Nice Things
His head was reeling, was this shit even real? was he hearing what she was saying? did she really just say that to him? "Hang on, could you say that again" he held his hand up stopping her in mid flow "I don't understand what your saying" he shook his head vigorously trying to bring himself back into the room
She rolled her eyes and he knew he hadn't heard wrong she was about to stab him with it all over again "Sam I think we should take some time out, just be apart for a while you know" she grabbed his hand saying
"How do we do that?" he stood up fanning her hand off him "Actually I mean, how the fuck do we do that?" he looked down at her asking
"We were friends before we were lovers, married even before we were this"
"This, what's this?"
"It's the problem we have Sam, you hate me for making you give up on your damn dreams you've settled and I know..."
"No, you don't know Mercy, you really don't fucking know" he waved his hands telling her to shut up "I gave up my dream because I chose my family, our family, I have no regrets, are you telling me Liam and Layla are mistakes?"
"No of course not, they're the best part of my life, I mean our life right now, but come on Sam we both know you want more, we dreamed more for you"
"I'm not denying the dream Mercy, wait" he looked around the room as if a light had just come on "Do you mean you want us to go back to the start and be friends all over again?"
"No Sam I mean I want us to have a break and stay friends for the children's sake"
"Mercy we've built a life together, we have a family, we spat in our parents eye when they told us we couldn't afford the nice things in life if we chose this by choosing it, we're happy as far as I know, you haven't cried about anything in a while, that's a good sign isn't it?"
"I haven't cried about anything in a while because I haven't felt anything in a while" she lied
"So what" he rolled his eyes and dragged his hands down his face, still in shock "The loves gone, is that what you're telling me?"
"That's not what I'm trying to say" she looked at him her eyes sad for the hurt she could see in his eyes right now
"But that's what you've got me thinking, can we not fix this?" he asked to silence in the room, his face enraged for what he thought her silent answer meant
"This has all come out wrong, I'm sorry"
"You make me feel like this and now you're sorry?" he cut his eye at her, she could see he was ready to blow, she really hadn't handled this well, the best play now was to keep quiet "The children are going nowhere, we're all staying in this house, I'll move to another room for now but nothing changes for us, you need time to figure your shit out, I get it" he walked out the room before she could respond, she wasn't going to respond, she'd hit his core she knew when to stop and she knew she'd gone way past that
Mercy POV
She was winded, she knew there'd been something on his mind for weeks, he wasn't Sam, he was spending much too much time in the tracks, coming home smelling of drink and conversation was strained sometimes. She knew he'd cut his life short for her and the children, it wasn't a plan any of them had but they both knew the consequences of unprotected sex, so when the test showed positive they didn't ask questions, they told their families, set the wedding date and at 21 they got married and 5 months later the twins were born. Now the twins were here they were the heart of their parents and grandparents lives, Sam had found a job at McKinley as a Football Coach and Mercy managed to get a record contract almost immediately after they were born, that opportunity had kicked off big time and she was living her dream, and his too, through her.
In between gigs she worked giving singing lessons at McKinley, and maybe working together might have seemed like a mistake to anyone else but they loved it, well she still loved it, she'd been in the back kitchen one afternoon putting away the birthday cake for one of the teachers when she over heard a conversation that rocked their perfect world. Sam had been moaning to Steve; the art teacher, about his life, it sounded like he was really unhappy with the choice he'd made. Mercy was broken, she cried quietly in that kitchen while she listened to Steve telling a story about Sam that she had no idea was going on for him. She knew Sam's dream was music, he'd worked so hard through school to get signed and he was just about to hit that jackpot when their little bundles of joy announcement came about, it couldn't have come at a more inopportune time, but there was no questions to ask the conversation had taken place long before the announcement they knew what they wanted.
She didn't know what to do at first, she sat for weeks watching him moping around the house when he didn't think she was looking, she was pissed because she'd booked a gig in Florida for a week and she wasn't happy leaving him without discussing his problems, but she didn't have time to cancel anything at such short notice. When she got back he seemed brighter, he'd do all his usual stuff, play with the children, mow the lawn, family days was full of fun and laughter, their sex life was alright for two busy parents with demanding four year olds, he still looked at her the same, but he'd lost that light she could always find behind his eyes, she was scared to see the man she loved disappearing she'd finally decided to do something about it, she needed to take drastic measures to save her man's sanity. He wouldn't understand it at first, she knew that, but once things started to look up for him he'd know she did all this for love, for him, she hoped anyway.
Now she was sat looking at the slammed door, because with all that had just happened for sure that wasn't Sam, she really didn't expect to win that argument, not like that anyway, and for everything that had just gone wrong whirling around in her head all she could hear was herself telling him "They should have a break" there was no way she could think about what that would look like with the man she loved, and how the hell is he moving our of their bedroom? suddenly she realised she hadn't thought this through "What happens next?" she asked knowing there was only her there to answer that question "This all went so damn wrong"
Sam POV
Sam had been worried about Mercy, she'd been too tired to make love four nights in a row that really wasn't them, he'd stood outside her classroom a few weeks before she went on her last gig listening to her talk to her students about their life choices, shocked to hear her sound depressed about the life she'd or should he say they'd chosen, he had no idea that she was living with regret and there he was thinking everything was fine for their little family, but then she had no idea what he was thinking either.
