her sable skin, he pulled her toward him, pressing her against the hardness trapped inside his pants.
Mercedes loved this. When he held her naked body against his clothed one, teasing her. He hugged her, his hands running up and down her ample backside, squeezing and slapping it. Her big, heavy breasts pressed against his crisp white dress shirt, her nipples hardening in the cold air-conditioned air.
"Lie on the bed and spread your legs," he said.
She did as he asked, lying back, and opening her large, curvy legs, displaying her thick thighs and strong calves, revealing how wet she was, bright pink and glistening. He undressed and got between those, wonderful, sweet thighs, pushing them even further apart and burrowing his tongue inside, tasting her, and she whimpered, quietly crying out at how good it was.
He wanted her to come until her body was blissed out and lifeless, so he didn't let up as he licked and sucked, his tongue never ceasing for a moment. Her cries became louder and a dirty thought came to his mind, he would love to have this on video, watching her ride the endless wave of orgasms he was giving her; he could only imagine how she looked as his head was buried between her warm, jiggling thighs, her body shaking and her hands caressing her heaving breasts and tweaking her thick nipples and her moans growing louder and louder…
"Sam!" she shuddered and shook, he felt the vibrations of her thighs trembling around him as she flooded his tongue. That's what he wanted, those euphoric, uncontrollable cries. When he was finished, he pulled away, and lay on top of her, kissing her, as she calmed down.
"Wow," she said.
He held her for a while longer, waiting for the final ripples to pass through her body.
"Baby?" he said, kissing her damp forehead.
She nodded and opened her legs again, needing him as much as he needed her. He positioned himself between her legs again, and slowly entered her, and she was as tight as ever, squeezing him just right. He loved how her breasts and belly and thighs jiggled with each thrust of his hips, loved how she reached for him, pulling him close, kissing him and losing control beneath him, writhing about, grasping his back, winding her legs around his waist, wanting more and more from him, and he gave all that he had, filling her up, with deep, hard, stroking, and then he got an idea. He stopped moving for a moment.
"Legs on shoulders," he said.
"Ok," she said, breathing hard, as he kneeled between her thighs and helped her place her legs on his shoulders, and then he continued thrusting his hips, going deep inside of her, and hitting her G-spots while he rubbed her clitoris, increasing her pleasure.
"That's it," he said, as she was beginning to come undone, "Go on."
Tears sprang from her eyes and she yelled out, the orgasm running through her; and he was coming soon too, shaking and quivering with her; filling her with endless amounts of come. He felt weak and he lowered her legs from his shoulders and lay next to her, pulling her into his arms, feeling the carnal high running through his body splitting him apart. He kissed her, wrapping his arms around her; she breathed deep, calming down.
They fell asleep and an hour later they awoke, drank some water, and wanted each other again, and Mercedes slid onto his lap and rode him, grinding her broad hips, staring into his eyes as he fondled her bouncing breasts and slapped her jiggling butt cheeks; she tweaked his erect nipples, running her small hands over his muscular chest, and he came hard. When they took another breather, drinking bottled water and cuddling under the covers, Sam had a new position he wanted to try.
"Are you up for another round?"
Mercedes took a drink of water.
"What's gotten into you? You're ravenous. Not that I'm complaining."
"I don't know… well, can I tell you something?"
"What is it?"
"Please don't think I'm a pervert."
"Now, I'm intrigued."
"Ok, it's like this. When I saw you dancing with the other men in that fancy dress, and you're glowing, and your body is magnificent, and they're twirling you around the dance floor… it turned me on."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I know you weren't doing anything sexual with them, but seeing you in their arms, made me want you more."
"You're usually jealous. I'm surprised."
"This was different. Nobody was flirting. I don't know. And don't think I want to see you with anybody else; I just appreciated how beautiful and desirable you are. You put some kind of spell on me. I was hard all evening."
She kissed him.
"I love you."
"So you don't think I'm a pervert?"
"No."
"Good. I was worried."
She laughed, laying her head on his chest.
"I think it's sweet. So what position do you have in mind?"
"It's called the back bend."
"Sam, I'm not an acrobat."
"Don't worry. It's not complicated."
"If you say so."
"Trust me."
"Ok."
She finished drinking her bottled water and he took the empty bottle from her and tossed it into the shiny gold wastebasket with clawed feet that was next to the nightstand.
"Are you well hydrated?"
"Yes," she said rolling her eyes, smiling at him.
"Just checking. Don't want you to get dehydrated."
"Hmm," she said.
"Now, I need you to lie on the bed, put your legs over the edge and keep scooting forward until your butt is off the end of the bed."
Mercedes followed his instructions.
"What next?"
Sam kneeled on the floor in front of her and got between her legs, and eased himself inside her. Mercedes moaned.
"Good?" Sam asked.
She nodded.
"Ok, now push up on your tiptoes and arch your back," he said, grabbing her behind.
She struggled for a second but did as he asked. When she got into position, Sam began thrusting his hips, his hands firmly holding her butt cheeks in place, and Mercedes moaned again.
"You like that?"
"Oh God…"
Sam chuckled, as he continued thrusting.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Ah… you're… you're hitting right on my…."
