That Summer Night
The Choir Room
July
Summer was already well on the way, it was the weekend before sectionals, and Will had asked the alumni to come in and coach some of the groups because three of his teachers had gone down with serious infections that week. Course everyone came to the rescue they owed him and the school at least that, it had been over eleven years since they'd all stood collectively within the walls of that old Choir room taking their winning trophy to that familiar store cupboard, they'd set a precedence and they wanted something to do with holding that flag high.
Lima was on fire this summer, it was only early July and the nights were getting hotter, in more ways than one, for nearly everyone, but there was some that were still feeling the cold too. Today they'd come into school to find there was something wrong with the air conditioning in the science and sports departments, and those departments had been shifted to various classes in the arts and Math departments, the alumni had been told to meet in the Auditorium, the ones that hadn't listened turned up at their old choir room.
They were all still feeling a bit worse for wear after the Saturday night reunion, those that could, met at Will and Emma's for lunch on Sunday and those that hadn't for whatever reason, sat this morning wishing they had made the effort to do something else last night.
"Where's Tina?" Kurt asked looking around the choir room at the sulking faces.
"I saw her go into the auditorium with Santana, Brittany, Mike and I think Blaine was with them" Jessie replied looking over at Rachel not paying any attention to him talking.
"Yeah Blaine went there" Kurt confirmed "You two still fighting about last night?"
"No" Jessie looked over at Rachel again "She's just catching up".
"Oh" Kurt looked across at Rachel seeing something different.
"How was lunch at Will's yesterday?" Sam walked into the room asking Joe.
"It was good, hot though, so we just lay on the lawn talking" he informed him "But we left quite early to be honest" he looked at Sam "Where were you guys?" he pointed at Mercedes.
"We're still doing the distance thing, so every second counts" he smiled, taking his phone out.
St Berry
Jessie sat watching Rachel talking to Quinn and Mercedes, knowing he'd gone too far, they were on vacation, she'd promised they'd have time, but she'd turned him down for the third time already this weekend, he gave up opting to working on a mustang at the Hummell garage instead of time with her. Initially she'd loved that he'd finally decided to do something, he was generally so bored on these visits, but now it had started invading on their time she was showing signs of nag.
She'd totally ignored him this morning in front of everyone, when she walked into the choir room, all he wanted to do was slap the spoilt out of her, a guy was entitled to spend time with his friends and she should know that; well that was how he'd felt last night, but this morning he was having some serious thoughts about why he'd acted like that, especially with their wedding coming up in three months.
Flashback
They'd hooked up as Juniors and for a while, things were sweet, but she got infatuated with Finn, and their relationship got rocky when he found out. In a fit of jealousy, he was unfaithful which resulted in her doing the same and then it just spiralled.
But eight years later, here they were again, they'd gotten engaged and had a great time celebrating this new commitment they'd brought into, the date was set for September this year, and everything was going to plan. Rachel was back with the girls, they were visiting Lima a lot more, because Quinn was staying at her Mom's with the new baby, Sam and Mike lived there, Mike recently returning home for a while, so Tina and Mercedes were around more, and of course the pending wedding they were both happier, but that soon flipped on them.
On a visit home last month, while cake tasting, they ran into Julie, in all honesty he'd struggled to remember her name, but somewhere in their conversation Rachel found out, that contrary to what she had been led to believe, Julie was his first. Things got strained between them after that, understandably with their history, so at first he was holding it down, but after three weeks of drought, he was pissed.
"Rachel" he rolled off her, fed up with the brush off, "I thought we came here to focus on us, when are we going to get over that Julie shit?"
"There's nothing to get over" she snapped "But…"
"There shouldn't be any buts, we've committed now, you told me you were over it, and now this".
"This Julie thing is a big deal for me Jess, I just need some time".
"You know what, take as much time as you need" he got up leaving her laying on the bed.
End of Flashback
So, he'd left her alone since Friday, but unfortunately for him she'd passed by the garage last night, probably to speak to Kurt, and found him lying on the back seat of the Chevrolet, singing, and sharing nachos with Mike, Blaine, and Kurt. That was, obviously, a different picture to the one he'd painted when she called earlier, asking for them to talk, according to that picture he should have been knee deep in oil and metal.
The Choir Room
"So, thanks again everyone for coming back" Mr S looked around "Although I wasn't expecting the place to lock down, anyone want to sing?" he looked at them "Who wants to go first?" Jessie hadn't got a clue what the conversation was, but his face screwed at Rachel jumping up, he hated when she angry sang.
"We'll contribute something" Rachel put her hand up, Quinn and Mercedes following her to the front, "It's someone we thought was under appreciated when we were here, maybe things have changed now, but it's someone Mercedes really wants to appreciate" she plugged Mercedes phone in.
"Ladies" Will toom Quinn's seat to watch them perform something about the morning.
"Just listen" Quinn demanded before the music started, Joe sat wondering what she was mad about.
Mercedes (Quinn & Rachel)
Time won't slow down (for no one) if I don't do it now, (I'll blow it), the way you hold me down, (I owe it) I know you see me now, (I'm glowing and I)
Keep saying, (ah) one day (ah) I'm a show you one day (ah ah) I'm a go (ah) get new waves (ah) I'm a get a new vase (ah ah)
Jessie rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair because, now here she was being nice Rachel. He'd thought she was sitting there ignoring him on purpose, whispering with her friends just to piss him off, but she was sitting there learning back up, of all things, to volunteer to sing with her nemesis. So yet again she was reminding him of one of the many reasons he loved her, he sat back to listen to the song.
Quoe
Joe was sitting there feeling pleased with himself, to him they'd had the best conversation ever last night, Quinn had walked into the living room looking a little green "Can we talk?" she asked kissing her Mom on the way through.
"I was…" he pointed at something on the television.
"Well, you're not watching it anymore" she grabbed his shirt and pulled him with her.
"What's up?" he asked following his shirt.
"You freaking did it" she hissed, her lips thin with how serious she was.