He hadn't been upset when she announced she was pregnant, it actually seemed like part of the natural progression for their intense relationship, it wasn't as if he'd dreamt anything different for where they were heading. At school he'd always encouraged her to go for the big time and she'd been up for it, when they'd decided that they were going to take chances with unprotected sex, they'd had many adult conversations and both concluded the same thing, they'd want to keep their baby and get married and that was exactly what they did. He sat admitting to himself that they really hadn't thought it out past actually having the baby but everything was good she'd got her singing, which is what she'd always wanted, and that made him happy, plus the family were close to support them, of course they had the you'll miss out on all the nice things in life talk from their parents, laughed, cried and sung about it and moved on, when the children came every bad word was forgotten, they were beautiful carbon copies of them mixed, blended and sassy with a tiny bit of dork making their parents laugh every day.
Life had gone on and they were happy he knew they were happy, they were together, but Mercy was right, life was passing them by and he knew she was losing her light for some reason, he struggled for weeks trying to find a way to ask if the problem was him, he needed to ask but he didn't want to hear her say he was.
He had to walk out the door because there'd never been a situation where both of them had needed peeling off the ceiling at the same time and if she carried on talking he knew he'd have taken her there, on top of that he was somewhere alien right now talking to her like that, and he knew that was no way to win an argument with Mercy, she'd end up crying and he'd be so sorry he'd afford her anything, no way was she getting this friend shit out of him.
"She's the love of my damn life" he looked back at the door he'd just slammed saying "I told her I'd make her happy" he climbed the stairs saying
He walked into their room and started removing his things, making his way to one of the guest rooms, he sat on the bed wanting to cry but his plan needed him to stay strong "Okay he looked around the room thinking "What the hell does being friends with your wife, who you love, actually look like?" He wasn't ready for the just friends thing but he was sure they needed to make a change, he needed a change, he needed to get a shot at what he'd always wanted to do, but was she willing to take one for the team to make sure he got at least a shot. Could he even ask for that after they'd already agreed what their life was going to look like, sure he was fed up of sitting back watching the life being sucked out of him, settling for something he enjoyed but didn't really want to be his end game, but they'd made a promise to each other.
The Next Day
They woke up in separate rooms Mercy cried while she stood in the shower for things going so wrong, Sam worried this was the beginning of the end, made breakfast for them, which was eaten in silence as they jumped in their cars and drove to work. Colleagues were asking questions about them arriving in separate cars that morning, and when they didn't come to lunch together Steve asked the question of Sam
"Sam, is something going on for Mercedes and you?" he shouted from the till, him actually saying what everyone else was thinking
"No we're fine, just giving each other some space, you know working together, living together, being together" he laughed
"You mean you guys are on a break?"
"No we're not, just giving each other space" Sam looked at him suspiciously
"So this space you're talking about" Steve sat down at Sam's table asking "Is it like free to date space?" he laughed
"Steve" he chuckled, his blood already starting to boil "That's not even a damn joke, you're talking about my wife"
"I thought it was a good..." he trailed off as Mercy walked into the canteen, her eyes found Sam and she went walking towards them
"Hi guys" she said sitting in the chair next to Sam "I guess all eyes are on us for some sort of brawl?" she laughed "We're giving space" she shouted across the room as everyone went back to what they were doing "Can I have a word?" she looked at Sam asking as Steve raised his hands off the table and got up leaving them alone
"Sure" he smiled
"Sorry about that, I just got a bit fed up of all the unasked questions, I hate not talking" she smiled
"I need to talk to you actually"
"Can we do that outside of here?" she looked around asking "And not at home" she warned
"Why are you scared we might just fall into bed again?" his smile widened
"You know me and I know you Evans" she smiled "At Justin's Bar?" she asked
"Justin's it is" he laughed, more at the confirmation that she was feeling the same as him
"Straight after school?"
"Yep" he got up saying "It's a date"
Justin's
Mercy was so nervous her leg wouldn't stop shaking as she sat in the bar waiting for him to turn up, she was already on her third drink "Hi" Sam came through the front door smiling at her, he found the bar ordered and collected two drinks before making his way towards her
"You didn't drive?" she asked as she watched him sit down
"No I need a drink" he held the first glass up as cheers before throwing it down his throat, and put the other full glass on the table
"It's alright to share a taxi then?"
"It's alright to share a bed Mercy, I'm your husband"
"Which is exactly why I wanted to meet here" she smiled "As I said I need to talk" she took a sip of her drink
"How many have you had?" he asked taking a sip of his second glass, noticing her shaking
"Three" she looked at him daring him to say something about that "I need to say something" she looked into his eyes saying "I want to try.." she looked down at her drink "I guess I need to say, it didn't come out well yesterday, I was trying to say" she looked up at him pausing to gage his mood "We made a decision back then didn't we, and even thinking this I just felt like I was going back on my word to you, I'm not about that"
"We're not about that Mercy, but I wouldn't want you to be anything else but happy"
"I'm not happy Sam" she grabbed his hand saying, he didn't pull away this time, he was nervous for her revelations "And I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life or anything but I think you should reach for those star you've always wanted, the children are old enough to know us but young enough for some movement right now, I don't think they'll be affected in any big way, I think this is our time for change"
"I was thinking the exact same thing" he smiled "I can't keep this up any more" his face embarrassed "I heard you telling your class about your missed opportunities and I sort of went down that road myself mouthed off and stuff about what I'd missed out on, I guess l was upset that you weren't happy" he took a sip of his drink saying "I thought you wanted out"
"I'll never want out Sam" she looked at their entwined hands"I was upset because I'd heard Steve telling the others you were fed up with our life and I sort of decided to do this break thing, to get you moving" she admitted "I want you to go for your dream Sam, I'm willing to take a back seat for a while, let you take the spotlight"
"You know the first thing I'm going to ask is about the children?"