"I know, baby, just enjoy it."
"Sam…"
"Keep pushing on your tiptoes, yeah, just like that, that's right."
She moaned and bit her lip, grabbing the sheets, pushing up on her tiptoes; he told her to do this to give her even more gratification and it was working; she was sinking further and further into bliss and so was he. He began moving faster, loving how hot and tight she was around him, and he felt himself getting closer, slamming into her, Mercedes arched her back and began crying out; he was hitting her most erogenous spots at this angle; leaving her breathless and limp; he kept going, not easing up, chasing his pinnacle as well as hers; then he couldn't hold back and he came so hard, it felt like he exploded, with Mercedes coming soon afterward, he kept stroking her through her orgasm, until she was so sensitive that she couldn't take anymore and she closed her eyes, shaking on the bed, and he pulled out and held her.
"Oh…" she said, whispering into his neck as he held her, "I can't..."
"Shhh, let it run through you."
After a while, she finally calmed down. He opened a bottle of water and gave it to her.
"Drink."
She drank some water and lay her head on his shoulder.
"Damn," she said.
Sam laughed, hugging and kissing her.
"That about sums it up."
"That was freakin' amazing."
"Yeah."
"You got moves Mr. Hummel."
"I can't take all the credit, Mrs. Hummel, you got moves too, and the sexiest body, not to mention all those wiggles, jiggles, and dirty little moans, hell, I could come just from hearing you come."
"I'm going to have to wear fancy dresses more often while dancing with platonic friends to chamber music."
He laughed and kissed her again.
"That's very specific and not a bad idea."
They drank more water and took a shower, and it was there that Mercedes sank to her knees, and took him in her mouth as the hot shower spray rained down on them, steam filling the bathroom and Sam gripping the stainless steel safety bar and gazing down at his gorgeous wife, sucking him whole between her full lips, her pretty, brown doe eyes looking up at him. When he came, filling her mouth, she drank him in, and then he could no longer stand and slid down to the floor, taking her in his arms.
"Schätzchen."
"Was I good?"
He ran his hand through her wet, kinky curls and kissed her.
"Better than good. Fantastic."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you. You did that out of nowhere."
"Not really. I know your tastes."
"How so?"
"You like it when I do that in the shower."
He thought for a moment and she was right.
"Yeah, I guess it's the steam. I don't know. Let me wash your hair."
He washed and conditioned her hair, and then he ended up pressing her against the marble shower wall and taking her from behind, pulling on her thick mane of hair, his fingers digging into her kinks and curls. She screamed as he thrust in and out of her, coming hard once again, her dainty brown hands sliding down the shower wall, trying to hold onto to something, anything to ground her from the floating she experienced with each orgasm, and Sam held onto her, trembling as well, keeping her with him, never letting go.
Afterwards, they washed up, and the water was just turning lukewarm, and then got out and dried off with huge, soft bath towels, that felt luxurious against their skin. Sam sat her on the closed toilet, combed out her wet hair, applied a coconut leave-in conditioner, and braided it into a single French braid. They rubbed the hotel lotion on to each other's bodies as their eyelids grew heavy. Sam, being the gentleman that he was, picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, where he put on her long, pink cotton nightgown, slipping it over her shoulders, and then he slid on his boxers and faded blue Avatar t-shirt. By the time they got back in bed it was almost 3:00 in the morning, but as they snuggled up together, smelling like the hotel's lavender French milled soap, creamy lemon lotion, and mint mouthwash, Sam felt nothing but contentment and love.
SURPRISE AND GOOD-BYE
"Ma!"
Mercedes felt little, sticky hands on her face. She kept her eyes closed.
"Wake up." It was Rosy, poking her finger in Mercedes ear.
"Wake up," Jake said squeezing her nose.
Mercedes pretended to be asleep, keeping her eyes closed as the twins poked and prodded her with their curious fingers; they smelled like maple syrup and bacon.
"Up, Ma, up," Rosy said, her fingers running across her mother's cheeks.
Then Mercedes opened her eyes:
"Boo!"
Jake and Rosy laughed and yelled as she hugged and kissed them. They were in their pajamas. Sam wasn't in bed.
"Where's Papa?"
They pointed to the dining room, and she got out of bed with the twins toddling ahead of her and found Abby and Sam eating a room-service breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs. Everything was spread out on the table. The gold drapes were open and bright sunshine poured in from the tall windows.
"You're up," Sam said, smiling at her, "Grab a chair, we ordered breakfast."
"What time is it?"
"Almost noon."
She sat down next to him, kissing his cheek.
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You were sleeping so peacefully. I hated to wake you. Rosy and Jake got to you before I could stop them."
"We got hash browns too," Abby said, lifting the silver lid that covered a platter of crispy hash browns.
Mercedes began making a plate.
"I'm starving."
"These pancakes are good, though not as good mine," Sam said, pouring syrup over his stack of golden cakes with a pool of melted butter in the center.
"Papa's are fluffier," Abby said, agreeing with him, but these aren't bad. The bacon is just right."