"What did I do?" he looked into her eyes, realising this was serious.
"You knocked me up, again" she whispered through her teeth, for fear of shouting.
"Isn't that what we wanted?"
"Maybe five years from now, but today no" she snapped at him "I just started my second book, Caleb's not even three months yet, you're trying to start your business, this is the worst timing ever".
"I know we put in on the list of things we wanted, but I don't remember us taking it off, as far as I'm concerned this is great news, at least we know I'm not shooting blanks".
"So, what am I supposed to do?"
"That" he grabbed her chin and pulled her to him "Is totally up to you, but the baby stays" he kissed her lips.
"And I don't get a say?"
"Course you do, what colour do you want the nursery, in our new house?"
The lease was up on their home in Jacksonville, so they'd returned home, it had come at a good time really Quinn was getting really anxious about being alone with a new premature baby while he looked into starting his guitar business, so they opted for moving into her family home for six months, they'd already done three of those.
"Babe" she moaned "Plans change" she smiled, ready to use her womanly charm.
"They do babe, but we agreed we both wanted a family, and now another addition's here, I'm all in, you should be too".
"I am".
"So that's settled then" he hugged her, and just like that the deadline for the book disappeared again for her, but he was walking around on cloud nine.
Mercedes (Quinn & Rachel)
You know (you gon' get all of your flowers, flowers) I'll let you (hold it)
Every time I get (the chance) oh, let me bow (my head)
Before I (start up, oh, I can't hold it) every time you (were there oh, let me bow my head)
Oh, let me bow my head.
"Yeah" he looked up into Quinn's eyes, life was way past good, things were going their way and nothing and no one was going to change anything now. He looked across at Jessie and Sam grinning proudly, even Kurt had lifted his head out of his phone to take in what was going on, he smiled Diva was always going to be a Diva demanding her audience "Yep" he threw his feet up on the chair and sat listening, watching Quinn, suddenly realising that although he didn't understand why, she had something to say to him, that needed to be heard.
Samcedes
Sam had walked into the choir room, pissed for seeing Mercedes sat there as if nothing had happened last night, he wanted to rush over to her ask her why she hadn't called him this morning, why she hadn't waited for him, like they'd agreed, and why she was being such a bitch about everything, but he didn't, he just chatted with Joe and Jessie then sat on a vacant chair, he was used to playing her long game.
Mr S was up front talking about something, but he couldn't find the time for all that, he just wanted answers and fast, lucky for him he was near the back of the room 'Why didn't you call?' he tapped into his phone, looking over at her for a second. He heard the notification, so he was sure she did too, but she was still talking to Quinn and Rachel 'Why didn't you wait?" he tapped into his phone, this time he waited for the notification to ping before he looked at her, still paying no attention to her phone, and he knew she knew it was him. He shuffled uncomfortably in his chair trying to fight the urge to jump up and say something, unsure what he was fixing to say anyway, while holding onto the fact that he was actually at work, and his career meant something to both of them.
Flashback
According to Mercedes before she landed in Lima yesterday morning, the nights were going to be theirs, of course after two months away he'd took that literally, he couldn't count last week, they'd been skirting around the subject of love, and commitment for seven years, after the initial discussion years ago, they'd never seriously mentioned sex again until after their engagement three months ago, and even then actual sex wasn't on the table. Knowing how she was he'd thrown this waiting thing on the table, when they got engaged, and truth, he liked the fact that he couldn't come between her and her faith, but to be fair he was a mega horny 28 year old, heavy foreplay was an art they'd mastered, and he craved it..
When she came home they'd generally stay at his, they loved the privacy coupled with dinners at either parent's house, they were on holiday. But when Glynis; a teacher from school, turned up for some scarf she's left after a meal he'd cooked for 6 colleagues months ago, Mercedes went ballistic, walked out, and refused to return to the house, like he'd been using it as some sort of brothel. That last visit ended with her demanding the place be refurnished and redecorated, it was on his list of things to get done anyway so he's started straight away. When she came home last week he'd tried to find them romantic spots, because they were homeless, she'd told him she didn't want to lay on the grass, didn't like sand, dirt, lights, heat, cold, outside, the list went on, everywhere he found she'd have something to say.
They were staying with their parents while the work was being done, so it was difficult, if not near impossible, to have quality alone time, with religious families. So, in preparation for her arrival last night, he'd booked a hotel, less than 3 miles from home, he'd had everything called romance shipped in and sent her the details, she walked in smiling, he was stood rubbing his hands down his trouser legs, hoping they were finally ready for some of their benefits.
"So?" he asked waiting for her verbal approval.
"It will do, actually, it's perfect" she smiled, taking his kiss, his hands wondered, he'd undone her zip before his tongue found its way inside her mouth, he was so impatient "Sam" she pulled away from him "What's the rush?"
"What's the rush?" be backed away asking, if she really didn't know, "It's been nearly eight years".
"Eight years?" she looked at him puzzled.
"Since I got any, I'm totally backed up, you've been teasing for these past couple of weeks" he gasped "Do you know how freaking painful this is?"
"So, you've been counting the days since you went with your last girlfriend?" she nudged him away from her.
"No, since I've had sex" he huffed, at her pushing him off her.
"Same fucking thing Evans" she snapped pulling her zip up.
"What's wrong now?" he snapped knowing yet again, there wasn't going to be anything happening for them this trip "Every time we get to this point there's something else, don't you want to be with me?"
"Seriously?" she snapped back "Just because a girl wants to feel special, wants to be the only thing on her person's mind when shit happens for her, something's wrong with me?" she pushed past him.
"Babe" he grabbed her arm "I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that".
"You never mean it like that Sam, that's the problem" she twisted her arm out of his grip and walked away.
"What the fuck do you want Mercedes, because seriously, I can't work this shit out?" his temper flaring.
"Weill I can tell you, seriously" she huffed "That wasn't it Sam" she hissed his name to show how angry she was right now.