"I was thinking, I'm at a place where I could take some time out maybe two years, I get to spend some quality time with our children and pine for my man while he's off getting all that female attention and shit, coming home to boring old me" she laughed
"What you'd totally give up singing?"
"No I guess I could work on an album or something as well as school maybe full time for a while"
"And you wouldn't mind?"
"I really wouldn't, I just need you to be happy" she smiled "One condition" she held her finger up saying "Don't use my name in anything, I don't want you to get anywhere on the back of me, you're brilliant and you need to show that in your own right"
"Okay it's a deal, two years and then wherever we are with this, is where we are" he smiled "I can't deny you though, so I'll always say I'm in a relationship and if or should I say when, I think the times right all gloves are off, everyone knows about my family"
1st to 6th Month
Sam had started out at the local recording company hiring time in the studio and cutting a couple of demo's, he'd taken it all as a sort of joke, mainly because everyone there knew Mercy and he really didn't want to start tongues wagging. He'd finally got four good songs down, Mercy thought they were good and he was fine with that, she had a good ear, and he left Lima to venture into California as suggested by his wife, that was where she'd started. Although originally he was country he'd learned quickly from Mercy's experience to be open to anything his aim was to break into the music industry and with only two years to do that he couldn't be precious about it to start with.
So he'd kissed his children goodbye, left his wife with enough to keep her thinking about him for a month and taken to the streets of California, his first few days was taken up with studio visits playing his sound and getting knocked back. On day fourteen he was on the phone to Mercy telling her how downhearted he was that no one saw what she saw in his music, when his phone pinged
"It's a message from Scott's" he told her "I'll call you back" he flicked the conversation off saying calling her back seconds later to say he'd got a call back
"I told you" she laughed down the phone "My man is flying"
"You made me fly babe"
"I'm so proud of you" he could hear the grin in her voice down the phone
So the next day Sam turned up at Scott's Studio, it was a small newly formed establishment looking to make it's name in the business but he didn't care he was up for making them that name and obviously they thought he had something
"We love your voice Sam" Vanessa one of the bosses said as they sat listening to his demo again "But we have a plug we think you might suit better" she looked at Matt her business partner smiling as she spoke
"Okay" he replied wearily "I guess I could try it" he sat looking through the glass at them
"Right" Matt went towards the booth, excitedly entering giving Sam the sheet music "Just grab the tune, we'll give you some time, so tomorrow" he smiled leaving Sam to himself, just now he was glad he hadn't stayed on the outskirts of Mercy's career, he was used to seeing sheet music and creating his own sound for things, he smiled at how impressed these two were going to be.
Two days later and Sam was giving them his version of 'Jameson' by Luke Christopher their chosen song for him impressed was not the word "Yes" Matt shouted for Sam's take on the song when he'd finished "I'm going to bring Max in on this I can hear him doing some background stuff, you'll like Max" he told Sam, they were perfecting for over two weeks, then there was all the talk about timing, getting permissions and labelling art, a photo shoot to promote him, four months later he was finally getting a release date
"Mercy" he almost sang down the phone when he finally got the time to speak to her "This is some mad shit, they want me to sing it live and there's talk about doing a video in a few weeks" he sad excitedly
"That's fast tracking in the music business babe" she giggled down the phone "But are you having a good time though?"
"I'm having a brilliant time" he laughed down the phone "Goes without say I'm missing my family, but I'm good"
"We miss you too babe, but I'm so proud"
"They're in bed yeah?"
"Yeah but I'll send you the funny thing they say tomorrow" she laughed
Six months after hitting California, a few visits home, and his song was hitting the airways, he was knee deep in the music video and major busy with what was next for him, they were moving fast, he fell into bed every night feeling like he was singing the damn song more than it was actually being played on the radio, he was doing that many gigs and everywhere he went everyone was either shouting for him to sing Jameson or singing it to him, making him laugh, it was mad. He'd just come off his umpteenth performance for some radio show when Vanessa called him over "Everything alright?" he asked thinking he'd maybe said something wrong
"Yeah it's fine" she smiled linking arms and marching him towards the exit door "I just needed to know if you were..." she stopped to look at him "You give off mixed signals" she smiled "Are you..."
"No" he laughed "I'm mm.. I'm not gay"
"So why don't you have a girlfriend?"
"I need to concentrate on my music just now I don't have time, I don't actually want to find time, I need the focus" he laughed
"Fair enough it's just that some were asking" she smiled letting him go as they got to the door "You're doing a good job Sam" she told him turning and walking off
He jumped in the waiting car and went back to his temporary digs, watched his daily video of the twins with the parents mixed in and ending with Mercy telling him to call whatever time he got in "Mercy" he smiled when he heard her sleepy voice "God I wish I was in our bed right now"
"You alright?" she asked awake and concerned now
"Yeah I'm fine apart from Vanessa thinking I'm gay, me missing my wife and the fact that our babies are so damn funny" he laughed
"When are you home babe?"
"Two weeks" he laughed "But I've got to go via Vegas as usual, that's where they still think I live, and I still want to keep the heat off"
"I'm counting the minutes"
"I'm ready to wear that out you know this" he laughed
"I'm guessing you'll be worn out before me" she laughed "How's the video going?"
"They got girls dancing all over me pool side, walking round a club, they decided I should do the rap bits in parts too, I pulled that out the bag, you know me" he laughed proudly
"I know that" she giggled
"I just wanna dance with anyone that I want to" he sung "You know that's you right?"
"Reminds me of..."
"I know, that's what makes it fun for me to sing" he laughed "Life isn't something we plan for, we agreed that right?, and we livin' ain't we?"
"We are" she giggled "Who said we couldn't have nice things again?"