Mercedes took two pancakes from the platter in the center of the table, and dished some hash browns onto her plate. The twins wanted to sit on her lap, and they kept trying to climb up on her, pulling on her nightgown.
"Let your mother eat," Sam said to them, he turned to Mercedes, "I fed them already. They were really hungry. Rosy finished her pancake and half of Jake's. He was more partial to the hash browns."
Abby got up from the table, taking her plate with her, "Come on Jake and Rosy, you can sit with me in the den and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."
This cheered them and they quickly followed Abby into the den, big smiles on their faces, clapping their hands and chanting Mickey.
When they were gone, Sam leaned over, kissing Mercedes.
"Thank you for last night. It was amazing."
"No, thank you for last night."
They kissed again and began eating in a peaceful silence, well as peaceful as it could be with their three kids in the next room singing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme at the top of their lungs. But it was sweet and cozy, sitting in the sunny room, eating breakfast with Sam, and Mercedes enjoyed herself. A knock came on the door. Sam wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.
"I'll get it," he said.
"Could it be Kurt?" Mercedes asked as the knocking continued.
"Maybe. Be right back."
"Ok."
Mercedes heard Sam open the door, but couldn't hear what he or the other person was saying; they were practically whispering. Then she heard footsteps. As she turned around to see who it was, she was shocked to see Tina standing in the doorway, the light reflecting off of her blue-tinted John Lennon sun glasses, a white gauze scarf was tied around her neck, and her hair was in a ponytail.
"Tina, what are you doing here?" Mercedes asked, jumping up from the table and giving her friend a hug.
"I came to surprise you. It was Sam's idea."
She looked at Sam who stood there grinning at them.
"Sam?"
"The kids and I are heading back to Kentucky this afternoon. But you and Tina are staying in this room, it's already paid for, compliments of Cooper and LaTonya for another week."
"But I – "
"Think of it as a girls only vacation. We've been through so much these past few months, and I thought that it would be nice if you had some time with just you and your best friend."
Mercedes let got of Tina and hugged Sam.
"Sweetie, thank you so much, but I don't have enough clothes for a week."
"Give me a second, I'll be right back." He left the room and moments later handed her a white envelope, with a little red bow stuck in the middle of it.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
Mercedes opened the envelope and inside were three Visa gift cards with amounts of 500 dollars each.
"This is wonderful," she said hugging him, "But it's too much, we have to watch our pennies because – "
"No, Mercedes, you're worth every dime and then some. And business is great, and I love and appreciate you. I want you to have a good time this week. And Cooper and LaTonya will cover the meals at the hotel too."
Mercedes hugged and kissed her husband.
"I love you so much. Thank you."
"You're welcome and I love you too."
"I have one question."
"Ok."
"Who will help you with the kids? You and Finn have those two big projects going on. And Hiram and Sean are dealing with some work stuff."
"Aunt Josephine and Stacy are coming."
"That's great. I just hate that I'll miss seeing them."
"Don't worry. They're staying two weeks so you'll get to see them when you come back."
"Sam, you..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you so much for all of this," she said kissing him.
"I'm going to miss you, but I know you need this," he said.
"I know I need a massage, manicure, and pedicure," Tina said sitting down to the table, "Mind if I have some breakfast too?"
"Help yourself," Mercedes said, "There's plenty."
Tina got a clean plate from the stack at the end of the table and began filling it while Sam and Mercedes hugged and kissed each other near the window.
"I would tell you two to get a room, but you're already in one." She said, biting into a piece of bacon, "hmmm this is apple wood smoked, very good."
Mercedes glanced over at Tina, her arms around Sam's waist.
"Are we that bad?"
Tina shrugged, pouring syrup on her pancakes.
"You have to ask?"
Just then the kids came into the dining room from the den. Rosy and Jake were singing Old MacDonald with a strong emphasis on the E-I-E-I-O, and shortening words as it suited them, but stopped when they saw Tina, staring at her with wide eyes, while Abby immediately hugged her.
"Hi Aunt Tina."
"Hello, Abby, you're getting so tall," Tina said kissing her cheek.
"My baby is going to be taller than me," Mercedes said sitting down again with Sam beside her.
Rosy and Jake were less enthused by Tina's appearance, and watched her with caution, they took refuge beside Sam, and clung to his legs.
"Pa?" Rosy said.
"Yes?"
She pointed to Tina.
"It's ok, Rosy, that's your Aunt Tina."
Rosy wasn't convinced and only stared at her, despite Tina smiling at her.
"You've grown a lot, Rosy," She said.
Jake hid his face against Sam's leg and wouldn't look at her. Sam took pity on them and picked them up, letting them sit on his lap. Holding them he said:
"Hey, my babies are all shy now?"
"They're like that with strangers at first," Mercedes said to Tina, "Next thing you know you can't get rid of them."
"Oh, I understand," Tina said, "They're so cute."
"Thank you."
"How was the wedding?"
"Beautiful. I'm really happy for them," Mercedes said, "And you know LaTonya is pregnant."
"That's great," Tina said, "They're good people."
"The best," Mercedes said.
Abby decided to get Jake and Rosy dressed; Mercedes knew it was so her father could eat; and she loved the thoughtful gesture.