"Sorry" he brushed his hair back, trying to calm down "Can we at least just talk about this?"
"What, more conversation about how backed up you are?" she huffed "I'm fed up with hearing about your damn feelings, what about mine".
"I want to talk about our feelings, I need to understand what's going on between us".
"You know if this is getting too difficult for you we can split up, if that's what you want?"
"No, it isn't" he raked his hand through his hair frustrated as hell "That's not what I want, I want us to talk".
"I'm not in the mood to talk right now, I'm hell of a mad at you".
"Call me in the morning, we'll arrange some time" he walked towards her "Or wait for me outside McKinley" she watched him walk right up to her before she grabbed her purse, turned, and left the room.
End of Flashback
And now she was stood there staring at him singing, telling him in her own way that she was sorry, he was too, but for the life of him he couldn't understand what was going on between them. He wanted to jump up and ask her straight out "What do you want?". He understood she'd be pissed she wasn't his first, hell it would bother him to madness if the shoe were on the other foot, but this shouldn't be punishment for something that happened before them. He looked up at her stood there singing he couldn't help smiling at seeing her looking so vulnerable, he loved that face and everything that came with it, her smile reminding him not only of one of the reasons he'd promised to wait until she was ready, but also how he felt about her.
Mercedes (Quinn & Rachel)
Everything that lasts (take longer) I thought we'd burn out, (it's stronger)
Stop telling' lies, they (linger), if I'm a keep a ring on this finger (oh)and I keep saying, (ah) one day (ah ah)
I'm a show you one day (ah ah) I'm a go get new waves (ah) I'm a get a new vase (ah)
You know you gon get all of your flowers (all of your flowers)
(I'll let you know it) every time I get (the chance) oh, let me bow (my head, before I start up)
(I can't hold it) every time you were there (there) (ah ah) oh, let me bow my head
(ah) Oh, let me bow my head, (ah bow ow) oh, let me bow my head 'Flowers' by Kelly Rowland
"Fuck" he gasped feeling his body move in places it really didn't need to right now, he could feel his face getting red, this was going to take some self-control, and as he sat battling with his body, he smiled at the physical answer to his unasked question this morning; was she really worth all this hassle.
Choir Room
"You guys keep me laughing, as always super over the top, and off topic" Will laughed "But I'm guessing you ladies had a message for your significant others?" he asked unsure what the songs had to do with anything they'd talked about.
"It's called flowers Ms S, as in morning flowers" Mercedes assured him, her eyes meeting Sam's for a second as she made her way back to her seat she'd occupied before.
"It is?" he looked at Jessie puzzled.
"I got it" Sam told him smiling at Mercedes.
"Anyone else?" Will asked "We've got all morning".
"What time is this afternoons lesson?" Sam asked.
"I was hoping twelve thirty, but it really depends on how fast or slow they work" Will told him "If no one else has anything just now, I'll go check how they're getting on with the science block" everyone watched him walk out the door.
"Dude" Jessie went over to sit next to Sam "Everything alright with Mercedes and you?"
"Yeah, why?" he looked at him wondering why he'd have had a conversation with Mercedes about their relationship.
"No, it's just that when Mercedes and Rachel get together there's always something in the pipeline and I wondered if you had a heads up on their shit" Jessie laughed.
"I guess we're as good as a couple not talking to each other gets, right now" Sam chuckled at the pathetic of it all, looking at Mercedes "I'm in the doghouse, again".
"Welcome to my house" Jessie smiled "He looks like someone pleased with himself, maybe he's got the answer" he pointed at Joe sat rocking the chair in front of him with this foot, "Alright?" he asked when Joe looked up at them.
"Yeah" Joe tapped his forehead like he was talking to a captain "But I do have…" he stopped to think about what he was about to say, remembering they hadn't agreed to sharing, it was too late Sam had caught it and homed in on the comment.
"What do you have?" he asked as they moved closer, leaving the women at the far end of the choir room and Kurt sat in the back texting.
"I can't say, Q would kill me" he laughed as they got closer.
"So, things between you guys are good?" Sam cheekily asked.
"Yeah, really good" he smiled.
"Pointers please" Jessie sat down next to him, while Sam grabbed the chair Joe had been rocking with his feet "How do you talk a woman down".
"What do you mean talk her down?" Joe asked.
"You know all that stuff about that random Julie still plays on her mind and we haven't" he nodded not wanting to say the words "You know, since she found out, what should I do to like reassure her?"
"Did you get a test?" Sam asked.
"I went with Julie not San Francisco".
"Everyone's got a random" Sam reminded him.
"He's right" Joe told Jessie "But Artie said he went there too, and he didn't mention leakage, if you know what I mean" he laughed "Anyway that was a freaking age ago wasn't it?".
"How is Artie?" Sam asked, it had been years since he'd returned home.
"Haven't seen him for about nine months but busy is good" Joe told them.
"Reassurance" Jessie brought them back to his question.
"I'm not even an expert in this stuff, sex has never been a problem for us, she led our relationship in that department, and we've just always connected like that" he told them.
"Rachel's freezing me freaking out right now, and I need the upper hand".
Sam sat listening, deflated he was expecting an answer to his situation, and all they'd confirmed for him was that relationships were complicated "So is leaving her an option for you?" Sam asked Jessie.
"Dude, I wish it were, everything would be so much easier, but I know life without her, and I really don't think it's an option for us, she's my person" he laughed at himself admitting that "Can you?" he looked at Sam "See yourself with someone else?"
"Dude" he shook his head "The struggle is real, but the love is freaking deep" he looked over at Mercedes still in conversation with her friends.
"I know" Joe laughed "It pisses me off, we've got so much shit to talk about and all she finds time for, is to talk lyrics, shoes, and bags with her girls" he looked at Quinn laughing "But she can wait, I can play the long game, and when I feel like it, I flick my freaking switch".
"As in?" Jessie and Sam asked eagerly.