"You're such a wise woman, that's another thing I love about you"
"You're a fearless man and I love that about you" she blew him a kiss saying "Now go to bed"
"Goodnight babe" he laughed
"Goodnight" she said before the phone went dead that fast he knew she was upset, but he also knew she wanted this for him so he was alright with her missing him a bit, it made him smile
A week later and Sam was sitting sweating, he'd agreed to appear on the Wendy Williams show, his first day show and she was renowned for asking those forbidden questions, was she going to tie him in knots and make him confess his marriage before he'd really got off the ground. He'd been on the phone to Mercy apologising for whatever he was going to say out of line "Mercy I'm so damn nervous" he whispered down the line
"I love you babe you'll be fine don't worry, I trust you"
"I'm gonna love you forever"
"Till you die babe, I know"
"No forever" he sighed "I asked Matt to ask her to omit any awkward questions but she's her own woman, if her audience wants to know she's going to ask it"
"They just called you" she told him sending panic through him
"Did they?" he looked up at Matt asking
"Sam Evans" he heard over his earpiece and it was time for him to walk out as his song played his entrance, the audience going crazy, he wanted to roll his eyes when he realised they were mainly woman but this was live TV so he smiled and sucked it up. Wendy went through the pleasantries, talked about his music video and the inspiration for it, showed a clip, of the most naked girl there was on the whole thing before making his face appear through her breasts with a broad smile and making some comment about the girl just having the time of her life.
"I guess" he said as the audience took what they wanted from the scene, clapping and whistling
"I guess one hundred percent of the guests would just shoot me after the show if I didn't go here with you" she smiled touching his knee as she spoke
"Go for it" he smiled back at her, he liked her she seemed genuine
"Of course it's a two parter" she laughed "Are you taken and if not why not?"
"I'm not gay" he laughed "I get that a lot" he looked back at her seriously saying "I'm actually in a relationship, it's a long distance thing right now, but we're good and we like privacy"
"Ohhhh" Wendy whined "Does that mean we don't get a name drop?"
"Definitely no name dropping" he laughed
"So guys you've been told" she turned to the audience and camera saying "You heard it here first Sam Evans is taken, but he's not about to give us the name of the lucky person" she looked at him saying "Is that lucky woman?"
"Definitely woman" he laughed as she introduced his song and he got up to sing it
6th to 12th Month
A week later he was back at home enjoying being the family man after a long month of getting his face out there and making music, he got off the plane and locked off his social networks, available only to his label and family for the next two weeks. It seemed like a long time when he'd got off the plane less than a week ago but it was running away from him and he was getting irritated at the prospect of leaving his family again
"So" Mercy wrapped her legs round him one afternoon after she'd just tried sex to relax, him but he was still on pins "What's next?"
"Like?" he sat on the rug hugging her legs asking
"Like an EP or album or something you've done one single so far and don't tell me you don't have the bug because I know Mr" she laughed
"I can't think past missing my family right now Mercy, maybe if you guys weren't here I'd be more enthusiastic, but you are and I feel like I'm missing out, I mean it's only been a month and Liam and Layla look like giants"
"Stop it" she laughed "They're five next week"
"Yeah and I wasn't here to plan their party" he sulked "I wanna be with you guys"
"They see smoke"
"Know there's fire" he laughed reaching round for her lips "Wearing that out" he pulled her over his head onto the floor in front of him "We could maybe run to carpet burns right now" he smiled, she didn't say anything just pulled his head down to meet hers
Five days later and they'd been like a whirlwind, as usual they got the family together and had a massive party for the twins, they knew the twins would only be interested in the first two or three hours of it, so then it went into a full blown adult party, with their colleagues, friends and neighbours coming round. The night, as always, wound down with the grandparents in the den with all the children watching the latest child flick, other adults dancing, singing and drinking until sleep came, the children having a massive sleep over party, with all their friends who's parents were too tired to take them home. A big breakfast the next morning rounded off the birthday party and everyone left for home kissing goodbye and of course commenting about that being the best party ever, Liam and Layla wondering around asking what all these people were doing in their home.
"Get Dressed" Mercy demanded when everyone had gone except their parents
"Why?" he looked at her asking "We always have a rest day after their birthday"
"Just get dressed" she pulled him up walking towards the bedroom
They ended up at the lake, sitting in their spot just watching life go by for a while before Mercy spoke "Remember the plans we made here, right here on this spot?" she asked as she pulled his hair back off his face bending to kiss his forehead
"Hmm" he smiled his eyes closed taking in her touch "Love, Family Marriage"
"Before even those" she smiled "I was going to be this Diva singing big memorable ballads, with number one hits coming out my ears" she laughed
"God yeah and I was going to be the worlds best model, but you said no" he smiled up at her "So I decided after about a week that I was going to sing too, whopping country songs with number one hits coming out my ears so we could constantly be in healthy competition with each other" he laughed
"And now here we are living that dream, with our destiny thrown in, we have to be two of the luckiest people in the entire world, don't you think?"
"I know I am" he looked up at her smiling
"Me too, thank you for this" she stared at him saying "For the life I've always wanted"
They lay there for some time just taking in the scene and remembering where they were coming from "It's good to keep grounded, I hear that" he told her when he realised what being there meant "I'll always remember the start of us"
"I won't let you forget it" she laughed
"I get why you're like you are when you come home again" he looked at her saying "That world, it's where you want to be but it's not real, you always have to be on your guard, looking for back stabbers, most of those people are your competition, how are we expected to make them friends, who can you trust?"
