Thank you for your continued interest and support. I do not own Glee or the characters and I honestly don't own Grayson's Vow.
Pleasant reminder: Last chapter.
MERCEDES
"That, right there, is the definition of pitiful," Melodie said, peeking out the window next to me.
I said nothing, only watched and listened as the rain drummed against the glass pane of Sherry Collins' apartment where I'd been staying for the past couple weeks.
What we were watching...was a man sitting on the stoop below... Not just any man, but the man who was currently my husband... who was soaked to the bone, his blonde hair plastered to his skull. And he was wearing dragon wings.
"Are you going to take pity on him, or what?" Melodie asked, turning to me, her arms crossed.
Knowing Sherry was at the drop-in center and I was alone, she had rushed over here after Sam had shown up at her apartment begging her to tell him where I was.
She'd caved, but I wasn't so sure I could...
He had spent twenty minutes pounding at the front door, calling for me. And when it had begun to rain, I was sure he'd leave, instead he'd sat down and taken up residence on the steps.
I shook my head...
"I can't, Mel. I'll take one look at him and crumble. And because of the things he said to me... the things he may have done... I can't crumble."
Sam knew my Achilles heel and had targeted it in the most cutting way possible.
Since you've been gone, I've come to the conclusion I like more of a variety of women than marriage vows dictate. I've sampled quite a few recently. You were okay, but since you, I've had better.
I felt a sharp, painful pinch in the vicinity of my heart as his words came back to me. And I moved away from the window so I wouldn't have to look at him out there.
"Plus, the things I did," I added. "I plotted and schemed and..."
"Yes, you came up with the mother of Very Bad Ideas, and you're just lucky you didn't tell me about it in advance, because I would've tied you up rather than let you go through with it. But also, Merce, you may very well have exposed two of the most corrupt political figures in recent history... Two who would've eventually ruined more lives. I'm proud of you."
I let out a long sigh...
"Kitty did all the hard work. But anyway, Sam won't necessarily see it the way you do."
"Well, along with the rest of America, he already knows about what happened. And I'm sure he's figured out it was your plan. And he's still sitting out there like a pathetic wet...bird or something."
"Dragon," I corrected bleakly. "And he may just want to strangle me. What did he say to you exactly when he came to your apartment?"
"Things you need to hear," she said gently.
Things that had obviously swayed her enough to give him the address where I was staying. I felt my resolve give way just a fraction...
In the next moment, we both froze when we heard scrabbling of some sort on the side of Sherry's duplex.
I sucked in a breath, my eyes widening...
And suddenly, the creaking groan of an old window sliding up filled the silence...
"Shit! Someone's breaking in," Melodie whispered. "My phone is downstairs."
We both ran out into the hallway and immediately let out small screams when we glanced into the open doorway of the room at the end of the hall and saw someone pulling themselves through the window.
It was a man. And he was caught on the frame by...wings.
I stopped mid-stride, letting out a loud whoosh of relieved air...
"Sam," I breathed, moving to stand in the large doorway.
"What the...?" Melodie asked loudly, from right behind me just as he hurled his body through the window, landing on the floor in a loud, wet thud.
He groaned, rubbing his arm and came up on his knees.
Then he caught sight of me standing motionless gawking at him and he lurched to his feet...
"Mercedes," he rasped, a puddle forming under his feet. And the flare of yearning in his green eyes made my stomach clench.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my eyes raking over him. His grayish blue T-shirt was plastered to his chest, showing each muscular dip and groove, and his jeans clung to his strong thighs.
I swallowed...
He looked so incredibly beautiful standing there, even drenched as he was, the wet wings hanging limply behind him.
He ran his hand through his hair, slicking it back away from his forehead. Then he caught something at his chest and I turned my head, realizing Melodie had tossed him a towel.
"I'll just...be downstairs," she said. I nodded, pressing my lips together and looking back to Sam, to find him running the towel over his head.
He slipped the wings off, rubbed the towel on his shirt and then ran it over his legs, finally bending to mop up the puddle beneath him.
My eyes followed each and every movement...
