Fireworks
It's the 5th November, we all know what that means, there's going to be a bonfire, some roast chestnuts, toffee apples and of course fireworks. It was celebration time at McKinley High and Sam had constructed a massive firework display, like everyone else he was in high spirits. Throughout the year the Team had won the championships, the sixth set of New Directions had blasted it at Nationals bringing home the winning trophy and he'd been promoted to Head of Department.
Outside of Lima, there was even more going on, Kurt & Blaine's new musical 'Skirts' had hit an all time high, it was basically a play about the life of a cheerleader, it was full of facts around their life at school but dealt with some hard topics too and there was a discussion session for those that paid to join some of the actors at the end of the night, which went really well.
Brittany & Santana where on social media hotline at the moment, trending because of them being on the brink of some mathematical discovery that only other buffs would actually understand, but Sam got it and knew it was a big deal. Santana was her assistant, at first she'd thought it was all talk for old rope, but after Britt's first breakthrough she took things serious, went on a course and after three years she was understanding, thinking, helping and now she was just as much into numbers as Britt.
Tina & Artie were no strangers to the movie world, when they weren't off doing some big production they were on social media talking about their next big project. They were all for getting people involved, Artie had set up a project for young film buffs who wanted to break into the business or even just see how things worked on the inside. Tina was a well sort after actress, who had fun producing so when she wasn't working on a project she was in their studio producing, none of them ready to slow down or even stop right now.
Rachel & Jessie had the argument quite early on in their relationship and agree they both loved the limelight, so they duetted on one of his shows, it too off and they stuck at it. After 4 years of hard work and determination, they'd been offered the chance to do a mini tour, they brought their A game and eventually got their own tour. It had taken a very exhausting 18 months but they'd managed to complete a very successful world tour and still be talking to each other.
There was lots to celebrate, everyone seemed to be getting a step closer to their ultimate dreams. For the past 6 years they'd set this time aside for remembrance of their beloved friends Puck and Finn, gone but never to be forgotten. He knew the couples were coming they'd replied to his invite some three months ago, but he wasn't able to get anything from Mercy or Quinn, either they hadn't gotten his messages or they were just totally ignoring him. Whichever it was, he'd finally given up on trying with them two weeks ago, diving into the preparations for his big extravaganza.
There were still frictions, there always was when the group got together, the complexities of past relationships had never completely gone away, the visits always ended with someone being the butt of everyone's anger, not just someone, namely Sam, Rachel, Quinn, Jessie or even Mercy if she was absent.
Sam was, at 29 year old, still playing the field so to speak, still looking for Miss right and grabbing hold of some really false female canines in the process. The others would always be accusing him of not being able to commit because he'd never been made to at school, he simply ploughed his way through the club girls and then half the University faculty, all in the name of fun, and if his truth be known he'd been stung hard once and that was never going to happen to him again, he was scarred, or was that caught
Quinn had married some 40 year old non-virgin with 2 children ready to burst into their teenage years, she'd been in her element as she'd sat telling her friends, how Steve had more or less rolled his ex-wife out the back door, children hanging onto her skirt strings, while opening the front door for her to take over. She'd been so love sick about the guy she'd refused to hear all their negativity about what she was doing, she was so blinded she really didn't see anything wrong about what he'd done. The last time they'd met up she was told, no words minced, that should he fuck her around, she had nowhere to go, that she was not to come running to them, because she'd cussed them all out so badly
Mercy on the other hand had married fame, craved it to the point her friends could no longer recognise the girl they knew to be Mercedes Jones, she never even answered to that name anymore she was simply called Cedes. Her caring, kind, understanding level headed character had gone, in fact if her old time friends didn't know any better and someone was trying to explain this new Mercy to them, they'd swear the person was talking about Rachel Berry 2009.
Everything was set for the night, it was nearing lift off, Sam went to the shed to collect the lighter fuel and ignition, he'd managed a 30ft high bonfire with all the wood, old furniture and paper he'd collected with the support from students and teachers, his trademark Sue Sylvester lookalike as Guy Fawkes sat at the top of the organised heap, pride of place, waiting for her punishment. Then some 20ft away from the fire he'd set up a barrier to stop people getting into where he'd set up his magnificent display. The fencing had double purpose, it was keeping everyone away from the fireworks for sure, but it was also keeping them even further away from his professionally maintained football field, his pride and joy. The cheerleaders were out doing their meeting and greeting along with the band, stalls were set up all around the field selling various confectionary and hot beverages, a few rides scattered around for children and adults, he'd gone all out.
"Sam" Blaine and Kurt walked towards him smiling "I thought we'd missed the light up" Blaine added as they hugged "Good to see you, still looking..."
"Please, you still want to do me don't you?" he laughed
"Hey" Kurt looked at him teasingly "The only person he's ever dreaming of doing is me" he hugged Sam laughing
"You're never going to let me forget that are you?" Sam asking Kurt still laughing
"Not if I've got anything to do with it" Blaine laughed "So what time's light up?"
"I'll give it another 15 minutes, see if anymore of us turn up" Sam replied "I did say 6pm"
"Three's already a party" Kurt laughed "We're going to mingle, let you get on" he grabbed Blaine's hand pulling him away
"Congrats on the win by the way" Blaine called as he walked off
"Thanks" Sam laughed looking at the two of them still running around like school kids, bringing a smile to his face before he turned to tend to the job at hand. He walked back towards the shed to put the lighters back, he'd got enough time to get the plans out again and have a quick check of his measurements for the display, they needed to be perfect. He'd spent so much time ordering, testing, mapping out, if this didn't go well he was ready to break some rocks over some distributers heads because it wasn't going to be because of something he'd done.
