A/N: Sorry for the really long wait, but here's the next chapter. I added some context on where the other characters are at the moment just to refresh my memory. Expect more excerpts like that in the next chapters. Thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed this story. Special mention to abbiecarr, I hope you like this chapter! Ü

Chapter 50:
Sam and Mercedes were laying next to each other in a Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Harlowe bed snuggled up to each other. Mercedes turned inside Sam's arms to face him; Sam smiled as he felt Mercedes staring up at him. Mercedes playfully slapped his chest as she got up to get off the bed only to be pulled back in by Sam's strong arms.

"And where do you think you're going?" Sam asked as he wrapped his arms around Mercedes' waist locking her in against his body.
"Sam!" Mercedes protested as she struggled to get Sam to release her.
"Nope, we are staying here!" Sam retorted.
"You know we can't do that, we need to go." Mercedes said as she tried to pry Sam's arms off her waist.
"5 more minutes!" Sam whined as he pouted for full effect.

Mercedes shook her head at Sam's ministrations and kissed his pouting lips. The kiss went deeper and as much as her mind wanted to pull away, Sam drew her in nirvana and couldn't make herself stop. Someone coughed behind Mercedes which made her tense realizing where they were. She quickly pulled away from the kiss and hid her face in Sam's chest.

"I see you've taken interest in our Mitchell Gold – Bob Williams Harlowe bed. This is part of our luxury collection; is currently on sale and can be customized to your preference." A Bloomingdales salesperson highlighted the furniture.
"Did you hear that honey, the bed is on sale; maybe we should get a few just in case we break it!" Sam said amusingly making Mercedes more embarrassed than she already was.
"Sir, retail price of this bed is currently at $4,500 but with the current discount it's only $3,200. But of course that is the basic price, depending on the upholster you would like the price would change."
"What! $3,000 for a bed?" Mercedes quickly turned to the sales person in shock upon hearing the price.

Sam loosened his grip on Mercedes as she moved to look at the salesperson. After a minute of realizing that they were in a ridiculously priced bed, Mercedes stood up from the bed and smoothed out the part that she was previously sitting on. Sam chuckled at the sight of her and soon followed her only to pull her close to him.

"Madam, I assure you that this is an authentic designer bed. You are getting a great deal right now." The salesperson explained.
"Does it recline?" Mercedes asked, earning a confused look from the salesperson.
"I'm sorry I don't understand?" The salesperson asked.
"For that price I expect the bed to recline." Mercedes responded.

Sam couldn't help it and released a hearty laugh at the scene in front of him. Mercedes turned towards Sam and raised a brow as the fool almost fell over laughing. Mercedes had enough and decided to walk away not wanting to further humiliate herself. Sam quickly stopped laughing after realizing that Mercedes was gone and went after his girlfriend. Sam caught up with Mercedes and grabbed hold of her wrist making her stop dead on her tracks.

"I'm sorry! I thought we were playing, but every time you hear how much things cost you just gone up and leave. You're no fun you know that?" Sam said teasingly as he pulled her in for a hug.
"Well we don't really ask for the price when Kurt and I go window shopping and we definitely don't try the furniture out, scared that we might break it. Have you heard of the saying 'You break it, you buy it!'? That's the law with me and Kurt!" Mercedes gently pushed Sam away.
"We didn't break it did we? And in my defence we never asked for the price, they seem to willingly give us the information." Sam crowded her personal space to close the gap.
"Well maybe because only rich people can afford to break things in this store. Do you know that if I were to buy the things I liked in the stores we've been to, that I would have spent close to $50,000? That's ridiculous! You know what I could do with that money? That's at least 2 years worth of rent!" Mercedes stated quite appalled at that bit of information.

Sam pulled Mercedes closer and squeezed the life out of her.