"You consider what you do to be your art, you do your best because you want people to hear your best, you take the hits with the flops and learn from every one and the only competition you acknowledge is yourself, always try to do better than you did the last time, and trust us"
"My wise woman" he pulled her down to kiss her
"So it's been a week and I still haven't heard what your next step is" she came out of the kiss saying
"I was thinking maybe another single, but I want to have something to do with it this time" he laughed
"What write something yourself?"
"Maybe in the future, but for now I think I need to let Vanessa and Matt take the lead, they want to market me to a wider audience they said so..."
"They see smoke" she rolled her eyes saying "Well, I see fire babe" making him laugh
"You and that fire" he jumped up pulling her with him "I guess that means home?"
Three days later and Sam was on his way back to California, shedding his country boy reality and straight back into fake world, the first thing he did was a photo shoot, this time he'd never seen girls so available, they were familiar from the get go "Did they not hear me say I was in a relationship?" he asked Matt during the break
"I think that's what did it" he replied laughing "It's another one of those tests I guess"
That first week back had been rough, he'd gone from having his wife on tap to nothing 'this must have been hard for her too' he sat thinking, he'd only ever seen this from his side, sitting at home waiting, but he had the children, work and family to keep him occupied, she just had her music and really was that enough. He sat reflecting on the week long photo shoot and hype they'd got him on, this next song had to be good he'd given off so much wind about something he hadn't even heard yet, he was seriously trusting Vanessa and Matt with his professional life
"Right" Matt said as he walked into the studio one morning "We have a tune and maybe some words but we need to hear your take on it" he handed him the music sheet saying "Nessa thinks you might want to change some stuff, personally I think it's good as it is"
"What's it called?" he asked looking at the top of the sheet to see a blank space
"We'll get to that once the lyrics are firmed up" Matt told him walking away
He spent the day getting the music fitted to the words before he decided that yes he might like to change some stuff around, this was the perfect opportunity for him to shine "Mercy" he got on the phone when he finally got to his digs that night "They gave me a song and asked me for changes and I think I might have some"
"Are you sure about this, it's a big step?"
"That's why I'm calling you obviously" he told her "Now there's a line here that says I see you, you see me" he laughed "I want to put in I see smoke, know there's fire, what do you think?"
"Sing it to me" she laughed, he sung her the relevant part of the song
"Well?" he asked a laugh in his voice
"You know that's our thing and it sounds fine to me, but run it by them as a suggestion, and don't brag when they decide it's a good move"
"I know" he rolled his eyes, they spoke about the children, school and them before closing the call
A month later Mercy was listening to Sam's second single 'Higher' by Luke Christopher which was disappearing off the shelves as fast as they were putting them on, of course there was a video to follow
"It's compromising Mercy" he sat telling her as he read the concept for the new video "I don't know if I can agree with all this"
"Stop being such a baby babe, you wanted this" she laughed down the phone "Remember what you said to me when I had to do my first one?"
"I do but that was different"
"Why because you trusted me?"
"You trust me don't you?"
"Of course I trust you, so what's different?" she asked to quiet as he thought about his answer
"You know that, what..."
"Ever your doing, you'd rather be doing it ….."
"With you right?"
"Right, now go be a man about this music business Sam, it's your dream, we know our boundaries"
"That's just so easy for you to say right now babe" he said a bit disappointed with her advice "I want our children to be able to watch my stuff without asking questions like, who's that laying all over you Dad or why is that woman dangling her bits at you" a shout in his voice "I want to feel comfortable hugging my wife as we sit watching my shit, how does that happen with these women shaking their fucking wets at me begging me to touch them"
"Then don't make it go that way" she snapped back "Look Sam we agreed you'd have these two years to do your best, you're making me feel like I'm holding you back. You're not about to sleep with those bitches it's a damn job, get your job done and get home" she slammed the phone down saying, instantly regretting her move, crying as she sat looking at the phone vibrate, she knew it was him about to explode at her for that and yeah she was going to take it "Sam" she sobbed "I'm sorry"
"You can have that one because I know exactly how you feel right now, I've been you remember"
"I'm sorry, I'll get over it honest" she wiped her eyes telling him "And thanks for telling me"
"I'm always going to tell you babe, no secrets that's the new deal yeah?"
"Yeah" she giggled "Hold up I got to film this, I'll send it you in a bit" she closed the call as she filmed their 5 year olds; Layla dressed in her Mom's boots and leather jacket and Liam in Sam's checked shirt and Stetson hat singing to some random nursery rhyme together on their karaoke machine 'Mini us' she captioned before sending the video
Sam called back laughing "I love you guys"
"Looks like they got the bug"
Two months later and the video was done, the song had earned itself some remix status and busted into the dance charts too, he was happy. Matt was rushing for him to get the next song out "Don't you think I'd do well getting an EP out just now?" he asked thinking about his time left
"Maybe in a year or so but we need to get your face out there, keep you singing live so they know you can actually sing" he laughed "I've got another song I thought you could sing with maybe a female" he told him walking away from a puzzled Sam
Of course he was back on the phone having his conversation with Mercy, trying to find out where these people were going with his branding, she talked him down and they made plans about the pending holidays
"I guess you'll be going off to your relationship for the holidays?" Vanessa asked as they sat listening to what they were suggesting was his next hit
"I will for maybe a month" he announced
"Can't give you a month not just now maybe a week and three days, then it's back to it"
"A week" he screeched "But that doesn't give me any time wit..."
"With who Sam?" Matt asked looking at Vanessa "You're so damn secretive, and I get wanting to keep non-celebrities out the lime light or even keeping relationships out the headlines but it's been almost a year and you still haven't let anything drop"
"I promised" he smiled
"We just bagged the Christmas list on the Jules Holland Christmas Eve show" Vanessa looked up from her ever busy phone telling them
"Christmas Eve?" Sam asked "I can't do Eve, is there any other time?"