"Time to get dressed," she said to the twins, gently pulling them off of Sam's lap, and they eagerly grabbed her hands as they went into the next room.
"Mercedes, I have plans for us," Tina said, taking a bite of her pancakes.
"Such as?"
"Shopping, concerts, museums, spa treatments and best of all, lots and lots of booze."
Mercedes laughed and hugged her friend.
"Girl, I'm so happy you're here."
"Same here. It's been too long."
After everyone ate breakfast, Tina went downstairs to the lobby to get the hotel spa price list since the website was down, and Mercedes helped Sam and the kids get their stuff packed, and get ready for the long drive home. Soon their hotel suite was a flurry of open suitcases, clothes and toiletries thrown about, with Rosy and Jake lying underneath the layers of clothes on the bed, giggling and hiding.
"Where are Rosy and Jake?" Sam asked playing along with the game as he dropped two folded t-shirts into his suitcase, "I don't know where my babies are."
Abby played too.
"I don't know Papa. Maybe they're in the courtyard. Let me look out the window," she said and peeked out for a moment, "Nope they're not there."
The twins giggled even more, and they moved about, a flash of Rosy's blonde hair and Jake's black hair could be seen underneath the colorful clothes.
"Or maybe they're in the bathtub," Mercedes said as she zipped up their bright red and blue Mickey Mouse suitcases, full of their books and toys, and walked into the bathroom, coming back out she said, "No, not there either. We'll just have to keep looking."
"Maybe they're on the moon," Sam said, sitting on the bed, "Yes, that's it, they probably took a rocket to the moon."
The twins howled with laughter when Sam said that, twisting about, the clothes shuffling on top of them.
"Did you hear that Abby?"
"Hear what?"
"I think I heard them."
"Really?"
"Yeah, listen."
Everyone grew quiet and then Sam pounced on them, pulling away the clothes, and the twins squealed, laughing as Sam scooped them up in his arms.
"Gotcha!"
Mercedes watched as Sam, Abby and the twins rolled around on the bed, laughing and playing, and though she was looking forward to her surprise vacation with Tina, she knew she would miss her family while she was away. They finally finished packing and the hard part was saying good-bye once they exited the hotel, loaded everything into the trunk, and the twins were strapped in their car seats. Abby knew their mother was staying in Nashville because Sam had told her of his plan, so it was easier for her to hug and kiss Mercedes good-bye, but as for Rosy and Jake, that was another story.
"Ma," Rosy said pointing to the empty front seat, "Get in."
"I'm staying here with Aunt Tina for a while, but I will call you everyday."
And then the tears came. Lots and lots of tears.
"No," Jake wailed, "Get in cah."
Abby got in the front seat while Mercedes leaned over and kissed and hugged the twins.
"You two be good for your father, ok? I love you. I'll be back before you know it."
But this was little consolation to them and they continued to cry as Sam and Mercedes said a final good-bye to each other in the parking lot. Mercedes wiped away her tears as she hugged Sam.
"Do you think they'll be ok?"
"They'll be fine. Once we get on the road, and start singing songs and playing I Spy, they won't be so upset," Sam said, stroking her back, "Now, I'm feeling sad, cause I won't be waking up to you next to me."
"Me too."
"But I want you to have a good time. Focus on reconnecting with Tina and pampering yourself, you deserve it."
"I love you so much," Mercedes said, giving him one more kiss, "Please drive safe and call me the second you get home."
"I will. I promise," he said, kissing her.
He hugged her tight, whispered that he loved her, got in the car and drove away with Rosy and Jake bawling in the back seat, and Abby waving good-bye.
FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE
When she got back to the hotel room, she saw that housekeeping had cleaned it, leaving behind their signature lavender sprigs, and Tina was sitting in the dining room sipping on a cup of coffee, texting on her phone. She looked up and smiled when she saw Mercedes.
"So how painful was the good-bye?"
Mercedes sat down next to her, wiping her tears with her shirtsleeve, and it didn't help that it was Sam's plaid shirt she was wearing. Tina put her arm around her.
"It's hard at first. But we are going to have a good time. Trust me."
Mercedes leaned against her.
"I know we will, but the twins were crying and Abby looked sad, and tried not to show it and… I don't know. This is my first time away from them for a long period of time."
"Mercedes, my dear friend and sister, here is a harsh reality."
"What's that?"
"Kids cry, get sad, and get over it."
Mercedes laughed.
"Point taken."
"You don't think Alexander and Charlotte weren't crying like I was going away for a lifetime instead of a week?"
"Did you cry too?"
"Hell, yeah, I cried, but then I thought of a Long Island Iced Tea, making it rain, and acting like I'm ten years younger than I am and I stopped crying real quick."
"Oh, Tina."
"Just telling the truth."
"Anyway, how are your kids?"
"Alexander's vision is coming back into this left eye. They don't know if it will be fully recovered, but the doctors are seeing progress; his crack head parents used to shake him and – " Tina paused, anger settling on her face, "I'm glad he's our son now. They relinquished all parental rights."
Mercedes squeezed her hand.
"And Charlotte?"
