A/N: Thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed. I love Sam/Mercedes/Stevie/Stacie interaction so expect more of those to come up.
Chapter 7:
"What have I missed?" Sam shouted and everyone turned their heads towards him.
He zeroed in on Mercedes and she quickly looked down and grabbed her bag as she pulled Lauren away trying to get out as quick as she can. Santana and Tina was shocked and quickly made their way towards the two.
"Hey man! I thought you'd never come!" Artie made his way to Sam and gave him a one arm hug.
Sam's eye never left Mercedes as the girls crowded her.
"Sam you know Mike and Britt right? And the ladies over there are Tina, Santana, Lauren and Mercedes!"
"Yeah, they all work for me!" Sam responded his eyes burning through Mercedes.
"Really? So can you give me Lauren's number?" Puck's face was so close to Sam's that Sam had to step back.
"Man what's wrong with you? Is your ass drunk already?"
"He's drunk from Lauren Zizes!" Artie laughed.
The distraction became an opportunity for Mercedes to head towards the door only to be stopped by a blonde figure walking towards the guys.
"Quinn! Glad you could make it!" Artie beamed.
"Well I heard the golden boy arrived so I had to come!" She reached up and kissed Sam on the cheek.
A hint of jealousy boiled inside Mercedes, she don't know why but she felt like the world crumbled around her when she saw Quinn kiss Sam. She shook herself out of the thoughts and started moving her feet when she heard someone call her name.
"Mercedes!" Sam shouted.
Mercedes turned with shock visible on her face. How could he know her name, he's suppose to be a douchebag who doesn't take time to know his servers name, so how can he deduce from the four names introduced to him that she was Mercedes. But then again she just gave herself away when she turned around.
"Are you going anywhere?" Sam stared at her intensely.
"It's getting late and I have work tomorrow so I'll just let myself out! Good night!" Mercedes smiled.
"It's good your name isn't Constance, because I'm pretty sure she no longer works for me!" Sam teased.
Mercedes bit her lower lip and walked towards Sam.
"I'm really sorry Mr. Evans!" She heard the girls gasped and suddenly she remembered one of their warnings. "Uhmmm, I'm sorry about the other day! I was just being my cocky self. As much as I love my pride I know when I'm in the wrong and I am truly sorry for the things I said. I didn't know you so I had no right to say the things I did!" Mercedes looked in Sam's eyes to show her sincerity.
Sam was mesmerized with her brown eyes and couldn't even remember what they were talking about.
"I would have apologized sooner but I was told it would be best if I stayed out of your way. I've been doing a good job so far until fate brought us together again!" Mercedes giggled as she tried to lighten the mood as she noticed Sam's gaze at her.
He was suddenly brought back down to earth when he heard Mercedes giggle.
Her laugh felt like music to his ears and he could get to that sound every day.
"No need for extremes! I am a good sport you know among everything else!"
The others couldn't hold it any longer as they all burst into laughter. Sam glared at them while Mercedes joined in the laughter.
"That's a good one man!" Puck was wiping a tear from laughing so much.
"Yeah Sam! You of all people a good sport? That's priceless!" Artie added.
"Not to disrespect you Sam, but we have to serve you for an entire year for you to actually remember our names! Heck if I had known this weird language could do this to you I would have learnt it a long time ago!" Santana chided.
"I don't know what's going on nor do I care, just let her go if she wants to leave Sam!" Quinn spoke from the couch looking bored. "Come on, it isn't like she's worth your time! Look at her for Pete's sake, you can do better!" Mercedes was shocked at what this girl was saying, but she understood her place and wouldn't do anything to stoop to her level.
"I better go! Thanks again for the wonderful evening!" Mercedes broke the awkwardness.
"She's just tactless, don't take it against her! She's wonderful when you get to know her!" Artie whispered to Mercedes as he hugged her goodbye.
From the way Artie covered for Quinn, it was only too obvious to her that the blonde was referring to was the ice princess herself. Suddenly her mood lightened, if Artie is that in love with her then she must really be a nice person, there is still hope, but she knew she shouldn't get herself drawn in all the drama.
Puck hugged her as well and immediately turned to Lauren for a hug which she agreed to only to be surprised by Puck's lips on hers kissing her senseless.