"It's a big deal, I had to work my ass off to get you this, at least say thank you" she looked at him shocked
"Thank you" he rolled his eyes hearing Mercy's man up in his head, but still stressing for having to tell her he wouldn't be home till Christmas day having already missed Thanksgiving and her birthday, she'd told him she understood and maybe she did, but that didn't stop him feeling like shit, he'd vowed this was alright while he was climbing but once he was there, this would never happen again and now this. That night was a difficult conversation for them, of course she understood but she still cried, he got off the phone and cried himself, sitting wondering if five minutes of fame was really worth all this heartache, loneliness and sacrifice
It was Christmas Eve, his time had come to be on the Jules Holland show and he was nervous as was usual before any live show, he was relieved he was only speaking for about five minutes before he played his new single closing the show. An hour later he was at the airport waiting for his last possible direct flight home
12th to 18th Month
It was 4am when he finally touched his bedroom door, smiling for seeing his love in their bed wrapped around his pillow on his side of the bed. He grabbed a quick shower before getting into bed and wrapping himself around her, she quickly released the pillow and grabbed hold of his hand laying on her belly, he wasted no time kissing her neck, following the line of her spine down her back, smiling as she wiggled at his touch, he gently lifted her leg over his hip before he sunk into her "Sam" she said, in a way that made him know she was still half asleep, he lay still inside her waiting for her to settle back into sleep, before finding her button and stoking it softly until she started moving to his rhythm "Sam" she gasped again, he knew she was awake, she was ready to explode on his fingers so he stopped, moving his hips banging in and out of her with such force he made her moan with every move "God I missed you" she told him as she clung onto his face pressing it against hers
"I missed you too"
"I'm sort of feeling that" she closed her eyes and grabbed hold of his butt as he slammed into her bringing her to peak as she heard him whimper and felt him grab hold of her hips pulling them into him, shaking through his release.
"Happy Christmas" he kissed her shoulder saying
"Happy Christmas" she grabbed his face pressing it into her shoulder
"You know there's no more sleep for us tonight right?" he laughed "I feel this is our night"
"I know it is" she turned round to him saying with a smile on her face
That morning the children were past excited for having Dad back like an extra Christmas present, Mercy was tired but pleased they'd spent time together before the children descended she wasn't getting a word in, their parents turned up just as breakfast was coming out and the day started, they went to church as usual for the hour long service, back home to cooking, lunch, presents, singing, movie, puddings, drinks and then the children were put to bed before adult conversations started with more drinks and snoring
Boxing day was all about the children as they visited the Christmas fair, watched a pantomime they'd have usually watched before Christmas, and ended the evening on the roller rink. Mom and Dad carrying them most the time around it at first but once Liam took the challenge and rolled off into the sunset Layla wasn't having him make her look like the weak one and she was off too, Sam taking all the footage he could get to share when they got home
The following day the children were off to Grandparents Evans' to spend the day on the farm, while Mom and Dad got some quality time, they spent the day at the local museum, had lunch at Vivace, bed for the afternoon ending up at the Waiting Room for some music and relaxation, finally closing the curtains on the day at 3am for more bed time
Sam woke up the next day smiling at the fact that he'd been recognised at the club last night, his wife was laying satisfied beside him and he'd had an idea about what he wanted to happen next "Babe" he whispered in her ear stroking her arm as she started to stir "Babe" he whispered again nibbling her ear
"What?" she got out before she went running to the bathroom "Sam" she shouted, he sprung up out of bed to go see what the matter was "I need to do this" she told him as he walked into the bathroom looking at her holding a pregnancy test stick in her hand
They'd never used protection since catching with the twins, they'd always sort of believed in letting nature take it's course, it wasn't that they'd sat around every month waiting for things to happen, they never thought about it actually, like everything else they'd adjust to accommodate things when they happened "Great minds" he smiled stepping in and closing the door behind him "This is what I was waking you up to discuss" he sat in front of her saying
"Great minds" she smiled "I do hope it's one this time though"
"Why?"
"Because you're away for another year"
"Oh no, if this is the next plan for us I'm home on month 6 babe, no arguments"
"Sam" she moaned "I want you to see this thing through, please" she begged
"I'm there for the first scan, and the second, every craving you call me so I can get it delivered, pictures every day I want to watch him grow and you take everything out on me over the phone deal?"
"Deal" she smiled
"Times up" he looked over her shoulder at the waiting test "Shall we?"
"Yeah" she turned and grabbed the stick saying "Here tell me what you know it says" she smiled
"We're pregnant" he looked at her saying "It says we're pregnant"
"Look at it" she laughed
"I told you" he said showing her the stick "We're pregnant" he got out before she was crying in his arms "Hey" he stroked her hair saying looking at the stick "We're only 3 days in so no one's to know just yet" he picked her up and took her back to bed, they stayed there most of the morning. In the afternoon they picked up the children and went round to Grandparents Jones sitting in the garden for most of the day watching the chickens play with the children and passing sneaky smiles to each other at their unspoken news.
Soon the holiday was over and again Mercy was at the airport crying, Sam was hesitant to leave her upset because of the affects on the baby, she quickly picked up on that and made a joke out of things, sending him on his way, they were back to calls and face time
"I've got a couple of fucking groupies" he laughed down the phone as he spoke to Mercy the week before he was due home for the first scan
"Every successful artist has a couple of groupies" she laughed
"You think it's funny?" he asked "Then I got Matt encouraging me to dip my stick as he calls it"
"Then you got me telling you not to play with any other fire" she giggled
"Then you got me telling you till I die and beyond"
"Till you die?"