"Her last surgery was successful; the worst is behind us. She's getting into stuff, running around. I've got the best kids in the world."
"I know and they have the best parents."
Tina gave a sad smile.
"Thanks, you know what I hate?"
"What?"
"When people say how lucky Alexander and Charlotte are because they had disabilities and nobody wanted them and we adopted them, but I say I'm lucky to have them. They're just wonderful, you know?"
Mercedes hugged her.
"I know."
"And Mike?"
"He's good. He told me to tell you hello and not to let me corrupt you."
Mercedes chuckled, shaking her head.
"That sounds like Mike."
"Now, as much as I love talking about my family, this vacation is supposed to be about us. I love the idea of waking up in the morning and not seeing sippy cups filled with unsweetened apple juice, and dry Cheerios in Ziploc bags, or listening to the Moana soundtrack in the car or have Mike asking me where his clean boxers are."
"What would you like to wake up to?"
"Hot coffee, warm croissants with butter and strawberry jam, the New York Times, and any music from the 90s except Nickelback."
"I'm sure that can be arranged. What do you want to do now?"
"Well, I saw that the Belcourt is showing Carmen Jones. Want to go? It starts in an hour."
"I love that movie. Aunt Josephine used to watch it all the time when I was a kid."
"I love it too."
"Let me get freshened up and we can go."
"Ok."
When they left their hotel room and went out to the parking lot, Mercedes said:
"Now, I know I'm on vacation."
"How?"
"You're driving your baby."
Tina's baby was a 1985 cardinal red Chevrolet Camaro Iroc-z. She loved that car. If anything ever happened to it, Mercedes knew that Tina would have to take off for bereavement and give it a proper burial.
"My baby is right, and you know I only take her out for special occasions, and I consider this special," Tina said as she unlocked the door.
The interior of the car was bright red, and the seats had red velour upholstery with a Camaro spectrum fabric design, that had the name Camaro written in gray letters running across it horizontally. Tina said that this was a Lear Siegler Conteur interior design that was available in Camaros for a few years in the mid-80s; Mercedes knew nothing about cars, but it sounded fascinating. A pair of shiny gold dice with diamond rhinestones, and a faded dark forest green pine tree car freshener hung from the mirror. Once they were buckled in, Tina started the car and turned on the cassette player, pressing play, and the first few notes of How Will I Know drifted through the car.
"I can't believe you could even find a cassette," Mercedes said.
"There are a lot of retro millennial geeks online. You can find anything."
Mercedes tapped the car freshener.
"Why do you keep this? The scent is gone."
"Ambience."
"Whatever, girl," Mercedes said, laughing as she put on her sunglasses. She felt carefree as they drove to the movies, wit the windows down and the afternoon breeze blowing in their hair, as they bopped their heads to the music, singing along, and everything was good like when you get off work early and get a pedicure kind of good.
The Belcourt Theatre showed art-house and vintage films and was located in the Hillsboro Village district; it was a non-profit film center and had been around since 1925. It was newly renovated and had a beautiful spacious lobby that smelled like fresh popcorn and beer and was surrounded by large windows that allowed for lots of natural light, adding to a cheerful, bright atmosphere. Brilliant sunlight shined on the waxed gray floors. The Belcourt's owners also restored the original designs of the theaters as they looked in 1925: with deep red acoustic curtains covering the walls, red velvet seats; red, gold, and black carpet with circular scroll designs and red track lighting, running down the floor of the aisles; and an ornate gold frame surrounded the big movie screen. Mercedes thought about Sam and how much he would've loved this theater because he treasured historic buildings and their restoration.
They bought a tub of popcorn and two large cokes and settled into their seats that were right in the center of the theater. No one else was there so they could sing along to all of the songs without disturbing anyone. Mercedes really got into Dat's Love.
You go for me and I'm taboo
But if you're hard to get, I'll go for you
And if I do, then you are through
Oh, my baby, that's the end of you
…. So take your cue
Oh, Don't say I didn't tell you true
…. I told you truly, if I love you,
Dat's the end of you!
Then she got up from her seat and began to dance as Dorothy Dandridge sang on the screen, switching her hips as she seduced Harry Belafonte, looking like a sultry vixen in her tight red skirt and low cut black blouse, a red flower in her shiny black hair. At the end of the song, Tina clapped and Mercedes bowed and sat back down.
"You sounded awesome," Tina said, squeezing her arm.
"Thank you. That was fun."
They sang together through the rest of the movie, and when it was over they laughed and talked until the lights came on and the ushers came in to clean up before the next showing. As they left the theater, Tina suggested that they go shopping. So they hopped in her car and headed for the mall.
"I'm buying a sexy red dress," Mercedes said, touching up her lip-gloss, as she stared into her compact mirror.
"For Sam?"
"For me."
"Now you're talking."
"And we're going out tonight."
"Alright, Mrs. Hummel."
"And just so you know, I'm proud to be Sam's wife and mother of his children, but for now, I'm Mercedes."
"I heard that!" Tina said.