"So now what do you think?" Puck smugly said as he looked at a dazed Lauren.
She quickly fixed herself and shrugged as if nothing has happened. Puck's face fell but soon changed when Lauren took his hand and wrote her number on his palm.
"Well that was something!" Lauren broke the silence as they walked the pavement trying to find a cab.
"Yeah! Puck is really in to you, why give him such a hard time?" Mercedes nudged Lauren teasingly.
"Uh oh you're not gonna go there girly! I could say the same thing about Sam on you!"
"What? Please the guy's just being a gentleman, which to be honest I never thought he was! It's actually your fault for feeding me all those gossips!" Mercedes placed a hand on her hip as she looked at Lauren with a raised brow.
"Gossip being the operative word! Sam is a nice guy, he can't help that women throw themselves at his feet and he is a man after all. Everyone likes him as you should know by now, but he is a bit of prankster too!"
"Well i just hope I don't cross his path any more. I don't think my heart can handle all the drama! I almost had a heart attack when he threatened to fire the kitchen staff over a salad!"
"Nah, he was just kidding! They all know that and they would never make Mr. Evans wait for his food!" Lauren winked.
Chapter 8:
It's been a couple of weeks since Mercedes last saw Sam, she never saw him after that night at the club. Either she's getting really good of avoiding him or that he was avoiding her. Mercedes is getting good at her job in the restaurant and making lots of friends.
"Morning Cedes! You're looking lovelier everyday if I do say so myself!" Finn beamed at Mercedes.
"Please boy stop with the flattery you know I'll save you some pastries later!" Finn smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah, uhmmm… Cede's can I ask you something?" Mercedes looked at Finn curiously but nodded for him to go on.
"There's this gig on Friday, I actually play drums for this underground band. Just wondering if you want to watch us play?" Finn waited for Mercedes' response.
"Sure I'd love to! I'll ask the girls if they want to join it'll be so much fun!" Mercedes smiled and Finn lit up.
"Thanks! I'll remind you again tomorrow and the day after so you won't forget!"
"I won't and I see you everyday anyway!" Mercedes winked at Finn before going inside.
"Sam! Samuel! Samuel Martin Evans!" Rachel shrieked.
"What? What's wrong?" Sam snapped out of his day dream.
"I've been trying to get your attention for some time now! I know we've been busy with the non-stop business trips but I've never seen you this out of focus! We still have a lot to cover and I don't want this to drag any longer than it has to, so come on, FOCUS!"
"Ok Ms. Busy-body, run the agenda with me again. I promise I'll be my usual self!" Sam smiled and a thought popped in his head. He looked out the window of the company's private jet and his smile grew wider as he remembered Mercedes' beautiful smile. Once again Rachel's voice was drowned out and his focus was once again lost to Mercedes.
Friday night finally arrived. Finn was true to his word and reminded Mercedes every single day as he opened the door for her and during their breaks. Mercedes made it a night out with her friends. It took her a while to convince them that it wasn't a date and that Finn merely wanted people to see their band. The girls agreed but Santana still thought otherwise.
"Cedes! Here's the direction to the club, I'll see you guys there at 10!" Finn smiled at Mercedes oblivious that Santana was making her way towards them.
"Hi BFG! So what's going down after your gig?" Santana asked.
"BFG?" Mercedes asked.
"Big Friendly Giant!" Santana answered gesturing to Finn like it was really obvious what she meant.
"Santana!" Mercedes' eyes grew wide not believing what she just said.
"Mercy, you know I'm just playing! But still what's going to happen after your gig Finnie?" Santana grinned at Mercedes before looking at Finn.
"Well I can buy you guys a few round of drinks, like a thank you for coming then head home since we all have work the next day!" Finn answered looking a bit confused with Santana's line of questioning.
"Don't worry Finn, Santana's just messing with you! We'll see you later!" Mercedes pushed Santana as they left Finn behind.
"Finally done!" Rachel raised her arms in triumph as she plopped down in one of the hotel's plush sofa in the lobby.
"I'm heading to my room! I'm really tired, I'll see you tomorrow Rachel. Good job again!" Sam smiled.
"Nuh ah! You are buying me drinks for the great job I just did!" Rachel protested.
"Just charge it to the hotel bill I'll pay for it!"