"Sam" he heard as he went to put the plans back looking around to see Britt, Santana, Tina and Artie, standing behind him
"Guys" he smiled walking towards them "I was just saying to Baine and Kurt, last 15 minute call and then I was giving up on you guys" he hugged them as he spoke
"We said we were coming" Artie fist bumped him replying
"Yeah but you know me with my toys, impatient much?" he laughed
"Very" Tina giggled "Where is Blaine and Kurt?" she asked smiling
"If that guy wasn't gay I think I'd have something to be jealous about" Artie laughed
"Be jealous" she laughed following Sam's pointed finger, moving off to find them, the others stood watching as Artie followed after her
"I guess we're going to mingle" Britt smiled at him grabbing Santana's hand
"Good to see you Trou...I mean Sam" Santana smiled as they left, she'd mellowed out some with education, she'd always been a bright girl just got a bit lost in the Britt of it all for a while, once she'd realised Britt had something special, she hadn't wasted time getting her own.
He went about putting his lighter equipment back and grab the plans, he'd just brought himself some time. He grabbed his measure and went to see about his field and then maybe check on the firework display.
He came back from his prize field minutes later surprised at the growth in the crowd, there was a impressively large group of people, children wrapped up cosy in hats and gloves, the noise of the crowd growing as anticipation grew, he stood for a second looking around and taking it all in, the smell of hot dogs and candy floss, the unhealthy smell of grease as the burgers sizzled in several places, dogs barking for the unwelcomed confusion, smiling that he'd had a lot to do with this.
"Jess" he smiled as he bumped into his friend "You're just in time, I'm about to light up" Sam smiled watching as Jessie stopped Rachel, who was walking in front of him before coming back to him to say hi properly
"Sorry we had to pop in and see the parents" he hugged him rolling his eyes "Great to see you, you've been busy?" he looked around at everything going on
"Come help me bring this stuff over, the others are over there" he nodded "Rachel" he hugged her smiling
"Sam" she took the hug before stepping off after him "Did you manage to get in touch with Mercy in the end?" she asked
"No actually I didn't get hold of her or Quinn, I gave up a couple of weeks ago" he replied
"What do you want to know that for?" Jessie butted in
"Because she's a friend, and I would have liked to have seem her"
"Bullshit" Jessie laughed as they got to the shed, Sam opened it as if he wasn't hearing the conversation "The last time you guys were in a fucking room together world war three broke out, didn't she threaten to use you as a broom or something?"
"Yeah" Rachel smile "But we're still friends"
"Is that what you call that relationship?" Jessie huffed "I'm sort of happy she's not coming, fuck knows how I'd manage 6 weeks in Lima while you get your fucking legs mended" he held his hands out for Sam to put in them what he needed to
"Personally I think I'd rather see Rachel and Mercy in a room, than Mercy and Quinn, at least death would be slower" Sam put in as he pushed the shed door to and made for the bonfire
"You have a point" Jessie nodded his head in agreement "She's not coming is she?"
"She didn't respond either as I said" Sam told him walking in Silence through the crowd
"You guys are acting like I cant defend myself" Rachel walked in between them saying
"You can't" Jessie who was used to being blunt with her replied, Sam laughed, he wouldn't have been so kind
The fire finally let them light it at around 6.30pm and the crowd gave up a big cheer for that happening, marsh mellows, chestnuts, banana's, potatoes all roasting by groups of people surrounding the fire, music blasting out the speaker dotted around giving the whole place a fairground feel. Sam stood smiling it was all building up nicely to his grand finale
"Hi everyone" the group heard everyone spinning around at the unfamiliar British speaking voice
"Quinn" Brittany smiled stepping towards her for a hug "I'm glad you made it" she looked her up and down "And looking good too"
"It's really good to see you too, and thank you" she smiled back at Britt "And Artie, I missed you the most" she smiled down at him going in for a hug
"Quinn" Kurt said sharply his upper lip thin for the drama he knew was going to unfold this evening, now she'd made an appearance
"Kurt, Blaine... Rachel" she muttered skimming over them with her eyes as she looked over her school friends "Tina" her eyes widened as their eyes met "Great to see you" she hugged her "Santana" she half smiled giving her a lame hug
"Quinn" Santana just about got out, giving her back her lame hug
"Hi" she turned to Jessie mouthing "Sorry, I can't remember your name"
"Hi" Jessie laughed not offering it
"And Sam" she smiled walking towards him for a hug "I just can't believe of all of us you became the Lima loser"
"Lima loser?" Sam asked "Where the fuck do you see a loser?"
"Maybe loser was a bit strong, but that's what I meant" she smiled tapping his chest "I don't suppose any girl sees you as a catch right now, I don't even remember what the hype was back then" she looked him up and down as she spoke
"Don't even react" Blaine told him "If it's not all about her, it's about nothing"
"I know" Sam smiled at him "I don't even know what the fucking attraction was back then"
"I guess everyone's doing fine as they afforded to make the trip" Quinn announced that supposedly being her catch up as she walked away from them
"This is not what we need this evening to be" Kurt told everyone as they watched her walk away
"Imagine if Mercy turns up" Tina's eyes widened as she spoke
"That happens and we are gone, no discussion, keep your belongings close because I mean it" Kurt told Blaine as everyone rolled their eyes
"How the fuck did we all manage to be so close in school?" Sam asked
"A reason, season or lifetime and all that" Rachel replied smiling as he stood looking puzzled about her response
"And what did everyone make of her new accent?" Tina asked smiling as she nodded in the direction Quinn had left in
"I think your face covers it" Sam laughed
"Enough about her" Rachel announced, closing that conversation down with an awkward silence
"So what times the display?" Jessie asked breaking the silence, everyone had something in their head to reply to Rachel in regards to her self indulgent comment, even him
"I was thinking about 7pm every one needs to get back don't they?"