They went to the mall and browsed around all of the clothing and accessory stores. Mercedes saw some sexy lingerie from a store called Vixen that she pondered buying: a halter fishnet chemise with tiny rhinestone accents around the collar, that left all on her assets on display; and a black faux leather and Victorian lace corset with a thong. Even though the lingerie was a gift to herself, she knew Sam would really love the corset with it's lace up ties: he got immense erotic pleasure from undressing her, unzipping, unbuttoning, unhooking, untying... he said it was because he knew his treasure was beneath her clothes. Mercedes felt a jolt between her thighs when she thought about him as she looked at the corset, running her hands over the leather and lace.
"I know what you're thinking," Tina said.
"You do?"
"And I hope you brought your vibrator."
"Tina!"
"Just kidding. Buy the damn thing already."
"What about you?"
"The stuff here is nice but not my taste."
Mercedes bought both pieces of lingerie and then they went to Pink Queen and she found the red dress that she wanted: it was a long, sleeveless lace and silk spandex dress with a ruffle going down the front and stopping at the knees; and it had a slit up the front to showcase her legs. When she tried it on, it revealed all of her gorgeous curves and made her breasts and behind look magnificent, sexy and alluring, she stood in the dressing room and stared at herself in the mirror. She was smoking hot in that dress. Tina knocked on her door.
"So how is it?"
Mercedes opened the door.
"Well?"
"Damn."
"You like it?"
"You want to stay faithful to Sam?"
"What?"
"Because if you do, I suggest you not buy that dress. Every red-blooded man in America will be trying to get in your panties tonight."
"You're exaggerating and I'm buying the dress and yes I'll be faithful to Sam."
"Ok, Mercedes," Tina said, gazing at her, "You really are beautiful in red."
"Thank you."
Tina bought a little black York dress with sheer black lace shoulders and short skirt that showed off her pretty legs. Once the ladies made their purchases, it was getting late and they were hungry. They ate grilled chicken sandwiches in the food court, and people watched, until they were ready to go back to the hotel and get ready for their evening out.
RED VIXEN
Both Tina and Mercedes loved old traditional jazz, so they chose to go to a jazz club called Sebastian's about two blocks from the hotel. Since they wanted to drink, they decided to take an Uber. Mercedes straightened her hair: she blow-dried, flat-ironed and curled it. When she was finished, it was in cascading curls that hung down her back. Mercedes admired Tina's make-up and the tousled up-do she did with her long, dark hair. Tina watched her as She made up her face and sprayed some Ocean Dream perfume behind her ears and on her wrists. After they were done with their prepping and primping, both women looked like they were ready for anything, displaying a bold, confident beauty that was demonstrated in the way they walked in their high heels, gently swaying their hips, and how they smiled, coyly, eyes slightly downcast, but not really shy... just teasing, like their dresses that hugged their bodies, and one could imagine what was underneath, and it was enough for you to take pause, smell their perfume, look in their eyes, and picture the bare skin beneath the lace and silk, finding their secrets if they chose to reveal them.
When their Uber driver, who was named Steve, pulled up to the hotel in his white Toyota Camry and they got in, he turned around and looked at them:
"My, my ladies, you look fine as hell tonight."
He was a young guy. Probably in college. He had big blue eyes and a muscular physique. A cobra tattoo was on his arm.
"You're not bad yourself," Mercedes said, smiling at him.
He blushed.
"Why, uh, thank you."
"You're welcome," she said and flipped her hair over her shoulder, shifting a bit in her seat, and she saw him staring at her in the mirror.
"Are you a model?"
"No, she's a singer," Tina said.
"Really?"
"I sing a little."
He pulled away from the hotel, grinning like it was Christmas morning.
"Can you sing something now?"
"Like what?"
"The Star Spangled Banner."
"Patriotic choice."
"My brother is in the Marines."
"Oh, ok."
Mercedes began singing the Star Spangled Banner.
Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light…
When she was finished, the car was quiet. Steve stopped at a red light and turned around, looking into her eyes.
"That was incredible."
She knew he meant what he said, that it wasn't empty words or insincere flattery, her singing touched him, but she also knew that he found her attractive and while she loved Sam and her family and would never do anything to jeopardize that, she also liked that this young, handsome college guy, desired her. Maybe it was because she was just Mercedes, not tied to anything or anyone. She had no beginning or end, no last name, only one name that could mean anything. It was a warm summer night in Nashville and she and her friend were going to a jazz club dressed to the nines with a fine ass Uber driver taking them; his adoration was intoxicating. When he dropped them off in front of Sebastian's, he called out to Mercedes as she was entering the club:
"I normally don't do this and I'm probably crazy but… could I have your number?"
He looked so scared and nervous, stumbling over his words that Mercedes took pity on him:
"As flattering as that is, I'm going to have to pass. I'm married, she said, holding up her hand, to show her ring, But you really seem like a nice guy. Good luck to you."
He gave her that Christmas morning grin again.
"Thanks for letting me down easy… I'm sorry I didn't know –I just – your husband is a very lucky man."
"Thank you. Good night."
When he drove off, Tina said to her:
"I told you that dress was trouble."
Mercedes winked at her and smiled.
"Let the fun begin."