When he came up to his full height again, we stared at each other across the room for several tense moments. Finally, he said softly,
"As I was sitting out there in the rain, I thought to myself, what would Mercedes do right now? She would do something... She would come up with a plan. It wouldn't be like her just to sit here and wait for things to play out as they may. She would gather all her courage and she would try, even if it seemed that all hope was lost. And I thought about how much I wanted to be as brave as you."
I shifted on my feet, fighting not to crumble immediately...
"And so, you scaled the side of the building and broke into Sherry's house?"
He shrugged, giving me a cute lopsided smile.
"Breaking and entering was the best thing I could come up with at the time." He cleared his throat. "It's actually plan B, though. See, initially my plan wasn't so good. I was going to lecture you on the dangers of what you'd done and make some suggestions about your...impulsive ideas. So..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wet, folded up piece of paper... "I made a list of pros and cons."
I let out a small half laugh half snort and Sam shot me a hopeful glance as he carefully unfolded the paper, taking care not to rip it.
"I wrote about your spirit, your compassion and your kindness," he said. "But I also wrote about all the ways you make me crazy and bring me to the very edge of sanity." He turned the note upside down and right side up again... "But then I couldn't remember what were pros and what were cons, because they all come together to make you. And I wouldn't want to change a single thing."
"Oh," I breathed, hanging on by a thread to the no-crumble pledge. "Well," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "It... it worked, I suppose. Plan B, that is. And it wasn't the worst of plans as far as plans go." I shifted my eyes away from him, biting on my lip for a moment... "But what exactly is it you were trying to accomplish? Now that you're in front of me, what do you want, Sam?"
I cleared my throat, knowing the way my voice cracked on his name gave away my shaky emotions and the underlying hope I was trying so hard to deny.
"I want to tell you what I should've told you that day in my office if I'd been brave enough then. And if I'd been strong enough then. I want to tell you that I trust you and that I love you, and that I don't want to live my life without you. And I'm hoping you'll forgive me for pushing you away... for saying such cruel things to you... for lying... And I hope... I hope you can help me forgive myself. Because I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry."
Sam's voice was a raw ache and my heart leapt in my chest...
And as I stood there, I tried to sort through all he'd just said, my mind grasping onto three words in particular.
"You...love me?" I asked, hope almost rendering me breathless.
Unknowingly, I took a step towards him, but he held his hand up, halting me in my tracks.
I blinked at him. And then tears sprung to my eyes when understanding dawned... He wanted to come to me.
And he did so, halting just a few steps from where I stood.
A tremulous smile tilted up the corners of my lips...
"Yes," he said, "I love you so much I feel like an empty shell without you."
I bit my trembling lip...
"And those things you said about being with other..."
My voice trailed off, the brutal pain of that moment coming back to me and stealing the words.
"No," he rasped. "God, no. I said those things to hurt you like I thought you were hurting me." He closed his eyes, a look of shame passing over his handsome features... "I have been and always will be faithful to you...body, heart and soul. I made a vow, Mercedes and I intend to live by it."
I smiled on a small, gasping breath, attempting to hold back a sob, suddenly weak with relief.
"I've been faithful to you, too. That day in Napa, I was only with Chris because it was part of the plan, and he thought I still lived there. I had to find out what functions he'd be at. After that, I made excuses. I never went anywhere with him that night or any other."
Sam squeezed his eyes shut for a moment...
"I'm so sorry I ever doubted you."
I shook my head.
"It looked bad, I know. And I would've explained, but..."
"I was awful. Beyond awful..."
I put my fingers to his lips, sniffling as I gazed at his face.
"You were hurting."
He nodded, his expression pained and guilt-ridden.
"I thought for sure you'd serve me with divorce papers. You didn't take my father's deal?"
He shook his head...
"No, I didn't. I'd rather starve."
I looked down... He didn't know it, but there was some underlying truth to his words.
"Well, that's a convenient attitude, Sam, because we still might. I don't know how long it will take to get the hold taken off my Gram's money, or even if my father will still pursue that. He might.."
"Shhh, baby. Turns out, Jennine Evans was interested in investing in the family vineyard."
I tilted my head, looking at him with confusion.
"She did?"
I'd only met with her briefly. And she'd agreed to give me the money to fund my plan, but she had been terse and dismissive.
"Yeah, she did."