"Our next serious conversation, I just swerve left on it, whatever she says I go the opposite, get her so wound up the only way she can think of getting me on side is really good sex, and trust me, when sex is good already, her A game crushes it" he laughed.
"I guess that works if you're already getting some" Sam let slip.
"Seriously?" Jessie's voice loud enough for everyone to stop talking "Sorry" he looked at Joe, as a diversion "Seriously?" he asked Sam again "You guys have been together forever".
"Yeah, and as everyone knows she's also been a Christian forever too, and I get that, we both do but…"
"Dude" Jessie smiled "You need to bust Diva's cherry wide open and pray about it after" he laughed.
"Would you get away with that with Rachel?" Sam snapped.
"Dude, I'm joking"
"Chill" Joe looked at both of them "The ladies are getting on just fine, we're good with that remember?"
"Yeah" Sam laughed
"Serious though" Jessie looked at Sam and Joe "Didn't you think it was off Mercedes and Rachel actually singing a song together without it being a freaking competition?"
"To be honest I found that freaky, even Quinn and Rachel sets me thinking" Joe told them.
"Yeah" Sam smiled "I suppose, they'd do anything for centre stage".
"But she won't do that" Jessie laughed.
"Stop" Sam warned him.
"Try bringing the romance" Joe suggested "Candles, drink, bed, it always works for me".
"It didn't work for me" Sam told him "I guess right now sex seems like the most important thing, but when I look ahead all I see is her".
"Q's pregnant again, and I'm happier than I've ever been" Joe announced, too excited to hold it in.
"How old is Caleb?" Jessie asked, "I thought you guys had a five year plan?".
"He's nearly three months so I guess that's the plan B now, because we've been talking about a family since we met, admittedly we didn't expect it to be this quick but". He raised his eyebrows telling them he really didn't mind "It's impossible for me to fire blanks" he bragged.
"Are you guys sure about this?" Sam asked.
"Yeah" Joe smiled at them "Just means the house will have to be a bit bigger".
"So, I guess it's congratulations to you both, again" Sam smiled knocking fists with him.
"Yeah, congratulations" Jessie hit fists with him too.
"All this talk of arguing, is your wedding still on?" Joe asked Jessie.
"We haven't talked about that since we got here" Jessie laughed nervously "We're supposed to be dress and suit fitting tomorrow morning, we still haven't made a decision about the cake, it's all going south".
"Well, I heard Mercedes say you're supposed to be wedding planning later today aren't you?" Sam asked.
"Coming to think about it, that's something I need to confirm" he got up to make his way over to where Rachel was sitting "Rachel" he looked down at her "Can we talk?"
"I'm talking" she pointed at Quinn and Mercedes.
"I can see that, but I asked if we could talk" he repeated.
"I'll be there in a minute", she turned to continue her conversation.
"Q" Joe called, seeing things going south for Jessie "Can I have a word please, babe?" he smiled, watching her get up to get to him, Sam and Mercedes eyes met again for a second, interrupted by Will's voice entering the room.
"Anyone else got anything?"
"Yeah" Jessie stepped forward, turning to look at Sam and Joe, obviously needing their support, they climbed down to stand with him "You know when you wake up first thing in the morning, you open your eyes and for that split second you just love the world because you know you've lived to see another day?" he asked as he set himself behind the piano, watching Sam and Joe picking up guitars.
"I guess" Will smiled at the theme finally coming into play.
"And then" Jessie carried on "Everything you've got to do today comes rushing into your brain and immediately you just hate the day" he looked at Rachel.
"I guess" Mr S sat trying to picture what the metaphor could be.
"Well, this one's called 'Hate You Love You' by Cheat Codes & AJ Mitchell hope you like it" his eyes focused on Rachel before he banged on the keys starting the song.
Jessie: Still caught in a new love state of mind, just broken souls staying one in the night, all the space in between us a lie, lie, oh,
Joe: Still torn by the way we used to be, takin' freedom over loyalty, doing whatever, whenever we please, please
Sam: Yeah, you push and you pull, and I'm indecisive, but I can't let you go, it's wrong, but it's right
Yeah, the tension is high, but it's just how I like it, yeah, you always remind me
Rachel hadn't been sharing their dilemma with her girls, if it had been just Mercedes she might have gone there, everyone believed they were sworn enemies, but they were far from it, of all the people that truly hated her she knew as fact Mercedes wasn't one of them, they'd made their peace a year ago. They'd talked about music, shoes, purses, and sneakers, their usual thing and of course other people's misery, apparently there was bad news ahead for Artie; Sugar wasn't going to let him down easily either, she'd been seeing some guy for a few weeks.
She knew she'd gone a bit far with this Julie thing, if she was honest with herself she really didn't give a shit about all that but making everyone believe the woman was the thorn in her relationship for attention, when she really wasn't, had sort of taken over and at some time the fake plan had turned into reality and she was keeping Jessie at arms-length. Now here he was singing at her telling her, their relationship might be over, even though he'd love her forever, she could see that wronged wife disaster coming true instead of her happy ever after, so she needed to make this better, she sat watching him banging the hell out of those ivories.
Joe: You're like the definition of bittersweet, you're the poison and the remedy, only addiction that I want to keep, keep
Jessie (Sam): Yeah, you push and you pull, (and I'm indecisive) but I can't let you go, (it's wrong, but it's right)
Yeah, the tension is high, but it's just how I like it, yeah, you always (remind me)
All (Joe)
That I hate you, love you at the same time, (oh) hurts good, but you know I don't mind, (know I don't mind)
Want you even after we fight, hate you, love you the rest of my life (Hey)
Sometimes want to get up and scream, (but it's) All gone when you're looking at me, (and I)
Let you put your name on my sleeve, (hate you, love you the rest of my life)
Quinn had made her mind up about her new-found relationship early on, she'd planned on meeting someone but what was unexpected was that she'd fall in love with him, deeper than she'd ever thought she could fall for someone after Finn, but he'd totally surprised her with his really understanding, considerate, caring, and passionate side. It didn't take any effort, she could easily see herself being with him for life, and what's more she could say with her hand on her heart that he was a brilliant Father to their son Caleb already.