Tina looped her arm through Mercedes'
"I guess he liked hot women."
"I suppose he did. You know, you're not exactly innocent in this," Mercedes said.
Tina batted her fake eyelashes.
"I'm not?"
"You told him I was a singer."
"You do sing."
"But not professionally. I haven't done that in years."
"Yes, but Mr. Buff College Guy didn't know that. I guess I was having fun too."
"His name was Steve."
"I hate that you remember his name."
"I won't always remember it, but I'll remember the moment that I realized I still got it."
They both laughed and entered the club.
OOO
The club was an intimate venue with a small stage and round black wooden tables decorated with small lit white votive candles, sitting inside square glass candle holders; it had exposed brick walls and old saxophones and trumpets set upon blue painted shelves with autographed framed pictures of Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk. Everyone was dressed up. The wait staff wore white shirts, black pants and black bowties. After they ordered their drinks and appetizers, a few men came over and chatted with them, they were older, retirement age with receding hairlines and pot bellies, while they talked to them, Tina looked in her purse, took out a pack of cigarettes, and the shorter one, Marvin was his name, quickly lit it for her.
Mercedes didn't even know that Tina smoked. And she was equally surprised that she was allowed to in the club. But nobody asked her to put it out, so she puffed away, talking to the men and laughing at their jokes. Even after they showed them their rings and proclaimed they were married, the men didn't care. Then a few other younger men came over, and the older ones drifted away. The young bloods were in town for a convention, their names were Tucker and Carlton; they wore dark suits, had tanned skin and white teeth. They told Mercedes she looked like Venus in her dress, said her chocolate curves drove them crazy, and they asked Tina if she had seen Memoirs of a Geisha because she was as hot as that Asian actress who was in it. She blew smoke in their face and told them to fuck off with their racist bullshit. They apologized, but not before gazing at Mercedes, giving lingering looks, and leaving them alone once again. Tina finished her cigarette, grinding it out on her appetizer plate that had a few chicken bones left on it.
"I didn't know you smoked."
"Yeah. Ugly habit. Mike hates it. I've pretty much quit, but the urge sneaks up on me so…"
"That's why I've never seen you do it?"
"Yeah. It's funny how Mike hates cigarettes but loves weed. I had to break him of that after we got married."
"You learn something new everyday."
The band that was performing was covering the Miles Davis album Kind of Blue. They were doing it justice and Mercedes enjoyed the music. She drank a few Moscow Mules and Screwdrivers, sipped on a drink that Tina ordered called a Red Headed slut and felt all warm and cozy and free, suddenly everything was wonderful, the blue lights of the club, the strange men saying she was a goddess in red, who were they anyway? These male suitors, giving her all this praise, it didn't matter, she smiled, swayed her head to the music, watched Tina light cigarette and after cigarette, plumes of gray smoke floating from her mouth, drifting into the air with the music and laughter. She drank a shot of vodka and swore she could speak Russian. Suddenly she had to go to the bathroom and on her way there, she bumped into someone, almost falling in her heels, he grabbed her arm before her ample bottom hit the hardwood floor, and when she looked into the stranger's eyes, she blinked, thinking she was dreaming but she wasn't:
"Puck?"
"Mama?"
He hugged her. It felt strange and familiar. They were transported back to high school when he would find dark corners for them to make-out between classes; and then they were in college and he told her commitment was too hard over the phone during finals week as it rained outside her dorm room; she could smell the incense her roommate burned for good vibes, hear the rain beat against her window; and then he was there when Shane wasn't, they drank together at McGinty's, took walks in the park among the bare oak trees and cold winter sun, and he made her see her worth again… Puck. He smelled like whiskey and cologne. His cheek was rough with stubble; his arms were as strong as she remembered; and he held her so tight, feeling her.
"Mama," he said again, "Pretty Mama, it's been a long time since I've seen you."
Before Shane, before Sam, there was Puck. And now he had his arms around her. She pulled away from him to look at him in the dim light.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for an insurance convention. My job sent me. I'm in New York now."
"Do you work with some guys named Tucker and Carlton?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"They were hitting on me and my friend."
"Can't say I blame them," he said, looking at her from head to toe, "You look hella fine in that dress. Damn, who let you out of the house like that?"
"I let myself out."
"So your husband doesn't mind?"
"He isn't here."
"Oh," Puck said, raising his eyebrows, grinning, "I see."
"It's not like that, Puck."
"Whatever you say," he said, holding her hand, "You look absolutely gorgeous."
"Thank you."
"So why are you here?"
"A little vacation with my friend."
He guided her near the bar and they sat on the stools.
"So how's life treating you?"
"Fine. I've got three kids now."
"Three, huh?" he said, staring at her.
"Yes, I had twins about a year ago."
"You've got something on your face."
She frowned.
"Where?"
Puck pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and signaled for the bartender.
"Could I have a glass of water please?" he asked.
The bartender brought back a glass of water and set it before him. Puck dipped the handkerchief in the water and then dabbed the wet cloth on her cheek.
"I think its barbecue sauce. Did you have ribs?"
"Maybe."
Puck smiled and continued to wipe her cheek. Mercedes squirmed on the stool.