"Sam! Let go, I can't breathe!" Mercedes exclaimed as she tried to push Sam away from her.
"You're just too adorable for your own good. You know most people pretend to go window shopping with unlimited imaginary money, you on the other hand still think of other stuff you can do with that imaginary money. I love you!" Sam kissed her forehead and hugged her again.
"I love you too; you Richie Rich wannabe!" Mercedes smiled against Sam's chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Hey! I refuse to be called that, if anyone's a wannabe it's Richie Rich!" Sam protested smiling at his girlfriend.
"Alright, fine, you're not a wannabe. Why don't we get out of here and head to bed, bath and beyond where I'll feel more at home." Mercedes suggested hoping Sam would agree so they can leave the overpriced store in one piece.
"Ok! Come on let's go, but promise me we'll break something there?" Sam waggled his eyebrows to imply something.
"I promise to let you break... a sweat trying to find me." Mercedes teased as she broke free from Sam's hold and started fast walking out the department store.

Sam smiled as he watched Mercedes' retreating form and soon sprinted to catch up.

Derrick Jones was an honest man who was dealt with more bad luck than good luck in his life. He met his future wife at a very young age and new that she was the one. That very same year his parents died and had to move out west to live with his grandparents. Derrick Jones did his best to finish high school and was happy to be going to college with a football scholarship. His first game in college football and he was injured with their last touchdown attempt. He managed to score the winning touchdown but was told by the doctors that he could never play football again. He lost his scholarship and decided to move back east to find himself a job. There in New York he found a job as a construction worker and met his wife again. This time he didn't want to be away from her and so they eloped to start their own family. Soon his wife was pregnant with their first child, a daughter. He was so ecstatic for their daughter that every night he would finish a part of the nursery wanting it to be perfect by the time she arrived. One day, on his way home he saw a crowd gathering just outside their apartment building. There seem to be a woman lying on the ground, whispers told him it was a hit and run accident. His heart started beating wildly as he got closer to the scene. His worst nightmares came true as he saw the love of his life on the ground struggling to hold on to her life. Derrick Jones quickly reached for his wife's hands and started stroking her head telling her that everything will be alright even if the lies tasted foul in his mouth. His wife cried and apologized to him for not being careful. He hushed her and told her he loved her and that it wasn't her fault. The paramedics were frantically trying to save their unborn child in the middle of the street as tears kept cascading down his face praying to God this was not happening to him. As the new baby cries filled the air, his wife smiled and told him she loves him so much only to take her last breath. Derrick Jones felt numb that day, everything hurt and the only way he could survive is to feel the same numbness he felt at that exact moment.

Chapter 51:
Quinn was curled up in bed with Artie. She cried herself to sleep in Artie's arms not wanting to be alone. Artie tried hard not to judge her as she rambled about incoherent things to him. He knew she needed to tell somebody, but she was far too emotional to make sense. Artie caught familiar names in Quinn's rant, but hearing Sam and Mercedes' name in the mix made him fear that Quinn is in over her head. He needed to find a way to get Quinn out of whatever situation she got herself in to, but he also needed to find a way to make sure his friends are safe. Artie never liked John Fabray; he is devious, cold and a selfish man to say the least. He never trusted him especially with Quinn. He knew John Fabray would be the downfall of his daughter. Artie knew and as much as he tried to make Quinn see, Quinn's far too messed up to realize her self worth. Her parents has beaten her self confidence to microscopic level that whatever confidence she projects outside her home is purely pretend. Artie saw right through her, the others just didn't care enough to look in her eyes to see. Artie gave her hope, Quinn clung to that hope as if it's her only connection to life. She didn't want him to get involved but she had no where else to go. Artie would never hear of it, because whether she wants him to or not, he's already far in to deep to walk away from her.

Lauren was running late for her shift at the restaurant all thanks to Mr. Grabby hands a.k.a Noah Puckerman. Puck was smitten the moment he laid his eyes on Lauren and knew that he has to make her his. Lauren loved the the sexing they do, but knew that she couldn't commit to anything long term than a casual thing. Days after their 1st night Puck was already asking her to move in with him seeing as she's always in his apartment anyway. Lauren still hasn't agreed to move in with Puck but things didn't change much when she decided not to take Puck's offer. So here she was again, Puck's apartment trying to rush to work as her beau tried to distract her in to staying in bed with him.