"Too right" Artie sighed remembering all the work he had to do
"I have surprise tributes" Sam's eyes widened as he let some of his surprise leak on purpose
"I'm glad we're still taking the time to at least get together and remember those guys, this wouldn't be happening if they were here" Santana reminded everyone
"I guess it wouldn't" Quinn appeared from nowhere adding to the conversation "I was watching you from over there" she pointed across the field, everyone looked at each other wondering who she was talking to "And for a minute I thought you were that guy from Star Trek, I can't remember his name, real dish, not" she smiled at Jessie "Then I came up close and I thought shit it's that Jessie guy Rachel married, you look old, but I'm not surprised" her eyes wondered over Rachel as she spoke
"What's wrong Quinn?" Artie asked, wanting to get the drama out of the way so they could stop wasting the little time they had
"He's standing there trying to look like some sort of lady killer, and he's not he's actually Berry's last chance at whatever she calls her life" she fired back
"Actually we're very happy thank you" Jessie grabbed Rachel's hand telling her
"You keep telling yourself that, I know her from days of old" she waved her finger at him saying
"Are you drunk?" Sam stood trying to work the situation out
"Please" she held her hand up at him telling him to stop "This is not the time for stupid questions Sam, I'd have thought you'd have learned how to have an adult conversation after all these years, every time we meet it's the same damn thing"
"From you" Sam hissed back at her
"I need the bathroom" she looked around the field telling them "Same place yeah?" she looked up at Sam for guidance like she hadn't just dissed him
"I'll come with you" Brittney smiled, leaving Santana to go walk with Quinn
"Maybe we should just be grateful she gets on with one of us" Santana's eyes like slits as she watched them walking away
Quinn & Brittany
"What is wrong with you?" Brittany grabbed Quinn's arm when they were a safe distance away from the others "You're going to blow us out the water with your damn attitude"
"You didn't call me back" Quinn sulked "And fuck it, I'm fed up of being the other woman"
"Quinn" Britt huffed "You got fucking married, you stopped this from being what it could have been"
"Don't even try to pretend you were ever going to leave Santana" she looked at her hissing
"I didn't say that"
"And that's the problem, you're never actually saying anything"
"You chose to marry your OAP, I didn't ask or even tell you to do that, you made this decision for us"
"So now this is my fault?" she stopped to look at Brittny shocked that the tables had been turned "I told you I loved you and you told me you loved Santana and then what?" she spat at her "You didn't expect me to react to that?"
"I did, but not by getting married to the first man you set eyes on directly after that conversation"
"History is history Britt, and as I said two days ago I want more"
"I..."
"If you're going to tell me you love Santana again.." she held her hand up at her
"Look" Brittany looked around aware that they were in the open "Come with me" she walked off towards Sam's shed grabbing Quinn's hand "In here" she pulled her into the shed and closed the door behind them "I can't leave Santana, I've always told you that"
"So what is this, what are we doing?"
"Quinn, it's fun, well it started out as fun now it's..."
"What a fucking nightmare?"
"Well yeah" Brittany stroked Quinn's hair off her face telling her "We agreed fun, when we could, and then suddenly you want to change everything" she lifted her head by the chin to look into Quinn's eyes "This has to be fun or it won't work for me"
"So what you're finishing this?"
"No I'm asking you to make it fun again" she pulled her face to her and kissed her lips lightly "I like our fun" she looked into her eyes telling her
"So do I" Quinn grabbed her face kissing her harder "But I love you and I don't know how to control that"
"We'll find a way" Brittany's eyes ready to take what Quinn so badly needed her to give, they got lost in reach other, hands wondering, lips touching and minds getting lost
"What was that?" Quinn pulled away from her asking, on hearing noise at the door "I heard the door shut"
"It would have been someone we don't know, if it was one of those guys we'd know about it" Brittany laughed
"We can't be together here" Quinn pulled away telling her "Promise me you'll come to see me soon?"
"You come to me, usual hotel and we'll get that hot afternoon" Britt smiled at her "And please, calm your shit down out there"
"I know the rules" she rolled her eyes telling Britt "Leave Santana alone" she giggled "Where's Aretha?"
"Nobody knows" Brittany replied "Come on" she grabbed her hand and left the shed, looking around for who could have possibly been in the shed, as they made their way back to the rest of the group
Back with the Group
"There you are" Tina smiled as they got close "Santana went off in a huff looking for you guys"
"We had a talk" Quinn smiled up at Brittany telling everyone "And I agreed to calm my shit down an octave" she laughed "All bets are off it you know who turns up" she warned talking about Mercedes Jones
Those two had become the Rachel verses Santana or even Mercedes of the group, they weren't even in any sort of professional competition with each other, Quinn was living off that rich man she'd married and Mercy was a high flying artist with her fingers in all sorts of pies, singing, acting, theatre, comedy everything as well as being a recluse. The group had sort of come to the conclusion that the fault lay with Sam as he was the only thing they'd ever had in common that they'd sort of fought over, Quinn had lost her fight for his love miserably, but then Mercedes had won him and thrown him away, along with everything else Lima had to offer.
Sam hadn't seemed to mind Mercy leaving, to the outside world he moved on like everyone else, within weeks he had another hottie on his arm, Quinn had come back about a year after everyone had finally left Lima, and faced that last rejection from him when he told her he'd got feelings for an ex. After that somehow her bitter turned to sour and then to almost a pure contempt for the man, a woman scorned and all that. Mercy hadn't really looked back and that was fine he wasn't sitting waiting, at first he'd follow her avidly, text, face time, all of that, but as life got busy for her it dwindled out and now there was maybe a smiley face or a heart every six months or so, but she never replied to any of his messages or calls, and finally two weeks ago he'd given up trying to keep the friendship alive.