"Ok fine, but be warned I'll drink you dry!" Rachel teased.
"I doubt that! You've been my assistant for what, 2 years now? Well you've yet to show you can be reckless and that's what makes you a great assistant to one Sam Evans!" Sam laughed.
"Just checking that you know my worth!"
"Oh yeah I do know! Who else can juggle my appointments better than you!"
"Speaking of appointments, you haven't made any "extra curricular" (Rachel doing air quotes as she said extra curricular) appointments lately. Are you slipping Sam?" Rachel raised a brow as she side-eyed Sam.
"If you must know Ms. Berry, YES! I'm leaving now so have a good night!" Sam smiled as he left Rachel with her thoughts.
"Finn that was awesome!" Mercedes hugged Finn as he arrived at their table after their set.
"Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!" Finn stared at Mercedes grinning.
"Yeah I didn't know you have rhythm BF… Finnie!" Santana saw Mercedes glaring at her.
"Thanks, I think!" Finn responded.
"Great job Finn! I'm an instant fan!" Lauren high-fived the drummer.
"Yeah man you guys are awesome!" Tina smiled.
"Aw, you guys are so nice!"
"And there it is! Just when I'm starting to think you're cool you become all sappy like that! You're like a St. Bernard dog Finnie, a big softie!" Santana laughed.
"I like St. Bernards and there's nothing wrong with Finn being a big softie!" Mercedes defended Finn.
"Yeah yeah defend your boyfriend Cedes!" Mercedes and Finn blushed.
"Oooh girl! First Sam now Finn, you go girl!" Lauren cheered.
"What? What about Sam?" Tina looked at Lauren eagerly waiting for more info.
"Oh yeah I forgot you were sucking your boyfriend's face!" Lauren laughed while Tina pouted.
"Only kidding T! I was just telling Cedes here that Sam is crushing on her back at the club. His girlfriend might be there but there were sparks when Sam and Cedes were talking. I had goose bumps just looking at them!" Lauren laughed while Tina tried to process all the information.
"Don't listen to Lauren, Tina! You know she likes to play mind games. She only said that to me when I pointed out that Puck was really in to her!"
"That may be true Ms. Jones but since Noah and I are officially dating now it doesn't count anymore!" Lauren stuck her tongue out at Mercedes.
"Come to think of it, I've never seen Sam that calm ever. You might be on to something Zizes!" Santana jeered.
"Mr. Evans, Sam?" Finn asked.
"Stop it! There's nothing going on between us. I don't know what you guys see, but he's just a good employer after all. Took me a while to see it but that's just it, nothing more nothing less!" Mercedes glared at the girls daring them to say something.
"Alright if you say so! But I bet all my tips for a week that Sam and Mercedes here will end up together sometime in the next 3 months!" Santana grinned.
Mercedes jaw dropped when Tina and Lauren bet their tips as well.
"I don't believe you guys! Finn do you want to go somewhere else? I don't think I want to hang out with this lot!" Mercedes turned to Finn and begged Finn with her big doe eyes.
Finn nodded and held out for her hand. Mercedes took Finn's hand and walked out the club soon after she glared at her friends.
Mercedes and Finn found a quaint coffee place quite near the club and decided to hang in there for a while.
"I'm really sorry for ruining your night!" Mercedes apologized.
"No problem, I was just glad you came. Uhmm… Cedes? I hope you don't think of me as being forward but can I ask you something personal?" Finn stared at his cup of coffee trying to avoid Mercedes' eyes in case she gets mad at him too.
"Ask away, it's the least I can do for ruining your night!"
"Do you have feelings for Sam?" Mercedes didn't expect that question and felt she was caught off guard.
Mercedes knows she feels something for Sam but at this point she has no idea what it was and if it'll go anywhere knowing their worlds are far too different.
"Honestly I don't know! I guess it's some sort of admiration like what everyone in the restaurant has for him, but beyond I don't think there's anything there like what the girls were trying to imply." Mercedes answered truthfully and hoped that Finn would accept her answer.
"But what if he feels something for you, would you consider it?" Mercedes laughed.
"I'm a realist Finn. I know my place in the world. If it happens it'll happen but I won't entertain ideas like that unless he actually tells me he loves me and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Even then I'll still be skeptical until we are married!"