"And beyond" he raised his eyebrow at the challenge "I hear my horny pregnant wife coming on to me right now"
"So coming on" she giggled knowing he was so up for it right now
"Babe I got to go" he smiled down the phone "You know where you just took me"
"I'll see you in a week" she said still giggling "Bye"
"Bye" he said clicking the phone off, she was so horny it made him smile for a while, he loved his wife but pregnant Mercy had him jumping through hoops the last time and if he'd have been there he'd be gratefully jumping through them again. He'd been making calls to chicken shops, getting the Dad's involved in catering to her, sending love letters, gifts, messages anything to let her not miss him not being there so much, she was only 4 months gone but it was working.
He'd made his third single 'Till You Die' by Luke Christopher and Vanessa had jumped right in before it's release making his money work for him by starting the video for it, this one was a bit different for him he had Pixie this random girl singing in the background of his song, it sounded good but of course he knew how it could sound better
The children's birthdays were coming up and hers three weeks after and he really didn't want to miss out on that again this year, not with her being pregnant, she definitely wouldn't take that as well as she did last year "Max I guess I need to inform you guys, I have an important event coming up in my private life and I need to get some time off, a month actually, in about a weeks time, I know the video will be done by then and then four months after that I need another month"
"Have you run this by Vanessa?"
"Not yet, do I have to tell both of you, don't you guys talk?"
"We talk, she just books the events that's all"
"So could you talk to her ad tell her I need that time off, its non-negotiable"
"I know you're singing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show next week" he told him "But I know nothing after that"
"Ellen she worse than Wendy at getting secrets out" Sam laughed
"You have a secret?"
"Not for much longer, I need to make a call" he walked away from Matt saying, making his call to Mercy, informing her that he was going to tell all on the Ellen show, she didn't fight it, he guessed her jealous; after seeing the video, was talking more than her common sense on this one, he was actually happy about that
It was only two days before he was due to fly home to see his family he was excited about that, but he was also singing his new song in public for the first time, Ellen had to be his best friend after this, all the exclusives she was going to get tonight. He got off the phone hyped up and ready for anything his name came over the airways and he was trembling again
"Hi" he walked out waving at the crowd as he walked towards Ellen somewhat smaller than he'd imagined
"Sam Evans everyone, thank you for coming" she hugged him saying before they got settled in "Right Sam Evans" she smiled, her smile so bright it lit her face up
"Ellen" he said back
"Oh I love that say it again" she grinned
"Ellen" he smiled a bit embarrassed
"I'm just playing with you" she tapped his leg saying "Now Sam, fairly new to the music business, but taking it by storm, you've had three top ten chart hits, and I hear you've got a little something up your sleeve for us tonight"
"Indeed, I have a new song, never aired before, that I'm going to share with you guys tonight" he looked out at the audience for the end bit of his conversation, getting applause
"Which is great but you know I'm going to pry we need to know who Sam Evans really is" she smiled "Now I heard you actually stated on a show that you were in a relationship but since then everyone's been trying to find out who this lucky person is but no joy" she said as everyone clapped
"Have they been trying to find out?" he asked looking around the studio questioningly
"You know they have" she laughed "Well I said, why didn't you just ask him and I got no answer so I guess I'm just going to come out and ask, who are you in a relationship with?"
"Well" he looked around as the crowd clapped for Ellen's question "We've been together since school, she's like my rock, and I love her dearly, is that enough?" he asked as everyone aarrrhh'ed
"If you'd have been backstage I might have said yes but I feel like we need to get an exclusive up in here, so no we want more" Ellen replied as the crowd clapped louder
"Okay" he rolled his eyes smiling "We've been married for five years just over"
"You're married?" Ellen laughed over excited at the exclusive
"Yes, I'm married with twins a boy and a girl and our thirds on the way"
"Family man, and loyal too" Ellen noted as the crowd clapped his information "I can tell by your face there's more, spill" she said almost off her chair as she spoke
"Okay this is the very last bit" he smiled quietening down the crowd as he spoke "I need to explain this" he totally quietened them saying "We started our family straight out of school, that's what we wanted, all these years on I guess we felt I needed to know if I'd have actually got anywhere if our life had been any different, she's agreed to take a back seat to allow me to try and see if this singing thing was for me so..." he looked out at the crowd "My wife's name is Mercedes Jones as in the Mercedes Jones" he told an erupting crowd
"She's been on my show, she's never mentioned a family" Ellen gasped, just about audible for the noise the crowd were making
"I guess you didn't ask the right question" he laughed
"Mercedes Jones" Ellen looked into the camera saying "You heard it first on The Ellen Show" she smiled "And folks here's Sam Evans with his new song 'Waterfalls' hope you like it" by Luke Christopher
"To my wife" he smiled as the music started, he'd never felt so relaxed singing live before, he finished his gig did a few promotional interviews and he was off home for the month
They had some well earned family time, Mercy got all her frustration out, and Sam didn't mind taking any of it off her. They'd been for their first scan revealing twins, and at 5 months they knew they were having one of each again, they were happy everything was going well, their parents were arguing over middle names and seeing as Liam had taken Daniel and Layla had taken Marcia it was kind of unwritten that these two were going to get Devon and Rose so Sam and Mercy didn't actually understand the argument opting not to get involved.