"You know you can't resist the puck-a-saurus' charm! Just call in sick and we'll play doctor all day." Puck tried to act cooly as he grabbed Lauren's waist and turned her to face him with lightning speed.
"Get your hands off from me! I love our sexy time Noah but going at it 24/7 is humanly impossible. Give it a rest and go... do some work." Lauren pushed Puck away from her and continued getting ready.
"I do work, I work too damn hard that's why I need some release. Oh baby don't you want me?" Puck tried another approach, anything to get his woman to stay.

Lauren shook her head as she gathered her bag ready to leave.

"I love you and all, but damn boy I think you just want me to poop babies all day in your house." Puck froze as soon as he heard those three little words.

Lauren caught her mistake as soon as she saw Puck's shock melt in to a mischievous grin.

"I love you too!" Puck replied as he wrapped his arms on Lauren's waist as he tried to lean into a kiss.

Lauren placed her hands on Puck's chest to stop his ministration as she tried to figure out how to get out of this predicament. Lauren knew that unconsciously she was falling for Puck hard and fast, but she wasn't ready for what comes after uttering those words. It came out unexpectedly, but even if it was too fast the words didn't mean any less to her. She just needed damage control, she doesn't want to hope for things especially with Puck. She knew the man could do so much better even when she keeps telling him she's the best, but other than confident, Lauren is a realist and reality is telling her Puck could take his pick. Puck looked at Lauren confused at why she's stopping him.

"Anything wrong?" Puck asked.
"I need to go to work. I'll see you tomorrow!" Lauren replied as she got out of Puck's grasp.
"Tomorrow? I'll see you later, obviously we need to talk about this." Puck demanded feeling Lauren's apprehension to address what just happened.
"I can't right now Puck, I need my own space tonight. I promise we'll take tomorrow, please." Lauren pleaded with Puck.
"I'll give you space but don't run away from me. We'll pretend that you never said you love me and just continue like nothing happened until you're ready to admit it to yourself." Puck explained as he rubbed Lauren's arms to let her know he won't push it further.

Lauren just couldn't help but feel touched with Puck's words as tears threatened to fall. A smile finally crept on her face as she watched Puck's sincerity.

"Fuck it! I'm calling in sick today, I need Dr. Puck's TLC!" Lauren threw her bag to the side as she crashed her lips to Puck's and quickly walked back to his bed.

Mercedes arrived at the restaurant in the afternoon to work the dinner service. Having Lauren call in sick made the restaurant shorthanded and so her day with Sam was cut short. Sam protested and demanded that she decline the request, but she insisted she needed the additional shift to start replenishing her diminishing funds. Sam knew better than to tempt Mercedes to turn her back on her principles by offering his money as a solution, so Sam gave in and offered to drop her off at the restaurant.

"Hola chica! You left really early this morning, we didn't even get to have breakfast together." Santana greeted Mercedes as soon as she saw her.
"I told you I had an early meeting with the landlord. By the way, I'm glad to say I'm officially an apartment tenant!" Mercedes announced excitedly.
"Congratulations! When's the housewarming?" Tina interjected as she heard the entire conversation.
"Hey! Stop eavesdropping on other people's conversation!" Santana reprimanded the asian girl.
"I didn't know it was private, you were talking so loud people outside would think they're part of the conversation too!" Tina stuck out her tongue at Santana before hugging Mercedes.
"Descarada!" Santana rolled her eyes as she left to check on her tables.
"It's probably her time of the month!" Tina shrugged.
"That explains her more than usual hostility!" Mercedes joked and the two laughed.

Tina soon left to attend to the new occupants of her table while Mercedes did the same for hers.

During Mercedes' 10 minute break, Santana caught up with her at the kitchen as she waited for the dishes to come out.