Fast forwards to today of course she wanted her baby she really did, but Lima wasn't it for her, this was never, should never or could never be her happy ever after, so that was the conversation she was building herself up for, Joe had to know she had every intention of living in Washington DC to make a better life for them, so he'd just have to listen to what she wanted and fit it into their plan somehow.
Joe & Jessie: Hate you, love you, I, hate you, love you, I, hate you, love you, I, hate you, love you the rest of my life
Sam & Jessie: Hate you, love you, I (Ooh) hate you, love you, I, hate you, love you, I, hate you, love you the rest of my life.
All (Sam)
Hate you, love you at the same time (Same time)
Hurts good, but you know I don't mind (Know I don't mind)
Want you even after we fight hate you, love you the rest of my life hate you, love you, oh (woah)
Sometimes want to get up and scream, (but it's) All gone when you're looking at me, and I (Looking at me)
Let you put your name on my sleeve, hate you, love you (the rest of my life)
Hate you, love you, I hate you, love you, I hate you, love you, I hate you, love you the rest of my life
Mercedes knew there was no denying this guy was the guy for her, he was her soulmate, she knew that, and when they weren't together her body knew that, but when she was with him she just couldn't get the picture she'd dreamt up of that bitch that broke his virginity, and all the other unnamed notches on his bedpost, out of her damn head, and that was her problem. She knew it was a conversation she had to have with him, but it really wasn't one she wanted to have, there was this niggling thing in the back of her head that he'd want her to do all these freaky things those women had taught him, and seriously, that really wasn't her, or at least she didn't think it was.
And now he was stood in front of everyone telling her that he hated her, or was it that he loved her, she couldn't blame the indecisiveness, she was putting out mixed signals and by the sound of things her behaviour was about to lose her the love of her life. She wiped her face surprised when she felt water, she sat wondering why, she couldn't sit back and make it too late for them, she had to take a stand now and have this conversation outside of her head before it's too late.
She looked up to meet Sam's eyes looking back at her looking just as sad as hers "love you the rest of my life" he sang at her and she knew that was true, she smiled in acceptance of his gesture "I love you too" she mouthed to him, just before the room fell silent again.
"Okay" Will stood up at the end of their song, "That was about seeing the morning in?" he asked for confirmation.
"It was about a feeling you get in the morning" Jessie corrected him.
"Yeah, about waking up and seeing the next day?" he nodded his head still trying to figure it all out.
"Yeah" Joe told him, pushing Sam in front of him to grab their seats again.
"Don't worry Will, I'm just as lost as you" Kurt giggled.
Samcedes
Sam diverted and grabbed Quinn's seat, she was sitting with Joe and Rachel had grabbed Jessie's hand as he'd tried to walk past, so she was fully occupied, this was his chance. He turned the chair backwards and sat facing Mercedes "Are we alright?" he looked into her eyes asking.
"Yes of course we are" she touched his folded arms on the top of the chair "I'm sorry about this morning, it's me avoiding my shit again".
"So, I didn't overstep last night?" he rested his chin on his arms.
"Yes but no, you didn't" she leaned in, and raked her hand though his flopping hair "It was all very sexy, can we go back sometime?"
"Just say the word" he smiled.
"I love you babe".
"I love you too, but I do get a little frustrated with you sometimes I can't lie, I think about giving up and then I look at you and the thought of doing that scares the hell out of me".
"That would just break my whole heart too" she leaned in and kissed him.
"PDA" he pulled back giggling.
"We can do that can't we?"
"Sure but…" he stopped talking when she pulled him back in for another kiss.
"Can we talk tonight?"
"Sure" he smiled, pulled her back in for a kiss.
"Please" Kurt called across the room "Get a damn room if you must" he smiled at them "Oh carry on" he waved his hand in approval "I like that pairing" he looked around the room "I love all of them actually".
St Berry
"I'm sorry about last night, about all of it" Jessie had brought Rachel back to some seats behind the piano for privacy "I got pissed off when you asked for time and took it all the way to St James territory" he admitted.
"And I admit it's definitely the Julie of it all" she rolled her eyes "But I do love you, and I want us to get back to us, it really is about what's going on in my head".
"If you knew what was going on in my head you'd feel so sorry for me too" he smiled "You freezing me out like this is killing me" he grabbed her hand "And you know I love you back".
"We're supposed to be getting married in three months" she looked into his eyes "And we're arguing about some random".
"And that was really all that was" he told her "I know she was trying to make out like it was something bigger, and that's how she'll stay under your skin, but the two of us actually know how shit went down, I was a virgin for God sake, it was quicker than lightening, and I haven't got a freaking clue what she was doing, I was so into myself" he laughed "And in all honesty, until she told you her name I really didn't have a clue what it was, that's how memorable it all was"
"There was no fairy tale event then?" Rachel held her chest smiling.
"Fairy Tale?" he laughed "No actual memory, no lie, I remember every second of our first time" he smiled "Drinks cooler, Basement" he laughed.
"I've sorted the invites out" she giggled at the memory "But I didn't do her one" she grabbed his hand "But I think I'm going to be the bigger person and invite the ass off her".
"You are the bigger person, the best person for me" he looked into her eyes "But you don't need to invite her".
"I know" she leaned in "You're the best" she kissed him hearing some muffled rant from Kurt in the background, but right then, that was not their concern.
Quoe
"How are you feeling?" Joe sat on the chair next to his wife "I want to touch our baby bump so bad" he looked down at her flat tummy.
"I'm good now I've sorted out what I'm going to do" she smiled at him not taking that in.
"We could do with finding our own place, somewhere close of course, I don't want to be living at your Mom's for much longer with all this, what do you think?"
"Oh, I know I won't be living at home, this was supposed to only be until we settled with the baby and now this" she told him grabbing his hand "Joe" she grabbed his full attention.
"I've got enough saved to find us a three bed somewhere close for the time being".