"Are you ok?"
"I have to go to the bathroom."
"Here let me help you."
"You can't come to the bathroom."
"No, I mean help you from the stool."
"Oh, thank you."
He helped her off of the stool and she teetered a bit; he kept his hand on her arm, leading her down the hall to the bathroom.
"You need support," he said, before she could protest, "I'll wait out here for you."
Mercedes nodded and went into the bathroom. Thankful that it was empty and clean. She went into the first stall and relieved herself and then she felts sick and got on her knees and threw up in the toilet; all of the booze and chicken wings and god knows what else came rushing out. When she was done, she flushed the toilet, went to the sink and washed her hands, splashing cold water on her face; she no longer cared about her impeccable make-up; suddenly she wanted to go home, a few tears ran down her cheeks, what the hell was wrong with her? She wiped her face with a few paper towels, smoothed down her hair; and rinsed her mouth out with water, to get the taste of vomit out. Finally, she was ready to go back out, but less drunk and more sober. Puck was by the door. He smiled when he saw her.
"You good?"
"I'm going home now. It was nice seeing you," she said squeezing his hand before walking away, with slow, steady steps, she felt dizzy.
"Wait."
She stopped and turned around.
"Yes?"
"Can we talk for a few minutes? I promise I won't take long."
Mercedes saw the pleading look in his eyes and wanted to say no, but a bigger part of her was curious so she said:
"Ok."
He took her by the arm and they walked back to the bar and sat down again.
"I love you," he said.
"Boy, you just dove right in."
"No sense in beating around the bush."
"I'm married with three kids and very happy."
"I know. I just wanted you to know that's all… have you ever wondered what maybe could've happened if we hadn't broke up?"
She shook her head.
"No, I don't bank my life on maybes. I concentrate on what is. I'm glad things happened the way they did. I've been loved by two incredible men since you, and I wouldn't trade that for the world."
"You mean you never thought – "
She placed her hand over his.
"No, I never thought of what if when it came to us. We had a good relationship and it ran its course. You broke my heart and it hurt and I healed and you were there when I needed you most in my life especially with what was happening with Shane. I love you, Puck, I used to think that I didn't but now that I see you I realize that I do, but not in the way that you think; it's love for a time past, love for a boy that climbed through my window and brought me wildflowers and sang me songs; love for your generosity when times were tough. But make no mistake, I don't love you like a possibility or a what if, and I know we can't be friends, but I love what we had and who you were to me. That's all I can offer. The man I love is at home in Kentucky with our children, and he's probably loading the dishwasher and wondering how to fix Abby's hair in the morning, or he could be singing the twins a lullaby, and oh, do I love him. It's so deep, so very deep and that's who my heart belongs to, and that's not going to change. I couldn't ask for a better man."
Puck sighed, leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Your husband is the luckiest son of bitch in the world," he said smiling at her sadly, "Every woman I've been with has never compared to you. I fucked up in college. I regret that."
"We aren't in college anymore. Stop comparing me with other women. Start loving people for who they are not for who you want them to me."
"When did this conversation turn into a goddamned Lifetime movie?"
Mercedes laughed, slowly easing herself off of the stool, with Puck's hand guiding her.
"When you said you loved me."
"Ah, right there," he said, holding his chest, "You're killing me Mama."
"You'll live."
"What other choice do I have?"
She hugged him.
"It was great seeing you. Take care of yourself."
"I will and you do the same."
"Good-bye, Puck."
"Good-bye, Mercedes."
When he said her name, there was a finality to it, he didn't call her Mama or Mercy, or something cute like he used to. He called her Mercedes, relinquishing all imaginary claim he had to what if and maybe. Mercedes watched him sitting at the bar, drinking Jack Daniels, staring at his phone. She blew him a kiss and went back to join Tina at their table.
"Where have you been?" Tina asked, finishing her White Russian, she was smiling and her cheeks were flushed red. Totally drunk.
"Come on, you've corrupted me enough, time to go home. I'll get us an Uber."
Tina laughed, rising from the table and clutching Mercedes' arm.
"You know what the best thing about tonight is?" Tina said, her words running together.
"What's that?"
"You."
Mercedes hugged her drunken best friend, feeling some kind of way, sad, happy, nostalgic, loving, just all these emotions ran through her.
"Thank you," she said.
She requested an Uber and it came about 5 minutes later. Their driver was a middle-aged black woman named Candy with finger waves and acrylic nails. She gave them the once over and said:
"You two look a sight."
Mercedes was too tired to be offended.
"Nice night, isn't it?"
Candy shrugged.
"If you say so."
She turned on the radio and an old R&B song came on. It was Betcha By Golly Wow. She thought of Sam dancing with her late at night, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world to him. Tina fell asleep on her arm. Mercedes got out her phone and texted her husband:
"I'm the luckiest woman in the world. I love you."
She hit send.
She looked out the window at the forlorn streets; humming the soul tune, feeling Tina breathing against her, smelling liquor and perfume and cigarette smoke, reflecting on how her life turned out.
She wouldn't change a thing.
END NOTES
Thank you for reading and reviewing my story!