He smiled and there was a note of wonder in it.
"And," he continued. "I want you to know that I came to all the conclusions about my feelings for you, and all the ways I've acted like a complete jackass before I found out what you did for me... for us..." He paused. "...outrageous as it was," he didn't seem to be able to help adding.
I swallowed, my smile fading as I looked down.
"I schemed and plotted..." I began. Then I looked up into his eyes. "But I had to, Sam, because I didn't know if you'd truly take my father's deal or not. And I know if you did, he would've ruined your name and all the progress you'd made in fixing your reputation. And if you didn't, you'd be penniless. And it was all my fault. I had to fix it. I had to try."
Tears sprung to my eyes...
However, Sam stepped towards me, a tender smile appearing on his face.
"I know, little witch. And we have a lot to talk about on that subject. But first, I want you to know that I was wrong when I said you were anything at all like your father, or mine. You do plot, it's true," he smiled and ran a finger over my cheekbone. "But your ideas are filled with love and a joy for life, just like you. Nothing bad could come from you, Mercedes, because nothing bad is within you."
Relief and happiness flowed through my veins unheeded. I shook my head...
"I won't plot anymore," I insisted. "I mean... unless it's something very, very important." I shifted my eyes to the side. "Or, well, unless..."
My words halted and my eyes shot to Sam's face at the sound of his soft chuckle, his gaze filled with gentle amusement.
"Okay," he said quietly. "I love you, Mercedes. And I'll never stop saying it. I'm ready to brave the thorns. I'll even plunge myself on them for you."
"Sounds painful," I breathed.
He laughed...
"I'm hoping it was a metaphor. Alice," he said in explanation.
Ah. Yes, Alice. She'd been calling and checking on me every day, and although I hadn't confided my most recent Very Bad Idea until it was over and the tape had been sent to the news, she'd kept me going with her wise advice and words of comfort, and most of all, offering her grandmotherly love.
"The rose," I said. "I got that one, too."
His lips tipped up in a boyish smile as he brushed a lock of hair away from my face. Suddenly, his expression became sadly contemplative.
"I wish I had been truly ready to live by her words. Because we might've avoided these past few weeks."
Emotion overwhelmed me and a tear rolled down my cheek. But Sam used his thumb to swipe it away.
It was then that I caught a glint of silver and looked more closely at his hand as it fell away...
"You found the ring?"
"Yes," he said. "And if it's still mine to keep, I'll never take it off."
I nodded.
"Yes, it's yours," I whispered. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for keeping the secret about my father and your case from you. I never meant to hurt you. I love you, too. I never stopped. And I never will. My dragon."
Relief passed over his features before he asked hoarsely,
"Can I hold you now?"
I nodded my head vigorously, stepping into his embrace. And I felt him smiled against my forehead, rubbing his rough, masculine jaw on my skin.
"Come home with me, Mercedes," he whispered. "Come back home. Please. Let me prove that I can be the husband you deserve."
I nodded against his chest, breathing in the achingly delicious scent of fresh rain and my husband... My husband who loved me and wanted me to come back home with him.
The misery and grief and fear of the past weeks suddenly overwhelmed me and I gasped out a sob, burrowing my head more firmly against him. And his arms came around me holding me tightly.
He nuzzled his cheek against the top of my head...
"Please don't cry, baby," he whispered. "I don't ever want to be the cause of your tears again."
I nodded...possibly my new thing...grasping his shirt and looking up into his expression, raw with love and tenderness.
And then he took my face in his hands and bent to kiss my mouth.
I kissed him back hungrily, glorying in the taste of him and the feel of his lips on mine. I'd missed him so much.
Then he leaned away, kissing the tears as they ran down my cheeks, his breath hot on my skin. But I wanted more of him...
Raising my mouth to his, I kissed him again and again, tasting the salty essence of my heartache on his lips, rejoicing in the way our kisses made it all sweet again.
Both of us were breathless by the time my tears had finally abated.
When Sam pulled his mouth from mine, his eyes moved over my face as he whispered,
"You could be pregnant."
I blinked and then shook my head.
"I'm not," I said, recalling the day a week ago when my period had come. I'd been partially relieved, but mostly disappointed and I told him so.