"Don't even pretend to be Mrs tough girl on that, Mercy would kick your skinny ass into next year every year for the next ten years at least" Artie told her laughing
"Never a truer word said" she laughed
"Hi Mercedes" Tina smiled looking behind Quinn as she spoke, watching Quinn's face turn to serious as she slowly turned around to see nobody there
"How the fuck are you doing shit like that?" she held her chest breathing heavy for the relief of not seeing Mercy standing there
"Stop dissing my girl"
"Your girl who you haven't spoken to for what nearly a year now?" Quinn asked
"She's still my girl, that's what friendships are all about, distance and time don't matter, if someone's in your heart that's where they live, and she lives in mine" Tina told everyone
"I agree" Artie looked at his wife with pride
"Agree What?" Sam walked back into the crowd rubbing his hands asking
"I was just saying, Mercy's still my girl, even though we haven't hooked up forever, once someone's in your heart they're important to you no matter what"
"Interesting concept, I guess I see that" Sam smiled "Fireworks in less than 10 minutes guys I'm pumped" he side hugged Blaine as he spoke
Mercy wasn't a subject he held very many conversations about, then and still not now, Tina was right even though she was nowhere to be seen somehow he knew their hearts were connected, whatever was going on for her, no matter how she acted when they were around each other, he always cared. They'd got back together after everything, she'd been on her tour, he'd jumped in and out of the music business before settling into teaching and then one day it just wasn't enough for her. They'd broken up amicably, she had dreams she needed to pursue and he wanted that for her, the tour had given her a taste of what was out there and she was hungry for it. They agreed a clean break, no regrets, no pressure just friends if ever they really needed each other, and after a few months of feeling sorry for himself, he got on with his life knowing she'd be upset if he went back on their joint decision, never the less it was a teary departure.
"So" Blaine looked at the items in Sam's hand "Are we going to get this started?"
"Yeah, let me get things started" he walked away from them saying "I'll be back to get you guys so don't run off, I just need to get this one thing set up"
"I wonder what he's done this time?" Blaine asked excitedly
"He's got the best ideas" Tina grinned
"Wasted in this place" Quinn added looking at Santana coming towards them "Where were you?"
"Looking for you guys" she cut her eye at Quinn as she spoke
"Sorry I got into conversation with your girl" Quinn smiled at Brittny as she spoke
"I guess you did" Santana pushed past her and grabbed Britt's arm
"No need for violence" Quinn told her as she steadied herself from Santana's push
"Okay here we go, come this way" Sam came running back instructing everyone to follow him "Here" he pointed to some chairs for them to sit on, taking the reserved signs up as everyone around them watched obviously wondering what was so special about these people "Blaine" he called "Will you make sure no one comes near the barrier while I'm busy" he asked
"Sure" he saluted him watching as he walked off towards his display
"And Go" everyone heard him shout, smiling as the sixth set of New Directions started their rendition of 'Flames' by Sia & David Guetta
The young group of students putting their lives into every word, obviously aware of the original Directions sitting in front of them, nervous, happy and proud all at the same time as they sang and danced for Choir gold, Sam standing proud as his students gave their all. New Directions had moved away from the lead singer and last note screech it used to aim for under Mr S, there were many voice showcases, those that sang, danced, or even soloed best had their turn in this song. It was plain to see the reason these New Directions had earned their trophy, they really were very good, even Rachel was looking impressed and that in itself was a challenge.
Oh, oh, one foot in front of the other babe, one breath leads to another yeah, just keep moving, oh
Look within for the strength today, listen out for the voice to say, just keep moving, oh
Go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, but don't stop moving, go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, you can do this
So my love, keep on running, you got to get through today, yeah, there my love, keep on running, got to keep those tears at bay, oh
Oh, my love, don't stop burning, gonna send them up in flames, in flames
The guys performing were looking at each other smiling as the guests from the original New Directions got up and started dancing and singing along to their rendition of the song
Don't stop, tomorrow's another day, don't stop, tomorrow you'll feel no pain, just keep moving, oh
Don't stop the past will trip you up, you know, right now's got to be enough, just keep moving oh
Go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, but don't stop moving, go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, you can do this
So my love, keep on running, you got to get through today, yeah, there my love, keep on running, got to keep those tears at bay, oh
Oh, my love, don't stop burning, gonna send them up in flames, in flames, in flames, in flames
Everyone stopping to hear the bridge, which was perfectly pitched before they were dancing around again to the final chorus
Go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, but don't stop moving, go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, you can do this
So my love, keep on running, you got to get through today, yeah, then my love, keep on running, got to keep those tears at bay, oh
Oh, my love, don't stop burning, gonna send them up in flames, in flames
Everyone was up clapping when they finally came to a pause, and having conversations about what they'd just seen when the cheerleaders and football team came marching out, the originals laughing as they heard the start of their classic rendition of 'Thriller / Heads will Roll Mashup' by New Directions blasting out the speakers, the guys dressed in full team kit with painted red faces while the girls were dressed in their usual Cheerleader Uniforms, dancing around as all the New Directions sang.
The original Glee guys were dancing like everyone else, but of course their dance was filled with memories of Finn and Puck and how they worked together to make that project happen, Tina and Rachel smiling at being a part of the team that first quarter, Quinn, Santana and Brittany hugged as they remember Britt being sacrificed in the human cannon, Artie thinking about Finn getting thrown out of the team for him, everyone working for the good of the Glee club, and suddenly they all knew that was what Sam had hoped they'd take out of it, that they loved each other once.