"I've got savings too" she squeezed his hand "You're not listening to me".
"I am babe, you've got some savings too, I know that, but I want to support my family".
"I said I've sorted out what I want to do".
"Your pregnant, you want to have our baby" he sat up to look at her "Don't you?" he pulled his hand away from her.
"Of course I want our baby, but there's so much more I want, I killed myself a few years back to get the grades I needed to get into Yale, four years later and I freaking did it, I got published" she smiled "Your business isn't set up yet, we haven't decided where to buy yet, and I don't want to stay in Lima, to have our baby" she grabbed his hand back "And I just want you to please look at squeezing another idea into your plan for us, for our lives, because I want it to be for us".
"Okay" he smiled at her "We're Quoe, we can do anything we put our minds to" he pulled her to him "And when it involves you, anything is possible" he kissed her lips quickly.
"So, you'll consider moving out of Lima?"
"Anything" he smiled happy "We're a family" he stamped his feet frantically on the floor making noise enough for Kurt to say something, but the noise overshadowed whatever it was.
The Choir Room
"Okay" Will clapped his hands "You've got maybe another twenty minutes before everything fully opens up again, I can see it's getting hot in here too" he looked around the room at the three couples cuddled up "I guess that's what married life does for you" he looked at Kurt smiling.
"Don't knock it" Kurt smiled "I'm incredibly happy thank you very much, and secure" he looked around the room "I know most of you thought it was the wrong thing to do when Blaine and I tied the knot, but honestly, it was the best decision I ever made" he sat back smiling thinking about the day.
"I loved the way you guys were your own ushers " Rachel grinned remembering, "That's an idea" she looked at Jessie.
"No" Jessie snapped.
"I thought it was sweet when you walked your parents to their seats" Quinn held her chest "Carol was so emotional".
"We could…" Rachel turned to Jessie.
"No" he interrupted her.
"Your personal vows, that's what I took away from all of it" Mercedes smiled at her friend "We should..".
"Yes" Sam smiled.
"The whole day was special" Kurt looked at them holding his chest at their memories "And horse drawn carriages, chocolate cakes and patterned suits are fine, but it's what you make it after that day that's important, I mean those vows are like our own personal bible" he looked over at Mercedes giggling to herself "What?".
"Oh nothing, just you referring to your vows as a bible sort of brings a memory of us back" Mercedes waved her hand in the air "I'm not knocking it, after all I believe it's the corner stone of every good solid relationship" she looked around the room "Love" she smiled "It makes you do funny things".
"Makes you put up with some shit for sure" Jessie added laughing.
"Yeah" Sam smiled at Mercedes.
"But it's worth it, shit" Joe reminded them all.
"I'm hearing wedding goals" Kurt laughed.
"Definitely goals" Rachel laughed "And you Mr S are you happy?"
"Actually, I am, very" he smiled at them "I miss you guys like crazy, but I'm meeting new kids every year and well, different is nice sometimes too".
"But are they your family?" Sam asked eager to hear his answer.
"Well, you know you guys are like my family" he looked up wondering "I'd say I see them as your children" he laughed "They walk into this school and I'm smiling as I look at my next challenge who's going to be just like one of you guys, you know".
"So, you've got this?" Quinn enquired.
"I'd say when it comes to music, between Sam and me we've got it" he smiled at his colleague.
"But we came to rock a class, then plan a wedding" Jessie reminded everyone.
"Everything will be up and running again by lunch time, the new groups will be in their rooms and you guys can do your thing, you'll have the afternoon for wedding planning instead" Will told them. "In the meantime, I'll sing the last song and it will be sticking to the theme I put out there".
"Theme?" Sam asked surprised.
"Yeah Morning" Mr S huffed.
"Now we're getting privileges from the teacher?" Rachel asked laughing.
"Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it" Sam grinned looking at Mercedes.
"Come and grab an instrument" he was obviously talking to Sam "Okay, this one holds dear to me, as you'll all know and frankly I expected you to all come at me with it".
"I know which one it is" Mercedes smiled.
"I was remembering four years ago, the morning Sara came into the world, we were all out on the lawn across from the hospital, just minutes after she came, taking a breath because we'd all been in panic for like a straight seven hours, and Sam started singing it".
"Oh yes" Sam smiled, he'd remembered it for a different reason, Mercedes and he had upped their bedroom activities a notch that night before the call came and they all rushed to the hospital, he was singing it to her but Sara could have it today.
"We all joined in and somehow I turned looked up and there was Emma standing with our daughter in the window, we all sang it as a welcome to Sara that morning".
"How could we have forgotten that?" Rachel asked cuddling into Jessie.
"That was just the most beautiful morning" Mercedes looked across at Sam, remembering as the music echoed through the room and Mr S started the singing this time.
Will: Shadows grow so long before my eyes, and they're moving across the page
Suddenly the day turns into night, far away from the city, but don't oh no hesitate, cause your love won't wait.
All: Ooh, baby I love your way, every day I want to tell you I love your way, every day I want to be with you night and day.
Sam: The moon appears to shine and light the sky with the help of some fireflies
I wonder how they have the power to shine, shine, shine I can see them across the pine,
Sam & Will: But don't oh no hesitate, cause your love won't wait, hey,
All: Ooh, baby I love your way, every day I want to tell you I love your way, every day I want to be with you night and day.
Will (Sam): I can see the sunset in your eyes brown and grey, blue besides (Blue beside)
Clouds are stalking islands in the sun I wish I could buy one out the season
Both (All): (But don't) oh no (hesitate) cause your love won't wait, no
All (Sam): Ooh, baby I love your way (baby I love your little way) I want to tell you I love your way (oh)
I want to be with you night and day. (oh, baby oh baby, please). 'Baby I Love Your Ways' by HRVY
"That was definitely about the morning Mr S" Joe laughed
"At least it actually had night and day in it" Will threw back at him.
"Take no notice of him, he wasn't even there, it was a beautiful morning" Quinn gave Joe an annoyed stare.