"I get it! Just nice to dream sometimes, it takes you away from the harshness of reality sometimes."
"Yeah! But I really can't afford to get distracted!" Mercedes took a sip of her coffee and looked out the window away from Finn's confused stare.
"I have to go! Let's call it a night!" Mercedes smiled at Finn and they left the coffee shop.
Chapter 9:
Mercedes decided on a quiet Saturday evening. Saturday evening has become date night to her friends and she didn't feel like tagging along when they asked her to join them.
"Come on Cedes you got to loosen up a bit!" Santana half-shouted with her arms wrapped around Brittany trying to convince Mercedes.
"I'm fine, you guys have fun!"
"This is all your fault Noah!" Lauren turned to Puck and pouted.
Lauren and Puck have been dating a few weeks now, although Lauren still puts Puck in his place most of the time they have noticed the change in her. She is just as enamored with Puck as he was with her. Their relationship is crazy but it works for both of them.
"No! Don't listen to her Puck, she's just messing with you! I just want a bit of ME time right now. I've been working 8 days straight and I miss lounging around the house on a Saturday!" Mercedes explained.
"Well if you decide you want to go out just send us a text, ok?" Tina grabbed Mercedes for a hug.
"You girls are so weird! Go on shoo!" Mercedes playfully pushed them before walking the opposite direction to the subway.
The ride was peaceful. Finally after the past weeks' events her thoughts are slowly being replaced by other things that aren't Sam Evans. As soon as she realized that she no longer thought of Sam her mind was flooded with memories of his smile. Mercedes opened the door to her apartment, placing the keys in the bowl and walked straight to her room to get changed. She walked out of her room in sweats, t-shirt, a towel wrapped around her head and mud facial. She sat on the couch and clicked the remote to turn on the television. She finally settled on the Sci-fi channel and continued with her personal pamper time.
"Cedes are you home?" Kurt shouted from the doorway.
"Yeah in the living room! What are you doing home early?" Mercedes' question was soon answered when Kurt walked in the living room with Blaine at his tail covered in something that looked like coffee.
"We were walking after our dinner at Ray's a couple of blocks away from here and a woman carrying a tray of drinks just slammed on Blaine here, ergo since we are nearer to our apartment we went here so he can get cleaned up." Kurt explained.
"Hi Mercy! Nice mudpack!" Blaine grinned at Mercedes.
"Glad the accident hasn't dampened your humor!" Mercedes raised a brow.
Soon all three of them were sat on the couch with towels on their heads and facial while laughing at a rerun of Friends.
"This is so much fun! We should make this a regular thing!" Blaine excitedly suggested.
"And you were dissing my facial earlier!" Mercedes pointed out.
"I miss our pamper time Cedes! I agree with Blaine we should do this on a regular basis. I miss hanging out with you like this!"
"It ain't my fault you got yourself a man!" Mercedes laughed. "But yeah I want to have this bonding time with both of you!"
"Then it's set! One Saturday a month we will stay at home and have pamper time!" Kurt and Mercedes squealed from joy.
"Well as much as I want to continue this bonding time I have work tomorrow so a bid you two goodnight!" Mercedes stood up and started making her way to her room.
"You know you're entitled to refuse shifts right?" Blaine stopped Mercedes.
"I know! I'm only working the Sunday brunch service, I have the afternoon and Monday off since I have a gig tomorrow night!" Mercedes stuck her tongue out at Blaine. "That reminds me Kurt, you have to be there by 9PM so you can get in for free!" Mercedes winked at Kurt before walking back to her room.
Mercedes walked to one of her booths where the people currently occupying it are busy looking through the brunch menu. It seems to be a party of three consisting of an adult and two children.
"Good morning! Isn't it a beautiful Sunday morning! Can I start you off with something to drink? Our sweet tea is one of our best and most popular beverages if you don't mind me suggesting!" Mercedes greeted as she waits for them to look at her.
"Mercy!" Stacie put down her menu and got out the booth to hug Mercedes.
"Hey pretty girl. " Mercedes beamed as she embraced Stacie.
Stevie soon got out of the booth and joined in the hug fest.
"Wait! She's Mercy?" Mercedes was startled and recognized the voice immediately and turned to the adult sat with the two children.