Those school girl days, of telling tales, and biting nails, are gone, but in my mind, I know they will still live on and on
They heard the tune blast out, then there was a tremendous bang, everyone jumped as the fireworks and the music started at the same time, Woo's went up as the sky lit up with white and red sparkles lighting up simultaneously building a picture as it went, the guys stood looking round the circle taking a moment to remember how they'd come together in the first place "Will" Rachel gasped "Teacher of a lifetime" she smiled hugging into Jessie as the picture unfolded and there stood two guys in team jackets standing at the trophy cabinet in the choir room
"Puck and Finn" Blaine gasped, laughing as the detail of them bumping fists was revealed with an explosive yellow burst as everyone clapped
But how do you thank someone, who has taken you from crayons to perfume? Oh, it isn't easy but I'll try, if you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters, that would soar a thousand feet high, to sir, with love.
As quickly as it appeared it disappeared as the next sparkle lit up the sky with a fizz sending everyone's head up in the sky as they watched the green light burst into a thousand speckles. Then there was another slow build up as white sparks filled the unseen frame in the night sky "It's our wedding" Kurt held his chest telling Blaine "This is so sweet" he watched as the picture formed in front of their eyes and still gasped at the end result when all four of them were stood at the alter in fizzing white looking into each other eyes.
It had come to it's completion and Sam looked across for their response smiling when he saw those same looks of love being passed between the couples, his job was doing, with that collage
The time has come, for closing books, and long last looks, must end, and as I leave, I know that I am leaving my best friend
He's done a mirage of things at this point Mike was learning Finn to dance, Mercy was singing some duet with Puck, Quinn was doing a duet with Finn, Santana and Brittany were holding hands, Jessie and Rachel were singing together all with their names above them. This one had too many things going on, they were flashing fast but in the end there were lips replacing the faces, the names above them stayed and the lips kissed gaining an ahh from the crowd, ended with one giant bang before the darkness. He didn't look back at anyone on that one, it was a tribute to him and Mercy of course he'd put the others in because he didn't want to explain himself about it
A friend who taught me right from wrong, and weak from strong that's a lot to learn, what can I give you in return?
There was a burst of bright pink mixed with red multicoloured sparks flew everyone's faces reflecting the vivid colours as they simultaneously exploded, the smoke has started to thicken now but the display carried on as the blue lights pushed through to be the dominant colour and it was clear there was a wheelchair with a girl leaning on it "That's us" Tina laughed like a school girl telling Artie "We need to use that in a movie"
"We do?" Artie asked laughing as he clapped, he was impressed, the moment was just as short lived as the others, but it left a warm feeling
If you wanted the moon, I would try to make a start, but I would rather you let me give my heart, to sir, with love
There was a display of the choir taking their trophy, the winning goal being scored by the team and of a guitar before the closing explosion lit up words spelling out 'McKinley High 2025' as the song came to an end. 'To Sir With Love' by New Directions There was a barrage of explosions, rockets, cartwheels, sparklers and other things that went on for a while before the sky was totally thick with smoke and the display ended. Everyone stood clapping as the cheerleaders came out to do another session to close the night down, soon the bubbling excitement was drained from the atmosphere and the crowd started to make their way home. Sam was shattered so much work had gone into those fifteen minutes, preparing the choir, ensuring the team and cheerleaders were in the right place at the right time he was happy he'd got the weekend
"What did you think?" he asked as the guys came towards him
"Smashed it" Jessie told him excitedly "That was a lot of work" he grabbed Sam's hand acknowledging
"It was actually but if you guys liked it, it was worth it"
"It was a great tribute" Bert and Carol came up behind him telling him
"Yes it was" Puck's Mom echoed "Thanks Sam" she smiled as she hugged him
"Thanks" he smiled back at all three "How are you guys I don't see enough of you?"
"As good as can be expected" Carol told him, before Kurt hurried them off to do something
"We've got about half and hour left" Rachel announced "It really is a flying visit"
"We don't have that long" Brittany told the group
"Well we'd like to make an announcement before we go" Artie smiled up at Tina telling them
"Another film?" Quinn asked rolling her eyes
"No" Tina grinned "We're pregnant" she gasped holding her tummy
"That's not fucking news, it's a fucking relief, you guys have been together forever, I was beginning to wonder"
"Quinn" Brittany snapped at her "Apologise"
"Sorry, sometimes I have no filter"
"I thought that was Brittany?" Tina asked to no answer
"Sorry Tina, Artie, that's great news, congratulations" Quinn smiled hugging Tina
"Yeah congratulations" Jessie echoed as he and Rachel went in for hugs
"Well there was one blessing Aretha didn't turn up" Quinn said getting everyone's eyes rolling at her not learning from her last comment
"Obviously she's busy" Sam replied
"You're still in love with her aren't you?" Quinn snapped at him
"I guess if someone's in your heart, they live there forever, isn't that what Tina said earlier?" he replied
"It is and it's true" she smiled at Sam, more pleased at hearing him say that than he knew
"I need to be going, God now" Quinn looked at her phone telling everyone, shocked at the time "Look" she grabbed Jessie's shoulder "Next time" she side hugged him "If I stay any longer I'm going to miss my connection" she kissed everyone quickly before leaving
"Blows hot and cold that one" Blaine commented
"Mostly cold" Santana commented as Kurt returned without the parents
"Where's Mom and Dad?" Blaine asked as he walked towards them
"I took them to see Finn, they wanted time so I left them" he linked arms with his husband saying "They said bye and I promised we'd stay over next time"
"Ready?" Blaine asked, watching as Kurt nodded a yes "Sam absolutely brilliant show, worth every second of our journey and thanks for keeping things alive" he hugged him as he spoke