"Sam it's time to get your two classes ready, and I'll get the other three sorted, remember who's where?"
"Yep" Sam jumped up, kissed Mercedes, and went off to do as told "I'll come back for you".
Once they kicked off the day went smoothly, they couldn't resist pitching the groups against each other, getting themselves a bit of a face off to end the school day, Sam's New Directions wiping the floor with everyone again. There was a bit of planning for Rachel and Jessie's big day, but mostly eating, before everyone went off to have the evening to themselves.
St Berry
"We're back here" Jessie looked around the basement that became their private space, whenever they came home for the holidays "Do you want a drink?" he walked over to the cabinet asking.
"Yeah and yeah" she smiled ready to submit.
The room wasn't a store or laundry room anymore, her parents had sold it back in the day, but she'd brought it back, just two years later, which was lucky for her Dad's, because they got things back together, and selling the house had been their biggest regret.
There was a kitchenette, bathroom, bedroom and living area clearly marked out in the space now, it wasn't massive, but it was enough for the two of them and they'd seen the house as being an asset in the future when they might need to support elderly frail parents, or even children. It wasn't their base today, but they'd both agreed that in the distant future it might well be.
"So, are you alright with the wedding plans?" he asked handing her the drink before sitting down.
"I'm fine with the plans it's our life together after the wedding I'm worried about right now".
"The Julie thing?" he frowned.
"I've had time to think about all that and I'm wondering if I really feel upset about it or if I was just using the drama to keep things alive with us".
"Alive?" he looked at her puzzled "I wasn't aware we could get any more alive".
"Maybe that's not the right word" she looked at him "You know how I like being the centre of attention?"
"I think everyone knows that" he laughed.
"Well, I sort of started feeling pissed for effect, I mean the girls were talking about shit that had happened to them, Mercedes even confessed about having doubts, thinking Sam wanted to cheat on her for crying out loud, we all know that'll never happen" she giggled "And I just exaggerated on how that Julie woman had impacted on us".
"So, you wanted to be like your friends?" he frowned "After everything you had to go through to get them back, you still think deceiving them is the way forward?"
"No of course not, I was deceiving myself" she frowned back.
"So basically, everything you've put me through this past three weeks was to make yourself look good, or fit in, or whatever?" he stood up angry
"I feel terrible, I mean we've both brought our shit in the past, and here I am, so late in the day, caring about yours, while not giving a dime about mine" she looked into his eyes "I'm sorry".
"Sorry?" his voice stern, he watched her stand up and leaning in ready to kiss his lips "Rachel" he pulled back.
"I want to say sorry" he grabbed his neck and pulled him closer "Can I be really sorry?" she asked, their faces touching at the brow as she looked into his eyes.
"You feel free to be as sorry as you feel you need to be" he pulled her face to his, simply happy Joe's swerve theory had worked a treat.
Quoe
"Mom" Joe caught Judy's attention as Quinn and he came out of the bedroom smiling, having just put Caleb down to sleep "We have news".
"You've decided to go back to Jacksonville" she rolled her eyes "I knew it was only a matter of time" she waved her hand telling them it was alright.
"Not quite" Joe giggled at how far off she was "We're…" he looked at Quinn, nodding for her to tell the news.
"We're pregnant again" Quinn blurted out.
"What" Judy sat up shocked "What about the five year plan?"
"We've adjusted it" Quinn told her "And we're moving to Washington DC before the baby comes".
"Are you guys sure about this?"
"Absolutely" Joe told her confidently.
"We still have some of the finer details to talk about, but the baby is definitely staying" Quinn looked at Joe, remembering he hadn't agreed to being a part time stay at home Dad yet.
"Yeah we need to agree on a home, find me a job down there, and source a descent paediatrician before the first trimester" Joe looked at Quinn excited "So we'd appreciate all hands on deck".
"Your sister's only just gone back to India, will she be able to get more time off?" Judy asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, and we know we need to be sensitive around her" Quin told her.
Fran had caught Dengue fever in Africa when she was stationed out there five years ago as a student medical assistant, she'd opted to do her medical training in the army, the fun way. Those eight months hadn't been fun at all, she'd been laid up in a not fit for purpose hospital getting the best care the environment could offer, it was touch and go several times, but she made it. Those months didn't pass without leaving their scars she learnt as soon as she was well enough to travel back home, for a full medical check over, that the prolonged illness, coupled with complications had robbed her of motherhood, it had hit hard at first, but she just seemed to dive into her work after that.
The two sisters couldn't have been any different if they tried, but when they got together they complimented each other. Their Father had left the family when Quinn was eight, having met someone else, he'd passed away just three years later, alone and in pain. The girls being his only heirs had inherited everything their grandparents had when they passed.
"So, you're alright with our plans?" Joe asked Judy.
"I'm fine with whatever you two agree, it's your life" she smiled taking Quinn's kiss "Congratulations" she smiled up at them.
Samcedes
"Do you want to go grab a coffee?" Sam asked, not knowing what to say for the best, Mercedes had been in a strange mood this evening, either she was about to say something he didn't like or that would upset him, and he was avoiding dropping her off, and giving her the perfect reason not to deal with whatever it was.
"Yeah" she smiled "But can we get one to go and maybe drive out to Lost Creek".
"Sure" he smiled inside, whatever it was she wanted privacy too, he swung by star bucks grabbed their coffees, some buns and things and took the 25 minute drive to the creek, the conversation was light, mainly catching up on what they'd been doing over the past week and what needed to be done with the glee clubs they were supporting. They finally stooped at the creek, walked down to the water edge, and sat on the rug he'd brought down "What's up?"
"Don't be mad".
"I won't I promise, I can see you're worried".
"It's just…"
"Hold up" he stopped her "You haven't been seeing anyone have you?"
"No" she giggled "I'd have told you about that if I had".
"And none of us are going to be in trouble as a consequence of what you've done?"
"No" she smiled "Let me finish".
