I'm so excited to finally get to post this part - I've had most of it written for a couple weeks now and it's one of my most favorite parts of the story. I hope you enjoy it too! It may be a while before the next section - I'm still working on a lot of it and also trying to decide if it should be one big long chapter or broken up in parts. Anyway - happy reading! :)
Saturday evening, Hudson-Hummel home
"Hi, Sam, honey, how are you?" Carole said as she opened the door to Sam, reaching her arms out to hug him.
"I'm good, Mama Carole, how are you?" he asked as he accepted the hug. He'd started calling her that when he'd moved in during his junior year and the nickname had stuck through the year and a half that he'd lived there and beyond. She and Burt both had really become second parents to him and he was immensely grateful for all they'd done for him and continued to do as he was still working at the tire shop with Burt, at least until he graduated next spring.
"Oh, I'm good," she said, ushering him inside the house and into the living room. "Of course it's been wonderful having Kurt and Blaine and the baby here and then knowing all you kids are going to be here tonight – well, it feels like old times." She laughed. "Even makes us feel a little younger, right, honey?" This was directed at Burt, who held up his hand in greeting from his chair.
"I don't know about all that," Burt replied, "but it's been a good weekend so far."
"Blaine's downstairs getting everything set up, if you want to head on down," Carole said, glancing at the clock as she sat down on the couch. "I think maybe you're a little earlier than he said people were going to be here, but I'm sure he won't mind the help."
"Yeah, I actually came a little early so I could talk to you guys for a minute – I guess Kurt and Blaine didn't mention anything about me?"
Carole shook her head. "No," she said slowly. "I don't think…is everything okay?"
Damnit, he hadn't wanted to worry her. "No, no," Sam said quickly. "No, everything's fine. Great, in fact," he added, the smile taking over his face as he said, "But I was actually hoping they didn't say anything, because I kinda wanted to tell you myself – Mercedes flew out early for the reunion and we talked about being a real couple again and, well, we ended up just going ahead and getting married at the courthouse the other day."
"What?" Carole said in surprise, but still already getting up to hug him again. "Oh, Sam, oh, honey, I'm so happy to hear that."
"Thank you," Sam said in genuine appreciation. "I was hoping you would be – I know it's a little sudden, but –"
"But, when you know, you know. And life's too damn short. You kids know that better than most," Burt said as he stood up and Carole stepped away to make space for Burt to shake Sam's hand, clapping him on the back with his other hand. "Congratulations, son. She's a good one."
"Thank you, sir. I think so too."
Burt sat back down and Carole hugged him again before stepping back, holding him at arm's length. "I always hoped," she admitted, "that you two would find your way back to each other. I remember…" her voice trailed off and she appeared lost in thought for a moment before shaking herself back to the present. "I remember how you used to look at her that first spring you were living here. You were all so happy – you and Mercedes, Kurt and Blaine –" here her voice softened as she paused before saying "- Finn and Rachel." She sighed wistfully before going on to say, "I may have only birthed one of you, but all three of you boys who lived here were mine – you and Kurt are myboys too - and I'm just glad to know my boys are happy."
Sam didn't know how to respond to that without possibly crying all over the place so he just stepped forward and hugged her tightly, hoping she would understand all that he wasn't able to say. He thought she did.
The doorbell rang then and Carole went to answer it while Burt said, "Listen, you need me to knock any shifts off your schedule so you can spend more time with your bride, you just let me know, okay?"
Sam nodded. "Absolutely. Thank you."
"What up, what up, Tartie in the house!" he heard from behind him and he turned to see Artie rolling into the living room, followed by Tina, who made a beeline for Sam.
"Did he just say your bride? Since when do you have a BRIDE, Sam Evans? Is it Mercedes? It better damn well be Mercedes. I will not be able to handle it if you have gone and married one of those random girls you date so you can pretend you don't love Mercedes more than anything in the world. So this bride better be Mercedes. Or actually, maybe it better not be, if she couldn't be bothered to TELL me about it. No, it better be her. WHO is this BRIDE, Sam?"
Sam sighed. The New Directions roller coaster ride was officially ready for boarding.
"Heyyy Tina," he said cajolingly, with his best charming smile, sweeping her into a hug.
"Hi Sam," she said, making a face but still hugging him back before stepping away to glare at him, arms crossed over her chest. "Actually, no. Don't you 'hey Tina' me. Don't try to distract me from finding out who your mysterious bride is, seriously, it won't work. WHO IS SHE?"
"Oh my God, Tina! Yes, it's Mercedes. Yes, we got married. It only happened a few days ago. We wanted to tell everyone in person. And I will tell y'all all the whole story once everyone gets here so I don't have to repeat it a million times, okay?"
Tina stood, stunned into silence for a moment before a huge smile spread across her face. "Oh my God, Sam! You and Mercedes got MARRIED! That is AMAZING!" She threw her arms around him in a congratulatory hug and he made a 'what the hell' face at Artie over her shoulder and Artie just shrugged, making an 'I don't know, what can you do' face back at him.
"Congrats, man," Artie said, holding his hand up to high-five Sam as the doorbell rang again.
"Thanks," Sam said with a grin, accepting the high five.
"Are people here – hey, Sam, Artie! Tina!" Blaine said as he appeared from the basement.
"Blainey-Days!" Tina said, rushing to hug him. "Did you know about them getting married?" she asked accusingly.
Sam shot him a 'please help' look and Blaine put his arm around Tina's shoulders, steering her towards the front door. "I just found out last night. C'mon, let's go see who's at the door."
Sam looked at Artie, who shrugged. "What can I say, I like a woman who keeps me on my toes. So to speak. Sounds like you might too."
Sam laughed at that. "C'mon, I'll help you get downstairs."