"Glad you guys enjoyed it" Sam laughed hugging Kurt as he spoke before watching them say bye to everyone else and leave
"We better go too" Jessie looked at Artie as he spoke
"I guess"
"Obviously Tina doesn't do all the lifting anymore" Jessie rolled his eyes telling Sam
"Sure" Sam looked at Tina smiling, he was so pleased for them "You take care of each other" he hugged Tina telling them "And you the Daddy this time" he laughed "No more bird deliveries?" he joked
"Oh God no" Artie laughed looking up at Brittany
"We might as well come with you guys" Brittany told Jessie as she walked towards Sam to get a goodbye hug, he gave her a hug whispering in her ear
"You need to make that decision, Quinn's never been faithful" he told her
She pulled away from him wanting to say something but Santana was too close "I always look after her" she smiled at him moving out the way
"Good to see you Trou.. Sam" Santana kissed his cheek and followed everyone away
Sam stood watching them disappear into the night, everyone was more or less gone now, there was just the clean up, most of which he was going to do in the bright of day tomorrow, he just needed to make sure the tools were locked up and there was nothing simmering ready to ignite again and he was gone. He loved the end of the day, those few seconds when he'd get to his refrigerator, grab a cold beer and slam into his couch, but once that first sip went down his throat everything came rushing back. The aim tonight was to work that hard that he didn't even have the strength to open the fridge door let alone grab the beer, since he'd made his mind up to forget about her this task had gotten harder, she lived in his head, he shook his head in an attempt to get her out, subconsciously humming his current song for her as he worked 'Tired of Loving You' by Corey Hommel
I've been waking all alone in bed, I'm trying to take a hold of motivation, days go by you on my mind, and all my friends will preach about me being patient. 3 am and I'm thinking, empty glass I've been drinking, trying to drown out your face from my mind.
Everyone just keeps on telling me if it is meant to be we'd be together, but I've been wondering exactly how we plan to fight against the stormy weather, Perfect ain't the word that I would use, but baby, damn we were close, cause I'm long over due for a change I can't help feeling this way, cause I am so sick of waiting there's not much I can do, oh I'm tired, oh I'm tired of loving you…
Baby take my hand and please don't let it go cause nights just keep on getting colder, and you can slip on something cosy and relax while I am rubbing on your shoulders, baby how can you forget the times when our love ran wild, cause I'm long over due for a change, I can't help feeling this way, cause I am so sick of waiting, there's not much I can do, oh I'm tired, oh I'm tired of loving you...
Cause I'm long over due for a change and I can not help feeling this way, cause I am so sick of waiting there's not much I can do oh I'm tired, oh I'm tired of loving you, oh I'm tired, oh I'm tired of loving you
He'd checked the fireworks, locked the shed and done a round of the bottom field just to make sure it was empty, locking the bottom gate before he finished his song and made his way towards his prize field to grab his car and make his way home, he was wondering how much sleep he was actually going to get, when he got a message on his phone. He'd expected a 'we got there' text from Blaine, he'd always send messages while they made the journey home, he smiled as he flicked the cover off the phone face, shocked to see Mercy's name flashing back at him, he panicked as he opened the message, this never happened 'That was beautiful' he read looking around and seeing nothing
'Where are you?'
'Do you have to ask?'
He threw his phone in his pocket and made his way over to their spot fast, the high seats on the lower side line, he stopped dead when she came into view, she was smiling but now he was scared, he didn't want to show her just how much he'd missed her but he needed to get close "You're here" was all he could find to say
"I missed you" she smiled walking towards him, he took the hug, he needed it, taking a deep breath of her as he held her close
"I missed you too" he let out before wondering if that was too much "It's alright to miss each other isn't it?"
"Sure" she giggled pulling him back "That does nowhere near cover five years" she held onto him saying
"So how much of the show did you see?" he finally forced himself to leave her alone asking
"I came in at Heads will roll" she smiled "I didn't want to see the others, I thought it would just all blow up like it usually does" she rolled her eyes "And I only ever come back to see you, so I thought I'd wait it out and get you all to myself" they walked back over to the seats as she talked
"I'm glad you did" he watched her sit down before sitting next to her rubbing his hands down his lap nervously
"So champion football team, nationals winner, promotion thats a triple whammy" she smiled at him "I'm so proud of you"
"How did you know about that?"
"I know everything about you Sam Evans"
"Tina" he laughed
"Well yes, but you just did that display" she pointed in the air as she spoke "It was all in there"
"Oh" he chuckled
"Impressive" she laughed "Very" she raised her eyebrows at him
"I know everything about you too" he smiled "Troy?"
"Flash in the pan" she rolled her eyes "Are we really going to do this?"
"Do what" he looked at her asking
"Emma the perfect prom date, Brooke the most beautiful girl in the world?" she looked into his eyes asking
"Flash in the pan" he grinned "Okay I'm not going there" he got up telling her "Can we go get a drink?" he held his hand out to help her up
"Sure" she grabbed his waiting hand smiling as he pulled her up
"Your styles still flawless I see" he looked her up and down as she stood in front of him
"So are your get into bed lines" she laughed "Thank you" her eyes found his as she spoke "And yes you are still absolutely" her laughed turned into a giggle, at his bashful look "So where's rocking in Lima right now?" she stepped off with him asking
"Anywhere we are" he smiled
"Peaked" she beamed they both giggled at the Kurt of it all, walking hand in hand through the stand and out through the main gates, which he locked before they got to his car and drove off
"So" he turned the stereo down it was playing that song he'd been humming before he'd seen her and he didn't want her to think things about him "What brought you back?"