"But...I'd thought even if you didn't want me anymore, at least I'd have a small part of you forever."
"Mercedes," he said hoarsely, pulling me to him again and hugging me tightly.
I looked up, my eyes meeting his...
"Take me home," I said.
After walking a grinning Melodie to her car and hugging her goodbye, Sam and I packed my suitcase and got into his truck, heading for home.
Home...
At the thought of the word, my heart leapt with joy.
I would pick up my car another day. For now, I couldn't bear to be apart from my husband even for an hour.
Sam and I spent the car ride updating each other on everything that had happened since we'd parted.
He listened to me as I explained the plan Harlan, Kitty and I had all come up with, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"I don't know whether to kill all three of you, or to build a shrine to your courage," he gritted out.
"I personally like the shrine idea. I mean, if you're taking votes."
I gave him my most brilliant smile.
His eyes caught mine and he smiled back and then laughed softly.
"That damn spot where you almost have a dimple may have just saved you."
I laughed, smiling wider at him again.
"I think Harlan deserves a promotion," he said. "He's obviously gifted at task juggling. Not only was he helping you, but he organized a whole crew of men to come work at the vineyard even though I couldn't pay them at the time."
"I know." I smiled. "Alice told me."
He glanced at me and raised an eyebrow...
"So I was the only one left out of the loop? Apparently, everyone knew everything going on except for me."
I put my hand on his arm...
"Never again," I said. "From now on, all my plots will involve you."
"You're not supposed to plot anymore," he reminded me.
I bit my lip...
"Oh, right..."
At that, he leaned his head back and laughed.
As we drove through the gates of Evans Vineyard, Sam gently grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
And as we pulled up to the house, Alice came outside clasping her hands to her chest in delight.
We both got out and she descended the stairs, taking me in her arms and hugging me so tightly I laughed, struggling to breathe.
"How's Harrold?" I asked.
"He's wonderful! He comes home tomorrow." And then she hugged me again.
Feelings of gratitude and contentment flowed through me. I was home.
'At last,' my heart whispered. 'At last.'
Harlan, Willie, Carlos and several men I didn't know came walking towards the house, apparently just finished with work for the day.
They were laughing and joking and called out greetings when they got close.
Then Fifty came running up behind them, chuffing excitedly, and for a moment, time slowed as I grinned around at them... my family. A group of misfits and underdogs who, together, had brought a failing vineyard back to life and turned the table on two very powerful, corrupt men.
"Hey Harlan," Sam called out. "Call your woman. She needs to join us. I have about a thousand toasts to make to her."
Harlan grinned.
"Will do, my man."
We decided not to watch the news that night... The world could wait.
And after we had all enjoyed a family dinner full of boisterous laughing and talking and many, many cheers all around, Sam and I retired to our bedroom.
He made love to me first fiercely and quickly, and then again, slowly and sweetly, relief flowing through me at being filled by him again. And as I lay in his arms afterward, I felt limp with happiness and love.
"Mercedes," he murmured, turning to me. "I want you to know that I've made a new vow...one I intend to live by for the rest of my life."
"What?" I whispered, sensing the importance of the words he was about to say.
He tipped my face up to his...
"We're married and there will be times when we disagree or fight, or even question the other. And there will be times when loving you brings up every fear inside me. But my vow is this... no matter what happens, I will never leave the room until we've worked through it." His eyes moved over my face, his expression gentle and vulnerable. "And by that, I mean I won't draw away inside myself. I'll stay present until we've solved the issue between us, no matter how long it takes. I don't want you to ever worry I'll push you away again. I vow that to you with my whole heart."
I felt a deep ache of tenderness as I nodded up at my husband.
"I vow the same."
He smiled gently...
"And sometimes we'll meet halfway, but other times, I'll come to you. And I'll try my very best to put my pride aside so I know when I need to be the one to do that."
"Me too," I whispered, tears flooding my eyes.
He leaned forward and kissed my eyelids, causing the tears to flow down my cheeks. But he kissed my tears away and then pulled me closer against him, nuzzling his face into my hair.
And these vows, made in private whispers in the dim light of the moon streaming through our bedroom window, felt sacred and real, for these vows were based on truth and love.
Epilogue to come.
Stay safe!