"Mercy this is our brother Sam! Sam this is Mercy my girlfriend!" Stevie introduced Mercedes.
Mercedes' shock soon faded and smirked at how Stevie introduced her.
"Hey I told you look me up in 20 years!" Mercedes laughed as she lightly pinched Stevie's cheeks.
"That's when I'm going to marry you, so for now you're my woman!" Mercedes placed her hand on her hip and looked at Stevie.
"Boy where did you get that idea? And are you old enough to start talking like that?" Mercedes raised a brow at Stevie waiting for a response.
"Sorry ma'am!" Stevie's cheeks are now beet red.
Mercedes thought it was cute and gestured for Stevie to give her another hug.
"So how about you guys have something to eat now, the restaurant's quite busy I need to go to the other tables you know!" Mercedes smiled.
"I want some sweet tea Mercy!" Stacie said as she raised her hands.
"Me too, I want some sweet tea!" Stevie mimicking Stacie.
"And how about you?" Mercedes looked at Sam as she waited for his reply.
"Make it three sweet tea!" He smiled.
"Very good! I'll be back with your drinks in a jiffy so hopefully you have your orders by then!" Mercedes left the booth but not before winking at Stacie and Stevie.
"That's Mercy?" Sam asked the children again.
"Yeah, Mercedes! She told us we can call her Mercy or Cedes but we like Mercy better!" Stacie beamed.
Sam smiled at Stacie while Stevie moved closer to his brother.
"Remember Sam I called dibs!"
"Boy you're 8 years old and I don't think you can call dibs on girls!" Sam laughed while Stevie pouted.
"Come on Stevie I'm only messing with you. But you are too young for Mercy, I think she's only humoring you 'coz you're so dang cute!"
Stacie thought for a moment and looked at Sam.
"I still want her to be my sister, so Sam you have to marry Mercy!"
Sam was shocked at what his little sister was saying, but the thought didn't sound crazy to him at all. He did want to get to know Mercedes better, but he knew he isn't Mercedes' favorite person right now so for that to happen he needed a miracle. But then again maybe he needed two kids named Stevie and Stacie. A smile formed on his face and turned to Stacie.
"I can try Stacie but only if you and Stevie help me!" Stacie's eyes sparkled and looked at her other brother sulking.
"Stevie! Come on, even if you don't marry Mercy she can always be with us if Sam marries her! You know he's always busy so Mercy will be spending most of her time with us!" Sam smirked at Stacie's reasoning while Stevie contemplated on it.
"Ok I'm in!" Stevie finally smiled.
Chapter 10:
Sam didn't know if he should be happy or upset about what his siblings revealed about himself. Has he been that predictable? Or has he been so detached with his family that his siblings prefer non-family over him. He miss the days that Stevie and Stacie's world revolves around him, he would do anything to get that back. Hopefully it isn't too late. Sam snapped back to the present as Mercedes was putting down the drinks.
"Here you go, three sweet tea! So are we ready to order?" Mercedes' eyes sparkled as she smiled at them.
"I want chocolate chip waffles with whip cream and maple syrup!" Stevie ordered.
"I want banana pancakes with whip cream and plenty of chocolate syrup!" Stacie smiled at Mercedes as she handed her menu back.
"I will have two waffles with mixed fruits, whip cream and maple syrup!" Sam's grin was wide as he handed the menu to Mercedes.
"Uh uh. You three aren't just having sugar for brunch! Order something else to go with that, hopefully something that resembles a proper meal." She handed the menus back and waited for the three to order something else with their previous orders.
"Do you guys need more time?" She tapped her foot as she looked at the three.
"Mercy I don't know what to have there's too many choices!" Stevie complained.
"I just want the pancakes!" Stacie pouted.
"I think I'm old enough to be able to pick what I want to eat!" Sam burrowed his brows and pouted.
"Tì'efumì oeyä, tìkxey ngaru! (in my opinion you are wrong!)" Mercedes said as she glared at Sam which made him smile instantly.
"You of all people should set a good example to the kids. Ok I'll compromise! I'll bring you all a plate of Spanish omelet, sausage and bacon. Once you finish all of that I will bring the waffle and pancakes. Deal?" Mercedes suggested.
The three agreed and Mercedes left smiling from getting her way.