"I told you, you did" she looked at him as she spoke his face straight as he watched the road ahead
"So you got all my messages and stuff?"
"Yeah I got them"
"So why didn't you answer me?
"Because it wouldn't have been a surprise then would it" she turned in the seat to face him, his head turning for a second to see what she was doing "I told you I missed you"
"I don't understand Mercy" his head looking straight ahead "I'm getting mixed signals here, you know how my brain works, be straight"
"I don't think I need you confused and driving at the same time" she flicked the music back up "We'll talk when we got to wherever it is you're taking us" she stretched her legs off the seat and flung her arms up in the air in a full stretch before settling back in to enjoy the ride "This seat feels like your arms" she snuggled into it, he bit his lip not wanting to say what was in his head, he really was confused "Who's this?" she asked pointing at the stereo
"Some new guy, Corey Hommel I think his name is" he looked at the Stereo, save looking into her eyes just then, she'd know what he was thinking
"How's the teaching going, is it still you?"
"I still love it if that's what you mean?"
"And Lima?"
"That's where teaching has put me, so I make do with my lot, and then sometimes I get perks like this" he looked at her for a second
"You'd get perks like this wherever you were in the world" she touched his hand that was resting on the stick
"Here we are" he pulled up outside a rather classy wine bar "Have you eaten?"
"Not since lunch" she looked up at him as he stood opening her door for her, his hand held out waiting, she smiled, this was one of the simple little things she loved about this man, he never failed, even when he was as mad as hell, to treat her like a lady
"It's really quiet and the food is second to none around here" he pushed the door open to reveal cosy booths, a leather bar front and pictures of famous American Artists plastered across the walls
"Sam" the Bartender smiled "Unusual but pleasant surprise for a Friday night"
"This is Mercy, she's an old school friend visiting from out of town, Mercy this is Lacey the owner" Sam replied "We're grabbing a seat and maybe something to eat" he told him moving Mercy towards a booth in front of them as he spoke
"Mercy" Lacey smiled at her his hazel eyes already taking too much in for Sam's liking
"Lacey" she looked back smiling at him and Sam marched her away "What was that about?" she asked as they sat down
"I haven't seen you for what five years, I'll be damned if I'm sharing a second of this with anyone else" he huffed, his face breaking into a smile at her look of ridiculous "Lets order" he picked the menu up as Lacey came over
"These are on the house" he smiled putting a whiskey and a glass of white wine on the table
"She'd prefer the whiskey" Sam told him
"She looks like a straight up wine lady to me" Lacey looked at him his face disagreeing
"Actually I do prefer whiskey, Sam's right, just like his" she pointed to his drink on the rocks "And thank you" she smiled grabbing the arm carrying the tray "And we'll take two stakes well done, will all the trimmings please"
"Friends?" Lacey asked looking at Sam
"Stakes" Sam smiled "You heard the lady?" he asked pushing his drink across for Mercy to have while he waited for the next one to come "So" his attention back on her now Lacey had gone to do as asked "Because you missed me, what does that mean?"
"I missed you"
"But the way you said it" he brushed his fingers through his hair "Look Mercy we agreed we'd let each other live their lives, no guilt trips, pressure just let go, that's what we promised, now you're coming back saying you missed me and everything is rushing back into my head" he sat forward on his seat "I mean what do you mean, woke up this morning and thought I miss him, left five years ago and thought I miss him, fell out of bed that last day together and now your thinking you miss that, what?
"What do you want me to say Sam?"
"What you're thinking, what you feel, anything"
"I'm hungry"
"Typical Mercy move" he smiled realising he'd brought the tension into the room, and she'd swept it right back out, she was good at doing that for him, he sat thinking maybe he'd never find anyone else that could do that without sex in his life. The drink came and Sam threw it down in one gulp asking for another before the glass hit the tray, and the same again for Mercy watching as she threw the rest of hers down too before setting the glass on the tray "Is this going to be one of those nights?" he giggled
"No, It's got a twist"
"Peaked" he giggled, his eyebrow lifting at the promising look on her face
There was lighter conversation once dinner arrived they sat catching up on what was going on with Tina and Artie, Mercy informing him she was going to be a Godmother, he disclosed what he knew about the affair he'd witnessed between Quinn and Brittany earlier, they sat speculating about that for a long while agreeing Brittany had never gotten over that time Santana slept with Quinn all those years ago. Rachel and Jessie and their accomplishments, Blaine and Kurt and their new film coming out which had been earmarked as one of the top 10 new releases those guys were going places.
"Where are you staying?" Sam asked as they put their desert spoons down
"Motel" she smiled "I didn't want to stay at Mom's tonight, I was hoping..." she looked away deciding not to finish the sentence
"Should we go back to mine?" he smiled, he knew what that was about and he was on it, they got up paid the bill and left "Is this a booty call?" he laughed as he opened the door for her to get into the car
"Not quite" she frowned getting in, her eyes holding his and her body telling him something completely different, they drove along in silence each smiling, Sam because he knew his luck was in, he hadn't been with anyone for well over 6 weeks and that was generally more than enough for her, Mercy because her twist was going to blow his mind, but she was feeling a bit nervous too "Still looks the same" she smiled as they pulled up outside his one bed house "I love this house, we had such good times" she looked at the familiar two small shrubs outside the front door
"It's changed a bit inside" he jumped out the car to let her out watching her walk towards the door "I changed the décor to earthy colours, I couldn't stand seeing you everywhere"
They walked straight into the living room a matching couch and easy chair on the front and left hand walls, a fireplace with a large screen TV above it on the right hand wall. The living room led nicely into the open plan dining room leading straight into the kitchen. Directly off the dinging room, on the right hand side just past where the TV was, the bedroom with its on-suite bathroom and a walk in wardrobe decorated in beige, brown and cream "I like" she turned to look at him standing at the bedroom door smiling "That's new" she looked up at the large TV screen in the bedroom
"It gets lonely sometimes" he smiled "The garden's still the same small and private" he laughed
"I remember how we liked private" she squeezed past him to get out the room
"I know there's something" he pulled her back to stand in front of him "Put me out my misery" his eyes focused on her mouth as he spoke
"Okay" she walked over to the couch watching as he joined her "We've done everything haven't we, I mean together and apart and well...?"