Try as he might Sam couldn't get his month long break to go any slower and after settling back into family life he really didn't want to go back "You need to finish your contract" she told him as he sat on their bed willing the night not to end
"I need to get this contract on track, that's what I need to do, I made a commitment to you guys" he told her meaning his family
"And you agreed two years for this thing Evans, don't make me use my words on you" her face like stone "Sam" she grabbed him from behind in a hug "I don't want you having any regrets babe, and I promise the slightest twinge and I'm calling you back"
"We've got the date, I'll be back a week before that, and that's when this ends"
"Speak to Vanessa and Matt see what can happen" she snaked round him asking "Please babe, for me?"
"Okay" he finally smiled
"Remember that song we wrote back then?" she hugged him asking
"What that first one, nice things?" he looked at her asking
"Yeah that one, life's held us back all this time, got us thinking we had to make a choice, but we never had to, we just needed to rearrange and we were too young to know that, now I think we're just too scared to take that giant step"
"It's just a hard step to take"
"I've been thinking"
"Know there's fire" he laughed
"Oh there's always fire babe make no mistake" she giggled "We've worked together before, maybe that's the way forward for us as a duet, singing big country songs and sharing our love with the world, what do you think?"
"What, and you want to break out with nice things?"
"Well you really want to do country, I already do country and now everyone knows who we are maybe we've got our comfort zone"
I don't want a comfort zone I want a challenge, why can't we cross over when we want, do R&B, and Country depending on our mood?"
"I guess we could"
"But first what do you say we have those babies and get them to one at least" he laughed
"Sure but we can start writing stuff now yeah?"
"Yeah sure" he lay thinking "I do believe we've just planned our next step"
18th to 24th Month
The next day Sam was back in California promoting himself, Vanessa was on about him signing another contract now he'd almost completed the four songs he'd promised, he had other ideas, he had a family to get back to, babies needed to be welcomed and his wife needed the support. He called McKinley to find out about getting some work while he took this time out and Will was more than pleased to have him back
"Mercedes explained that it was a two year contract so after the summer you're jobs here" Will told a very grateful Sam
"Thanks Will, I'll see you after the holidays, do you need me to drop in any time before that?"
"No it's your old job, maybe you'll bring the cakes" he laughed
"I guess I w..."
"I know you'll get Mercedes to do that" he laughed "Bye Sam"
"Bye Will" he laughed knowing there was no way Mercy was going to do that for him, he needed a shop
"Sam" Matt walked into the office calling, his head shot round startled
"Matt"
"We got in on the carpool thing with James Corden" he laughed
"Seriously" he laughed
"Seriously, I thought it might be a good way for you to announce your break"
"Maybe" he smiled "When?"
"Thursday, and Vanessa said if you want to give us another song you can but she's not holding you to anything right now, there's only a month left, but when you decide to get back in, promise to give us first dibs"
"It's a deal" he knocked fists with him saying getting up to get some privacy to tell Mercy what was happening "Matt" he walked back into the office getting their attention "Can we put out 'Heartbreak Fiction' as my taking a pause song? he asked by Luke Christopher
"Sure" Matt smiled
"Thanks Sam" Vanessa went to hug him saying
"No video though" he waved as he left the office
Carpool
"Ladies and Gentleman please welcome Sam Evans" James announced into the camera as Sam got in the car, he was sure there'd be cheers once the footage hit the studio
"So dish the dirt" James smiled at him "You gave Ellen a hell of a lot, I hope you kept some back for us?" he laughed
Somehow Sam didn't think he was Joking "I'll try" he fake laughed with him somewhere between the singing and the foolery he managed to get out that he was taking time out because their family was growing asking everyone to listen out for his new single, it was nearly two hours before he stepped out the car and three hour later he was on his way out of California.
Home
Life was pretty much as he expected when he got back, everyone fell back into him being the head of the house again, weekends were still family orientated, Mercy wanted everything and he made sure she got it, smiling at her behaviour, he loved his pregnant wife. Six weeks later the twins arrived, almost a carbon copy of their first delivery only Addison was the female double of her Dad and Jackson was the mirror of his Mom not identical like the first two.
"Who said we couldn't have nice things?" Sam asked as they sat looking at their 6 month old babies sitting in their rockers while their 6 year old's played close by "If this isn't a nice thing..." he pulled Mercy to him saying
"It's a beautiful thing" she smiled hugging him back "Remember our song?"
"I do" he laughed grabbing his guitar and playing the tune walking around the children's room as they started singing 'Nice Things' by Mickey Guyton (Adapted)
Mercy: They are priceless, don't they know? But they broke us even so, oh, shiny, golden diamond rings,
Our momma's always said, we can't have nice things
Sam & Mercy: Held me tightly as you dared, and when I cried out, you couldn't not care, you stole my heart and bent my wings,
Our momma's always said, we can't have nice things
Sam & Mercy: Oh, little boy with all your toys out in the yard, God gave us the moon, but we had to have the stars
Mercy: Took 'em from the sky and you left them in the dark till they 'Sam & Mercy: Rusted right through
Sam & Mercy: Precious memories gone like that, you can't ever buy them back
No we could not afford these dreams if momma'd always said, we can't have nice thing
Mercy: Ohh Ohh I can't keep you a lock and key, just to satisfy my needs
Sam & Mercy: Oh, don't you know why the caged bird sings? Like momma never said, we can have nice things
Our momma never said Mercy: We could have nice things ohh
"We're going to have to release that" she laughed
"On your label, You're the country singer"
"No babe, you're the country singer, I play at it"
"Don't do that, you're brilliant"
"Okay we're both country" she tiptoed up to kiss him saying "Nice things our first duet" she smiled when she finally let him go
"Yep, beautiful things" he smiled as they looked at their children some quietly playing around the room, while others were sleeping in their rockers
The End