Mercedes returned a few minutes later carrying the plates of omelet, sausages and bacon. The three dug in their food as Mercedes left not before telling them she'll be back with their other orders as soon as they've cleaned their plates. Mercedes tended to her other tables, but at the same time kept an eye on the three to check if they're nearly finished with their food. Once she was satisfied by how much they've eaten, she went to the kitchen and placed their waffles and pancake orders. As soon as her orders were out she carried the plates back to their booth.
"As promised! One chocolate chip waffle with whip cream and maple syrup for Stevie. One stack of mini banana pancakes with whip cream and chocolate sauce for Stacie and last but not the least two plain waffles with mixed fruits, whip cream and maple syrup! Enjoy!"
Stevie and Stacie's eyes went wide as the sight of the plates in front of them. Mercedes laughed as the kids dug in their food. Sam was watching Mercedes and couldn't help but smile. Warm feelings were stirring inside of him and he just couldn't stop staring at her. His thoughts were interrupted again when Mercedes spoke.
"If you guys need anything else just call for me!" Mercedes left the three to start clearing her tables.
Mercedes came back with the check when she saw the three finished their meal. She handed the bill to Sam and looked at Stevie and Stacie.
"How was it?" She asked.
"Really good and now I'm stuffed!" Stevie rubbed his tummy.
"I love the mini pancakes, it's just the right size for me! And I liked the egg thingy, it's yummy." Stacie beamed at Mercedes.
"Glad you both liked it! So how was your brunch?" She looked at Sam who was startled when she caught him staring at her. Mercedes grinned at the sight of Sam trying to look at the bill again. "Everything in order?" Mercedes jabbed.
"Yes everything seems to be accounted for, thank you!" Sam responded.
"Good! So how was your food?" Mercedes asked again.
"Excellent as usual, compliments to the chef!" Mercedes couldn't help but giggle at how goofy Sam looked.
"I'm sure to tell him that!"
Chapter 9:
"Bye guys! I'll see all of you on Tuesday!" Mercedes waved as she went out the kitchen after her shift.
Mercedes was putting her coat on when she saw Stevie and Stacie playing by the waiting area of the restaurant.
"Hey! Where's your brother?" Mercedes asked.
"He's at the back taking a call. Where are you going?" Stevie asked.
"It's my off this afternoon, so I was thinking of going to the national museum and a mini picnic at central park!"
"Wow, can I come?" Stacie pleaded.
"I'd love to take you two with me but I don't think your brother will let a stranger take you! You two are after all from a high profile family!" Mercedes held Stacie's hands as she explained.
Stacie thought for a moment. "Why don't we bring Sammy with us?"
"Don't you guys have other plans?" Mercedes inquired.
"Nope, we just planned to spend the whole day together!" Stacie replied purposely leaving out just the Evans' kids part of their deal with Sam.
This has become a weekly bonding for the siblings. Sam trying to spend as much time as he could with his little brother and sister to keep them happy. Stevie and Stacie always looked forward to their weekend time with their big brother Sam doing fun stuff like they used to do. They have missed him so much when he was in college and then when he started working, but slowly they feel that their brother Sam is finally coming back to them.
"How can you be so sure that your brother has no plans for you guys?" Mercedes inquired.
"I don't think he'll mind changing it as long as you're with us!"
Sam walked out from the back office to the front of the restaurant to see his siblings with Mercedes waiting for him. Stacie sat on Mercedes' lap while she stroked Stacie's hair. Stevie leaned on Mercedes as he sat next to her listening intently at what she was saying. Sam's heart skipped a beat and quickly felt panicked from what he is experiencing at that moment. He can't be falling for somebody he just met he thought to himself. He shook himself as if it helped to shake away his feelings, but he knew it was no use. As he walked closer to her he was resolved into a grinning idiot unable to hide the joy he's feeling inside as it shone through his face. Stevie couldn't keep the laughter anymore; he burst out laughing the moment Sam fought with himself that resulted to his distorted face. Stacie and Mercedes looked at Sam with concern.
"Are you alright? Are you having an epileptic attack?" Mercedes voiced her concern.
At that point Stacie has joined Stevie in a laughing fit. Stacie finally climbed down Mercedes' lap and leapt into Sam's arms.