"Mercy" he grabbed her hand frustrated for not understanding what she was saying
"I'll get there I will" she brushed his hand off her and shuffled in the couch "I sing better" she smiled "Just listen" she smiled nervously, he sat up wondering what she was going to sing "I'd be lying if I said I never really cared how, I step out the bed, you notice my perfume and tell me I'm perfect, oh, you're so deserving, baby, you're worth it, I could tell I'm your focus, I'm all on your mind and I know it, even when I'm off, boy, you on it, sometimes you might talk but you show me, love the way you pay attention, you notice everything..." 'Everything' by Ella Mai & John Legend
She didn't get to finish before he grabbed her lips, he knew her songs, that one in particular, they'd done it together a long while ago. He remembered their conversation that day, they'd been in bed the whole day, it was like day three or something in the house alone, the furthest they'd gone in all that time was to the pool. He'd asked her to marry him and she'd asked for time to think about it, of course he was sulking and as she watched him moping about she'd hummed the tune, then some words came out and finally he sat down and they sung their feelings to the tune. It was a private song until about two years ago when she released it giving him his props in her interviews for his contribution, when he'd thanked her she sent him a single kiss.
"Are you giving me everything?" he asked as the broke for air
"Come with me" she smiled getting up, walking towards the patio doors opening them and stepping out into the garden
"Where are we going?" he watched as she opened the doors
"You did a lot for everyone tonight and except for that very quick glimpse of me in that kiss collage, I didn't see you" she turned to tell him still walking "I need to ask you something"
"Ask me?" his face worried, he stood thinking she'd said everything and yet nothing he was none the wiser about where this conversation was going
"Remember how we left things all those years ago?"
"Yeah, we agreed to be friends"
"Before that" she smiled "Before the song"
"Yeah" his heart jumped, he'd asked her to marry him "You said you'd think about it"
"Well" she picked something up off the garden chair "I want you to think about this" she held a switch in her hand looking up before she flicked it
"What..." he looked up as fireworks burst into life above his head, "This is amazing" he smiled as the brilliant lights and vivacious colours brightened the sky, each one draws a pattern, everyone unique and breath taking, "I can't believe you did this" he hugged her as they stood watching the show "What?" he gasped as the words began to form on the unseen frame "Sam Evans will you Marry..." he read out he didn't need to see more "Yes" he grabbed hold of her repeating his answer until their lips met
Until that very moment Mercy hadn't known how much she'd ached for his hands to touch her again, it had been a long time since she'd actually been touched but even longer since she'd been touched by hands that she needed. His hands kept pulling her into him, she felt like no matter how close they got she needed to be closer, she pushed herself against his body, their lips refusing to let go, while her hands got familiar again with his broad chest, smiling as the muscles flexed solid beneath his T-shirt, reminding her of old times, the excitement building as she remembered vividly what was to come. Her senses heightened as she felt the touch of his hand against her naked skin sending heat through her body in bursts, each touch reaching her core and leaving an ache
Sam smiled as his hand slipped under her jumper cupping her full breasts as he pulled them lose from under her bra, she let out a familiar sound "I love you Mercy" he whispered in her ear as he familiarised himself with his love, he knew this body, how to work it, how it felt, but for so long now it had been visited only in dreams, she was here and this reality was blowing his mind, his lips grabbed hers again. He wasn't a stranger to sex, that was for sure, but this wasn't just sex, this was what he'd been craving all those other times, his search had ended, she'd asked and he'd said yes.
His hands grabbed hold of her jumper and lifted it, their lip disconnecting as he pulled it over her head and off her body, his lips attacking he nipples as soon as they were visible, his hands making fast work of taking her bra off her body, their lips still attached as he unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor. Her skin was as he'd remembered soft and silky to the touch, deliciously curvy and even more receptive than he'd remembered. He sucked hard on her nipple, her body flitching before it relaxed "I do" she gasped, knowing he was waiting for her to love him back. His hands slid down her body removing her last piece of garment while her hands undone his belt, that achieved she lifted his hands to remove his top and quickly unbuttoned his trousers "I miss you like crazy" she told him as her lips hit his naked chest
The firework display dying down as darkness fell on the garden and they were left to themselves "Are you sure about this?" Sam let her lips go to ask
"I am, are you?"
"I said yes didn't I?"
"So lets do this" she smiled as he grabbed her hand and led her to their bedroom
They lay satisfied a few hours later, looking into each others eyes, their lips close to touching, smiling for the reconnection, the promise and the end of a very long journey to get back to each other "That was everything I ever remembered about us, and more" his lips pecked hers as he spoke
"Fireworks" she giggled
"Definitely fireworks" he smiled "I have a confession to make" he told her as he stroked her arm
"I know you never stopped loving me" she smiled
"How did you know that?"
"Because I never let you stop"
"I knew that too" he laughed "Do you have plans for the holidays?"
"Yes" her hand rested on his chest as she spoke "I have an Easter wedding to plan"
"Peaked" he replied making them both laugh
The End