"Okay" he felt better now she was at least smiling.
"Remember our first conversation about sex?" she looked at him.
"Yeah"
"Well, I admit at first that was a big thing for me, I didn't want to be another notch on your bedpost and stuff".
"I would never make you that" he looked at her, needing confirmation that she knew it.
"I know" she assured him "And I lost that after year one to be honest, but" she looked at him with one eye closed, he was ready for it "You remind me every single time we make out of how long it's been since you last had sex, straight after we tell each other how good we've just made us feel and then that comment just pisses me off".
"I didn't realise I did that".
"You did it yesterday" she looked at him "I came home last night, and you just came at me, and don't get me wrong I understood that, but when I pushed you back to take my top off you told me it had been eight years since you'd has sex" she looked at him.
"But it has".
"Sam" she got up "I was here last week, what was that we did every night before I left?"
"Foreplay, seriously heavy, sexy, foreplay".
"So that doesn't count?"
"Babe" he pulled her to sit back down "Our minds need to connect again" he entwined their fingers.
"I don't need to be reminded of what sex feels like babe" she smiled.
"And I just need to seriously apologise for making you feel like crap" he smiled at her sad face.
"Are you fed up with this waiting?"
"Way past fed up" he laughed "But we agreed to waiting because that's what we want to do".
"But that doesn't make this any easier for you" she looked at him sad.
"And in years to come, you'll be asking me how we survived on foreplay" he laughed.
"Promise?"
"Absolutely" he laughed harder "And in future I won't moan about being backed up".
"You can moan about being backed up, just forget how long for" she giggled.
"And just so we're clear, when I talk about that stuff, I'm talking about a feeling, not a person"
"I'm sorry".
"Don't be, now we know we can fix it" he hugged her.
"Can we go back to that hotel?" her head popped up to ask, "My treat".
"Tonight?"
"Now".
"Sure" he took his phone out to try and book, on a Monday night, they should be able to accommodate that. Mercedes sat watching him get it all set up, laughing as they gave high fives when he closed the deal "Everything's going to be set within the hour" he smiled.
"Do you want to set a date for the wedding?"
"I'd love to" he huffed remembering the aftermath of the handling of Peter just before she proposed "But the last time you put the phone down on Peter you nearly lost yourself that contract, so maybe we should wait until things slow down".
"Things are not about to slow down babe" she looked at him.
"What does that mean" his lips twisting for the hint that she was off again.
"I'm looking to tie myself into a contract for three years, I'll be expected to produce two albums and maybe do a short tour at the end of it, and I really don't want to wait for three years".
"I can't wait for another three years" he laughed "So I guess it's me and our parents doing all the planning?"
"I'll be here and on the phone".
"If you'd have told me all I had to do was plan it, we'd have been married years ago" he laughed "What dates are you thinking about?"
"December 10?"
"The day we committed, that's fine"
"I'm trusting you" she warned
"Don't worry, everyone's in hand, we've already picked the invites, I now your colours are teal and white, and I know you want a Diana carriage" he smiled "I can work with that" he nodded "When you head back, I'll start, I don't want to waste our time".
"That was easier than I thought" she giggled "Hotel?" she got up, rushing him on, he didn't need much rushing.
"So that song you sang today" he looked at her when they got in the car "What did you mean about getting new waves, new vase, that wasn't about us was it?
"No" she laughed "That was me saying I'm going to think different, stop being a Berry about my shit, and start being a Samcedes about it, starting with including you in everything I think, say, and do".
"Now I'm really liking that song" he laughed, starting the car.
They were maybe ten minutes into their journey, just around seven minutes from the hotel, laughing about the night to come, and nights gone past, the windows were down taking in the night air, trying to break the humidity of the night.
"I love this one" Mercedes turned the stereo up, both of them singing along to 'Only Wanna Be With You' by Post Malone
Both: You and me, we come from different worlds, Sam: You like to laugh at me when I look at other girls
Mercedes: Sometimes you're crazy then you wonder why, I'm such a baby cause the cowboys make me cry
Sam: But there's nothing I can do, I've been looking for a girl like you.
Mercedes: You look at me, you've got nothing left to say, I'm gong to pout at you until I get my way
Sam: I won't dance, you won't sing, I just want to love you but you want to wear my ring
Both: But there's nothing I can do I only wanna be with you, you can call me your fool, I only ...
Suddenly Sam swerved in the road, their eyes widened as Mercedes grabbed for his arm and the door, and started screaming, while he gripped the wheel, and flung his other arm across her chest, the car crossed over into the oncoming traffic lane and screeched to a halt "Babe are you alright?" he watched her flop into his chest, still gripping the door.
"Yeah, I'm alright" they hugged each other
"I've got to move the car babe" he turned the engine back on and moved the car to the side of the road
"What was it?"
"I think it was Brittany" Sam looked behind them "Something's happened" he looked back at Mercedes "I'm going to have a look" he opened the door and got out "Wait here".
"No" she jumped out the car to follow him, they walked towards Brittany, the woman was just wondering down the road "Britt" she called trying to get her attention "What are you doing?" she asked when she got to her, it was clear she was in shock "Where's Santana?" she looked around "Britt" Mercedes shook her "Where's Santana?".
The shake seemed to force Brittany into action "She's…" she pointed down the bank, Sam and Mercedes left Brittany to go see what was happening.
"God" Mercedes gasped seeing Santana's car turned on its head laying some way down the dirt tracked bank
"What happened?" Sam looked at Mercedes for a second and set off towards the car to see about Santana
"Sam" she called after him, watching him disappearing down into the depths of the bank, before getting distracted by Brittany grabbing hold of her.
"I'll be careful" he shouted as he disappeared down the bank, it seemed like seconds later there was a massive bang and flames leapt into the air.
"Sam" Mercedes screamed, her screams drowned only by the screams of Brittany calling Santana's name, as they both swung back with the fright of the explosion, the flames high in the sky, flickering in the wave of the natural heat of the summer night.