"Sammy you're so funny!" Stacie laughed some more.
"Anything to keep you happy darlin'!" Sam responded in a southern drawl.
"Sammy, Mercy's going to the national museum, can we go with her please?" Stacie pleaded.
"I told her you might already made plans but she insisted you haven't! I told her it's alright with me as long as I'm not ruining your schedule!" Mercy explained.
"Of course you're messing my schedule by your mere presence, how can I think of anything else when you are right in front of me!" Sam thought to himself. "Actually Stacie's right! We just plan to wing it and see what happens today!" Sam responded.
"Yey!" The kids shouted.
"This is my favorite spot right here!" Mercedes stood in front of the T-Rex exhibit and looked up at the skeleton in front of her.
"Why is it your favorite spot?" Asked a curious Sam.
"Yeah Mercy why is it your favorite spot? I like dinosaurs and all but I can't say that that's my favorite spot in the entire museum!" Stevie pointed at Mercedes' feet.
"Hmmm… Well I can say that this is my favorite spot; one because whenever I stand here and look up at the big T-Rex it sort of put things in perspective for me. Like for example, do you think that old T-Rex thought hey one day I'll be in a museum and people will look at me with amazement!" Stevie and Stacie giggled. Sam choked back a laugh as Mercedes giggled as well.
"I don't think he thought of anything apart from hunting having a brain as small as a walnut, but still he's here showing us that there's a lot of amazing things out there and we just have to go out and find them!"
"So what's your other reason?" Sam prodded.
Mercedes thought about her father smiled.
"This is the very same spot I stood when my dad brought me here for the first time! He told me that the world holds a lot of mysteries and that I shouldn't settle for anything less. He said that I have to find what makes me happy and that I shouldn't depend on other people to make me happy. The next year he died and left me alone, I knew then that that was his way of preparing me for life without him. So every time I feel lost I would go to this spot and look up to find my happiness!" Mercedes looked up at the dinosaur with the biggest smile on her face and thought to herself "I miss you daddy, but I'm ok!"
Stacie ran to Mercedes and gave her a hug as she sobbed quietly.
"I'm sorry Stacie, I didn't mean to upset you!" Mercedes pulled Stacie up and hugged her tight.
"I'm sorry Mercy, I don't mean to be a cry baby!" Stacie managed to say in between sobs.
Sam stood in awe at how strong this woman in front of him is. He envied how content she was with her life and he hope one day he could have the same enlightened existence as she has. Stacie managed to calm down but Mercedes still held her tight.
The emotional exchange earlier is now replaced by endless laughter as they made their way through different exhibits in the museum while Sam did his funniest impressions. Mercedes couldn't help but feel comfortable around Sam. She couldn't imagine now how could she ever think that this guy is such a douchebag when to her he is the greatest guy in the world.
"Oh no what am I thinking! He is a great guy I must admit but to say the greatest, where did that come from?" Mercedes thought to herself as she chewed on her bottom lip. Sam glanced over Mercedes and saw her looking a bit distressed.
"Mercedes are you okay?" Sam asked.
His voice snapped Mercedes out of her deep thought and immediately plastered a smile before looking up to Sam.
"Yeah! I just remembered something I need to do before tonight!" Mercedes lied.
"You have plans for tonight?" Sam inquired feeling slightly jealous and Mercedes just nodded as she played with Stacie.
"You're not having dinner with us?" Stacie pouted.
"Sorry sweetie, maybe next time! I have work tonight you see!" Mercedes reasoned with Stacie.
"But I thought it's your off from the restaurant?" Stevie asked.
"Yes, but I have another job. Not really a job coz it doesn't really help to pay for anything!" Mercedes chuckled.
"So what do you do?" Sam is starting to get really curious.
"I sing!" Mercedes smiled but the look on Sam's face meant for her to explain further. "I want to be a singer! That's why I moved here in New York in the first place. You know the struggling artist doing odd jobs to chase their dreams, that's me! I get the occasional gigs once in a while during the off season, but the holidays is the money maker!"
"So you have a gig tonight?"
"Yes! I get a whole set opening for a local up and coming artist. This is such an exposure for me so I'm really excited! Anyway should we go to central park now?" Mercedes asked Stevie and Stacie.
"Yes!" The kids chimed together.