"I never got to ask, when are you planning on taking gigs again? It's been a while Aretha, it'll be a shame if people don't gets to hear you sang!" Santana preached which made Mercedes laugh.
"Girl you and your opinions. I've been wanting to go back, but there's none out there right now. I've tried calling my usual but they told me that they've already booked their acts for the next few months. They told be to try again in a couple of months or that they will call me if anyone cancels. The music business is hard, you're gone for a minute then nobody remembers you." Mercedes sighed as she recounted the number of times she tried to look for gigs.
"Chica I say screw them. If they've forgotten you already then they haven't been paying attention at all. I say ask the jolly green giant..." Mercedes raised a brow at Santana which made her pause.
"I mean Finn..." Santana waited for Mercedes' approval before continuing.
"That's better! Finn is a great guy so don't insult him behind his back." Mercedes gestured for Santana to continue.
"So you're saying I can insult him in person?" Santana needed to ask because what she's hearing is totally different from what Mercedes probably meant.
"Tana!" Mercedes reprimanded.
"What? Doesn't hurt to ask. Anyway, what I was trying to say is ask Finn if he can get you a gig at that launch party. I'm sure they can pull a few strings and you never know, a room full of music executives, you singing, BAM recording contract!" Santana crashed her hands together for full effect.
"I like how you think Tana!" Mercedes giggled at her friend's antics.
"Alls I'm saying is don't give up, you haven't tried everything, so until you do then we'll think of something else." Santana leaned in to hug Mercedes.
"Thanks girl, I needed that." Mercedes squeezed her friend to let her know how much she appreciate it.

As soon as Sam dropped Mercedes at the restaurant, he told the driver to make a detour before heading home. Sam was on the phone making arrangements to meet the man he was talking to and after they hang up called Rachel.

Rachel was drapped over Finn's body as they watched Funny Girl on DVD. Finn was trying hard to keep himself awake not wanting to fall asleep like the last time he tried to watch the musical. Rachel seem to love her Barbara Streisand and Finn is willing to try for the sake of their budding relationship. Rachel smiled as she relished in the moment of having a wonderful guy with her while watching her favorite movie. Her smile soon turned into a scowl as she heard her work phone ring. There is only one person who is insensitive enough to call her on a Sunday and she thought being with his girlfriend on weekends would render her assistance unneeded.

"Sam! Why are you calling me on a Sunday? This better be important!" Rachel answered clearly not happy about being interrupted.
"It is and you should know that by now. I would only take my attention away from Mercedes if she's at work, which she is that's why I need you to do something for me." Sam explained at the irate woman on the other line.
"Fine! What do you want me to do?" Rachel asked lowering her tone a few decibels.
"I need you to get a hold of the bank and transfer some money on this account number..." Sam proceeded to give Rachel instructions over the phone.

Sam had a list for Rachel to do, despite the short window she had Sam knew Rachel would get it done and done fast. She has never failed him and that is the very reason she is the best assistant he's ever worked with. Sam is dreading the day that Rachel would have to move up the corporate ladder and he knew it'll be sometime in the very near future. But for now he is lucky to have a very competent assistant.

"I'll have everything done within the hour. I will let you know as soon as the funds has been transferred and send you the list of contractors for the renovation tomorrow. Is there anything else?" Rachel iterated.
"Perfect! Nope that is all. Thanks Rachel, you're the best!" Sam thanked Rachel profusely.
"I know I am! I better get this started. I'll touch base with you in an hour!" Rachel beamed as she ended the call.

Rachel looked over to Finn and shook her head as he fell asleep again.

Chapter 52:
Mercedes has been going back and forth to her apartment trying to clean as much as she can for an hour two as she got the place ready for moving in. Mercedes would always greet the landlord on the way to her apartment and would fish information about the new tenants next door to hers. Mr. Brant would shrug and tell her he doesn't know much about the new tenants only that they were highly referred. Mercedes knew something was off but never pushed the landlord further. Sam would meet her at the apartment and help out with the cleaning. Although she thought he was more of a distraction than help, she thought she was the luckiest person to have such a thoughtful and caring boyfriend. Sam would disappear once in a while probably roaming the apartment building but Mercedes welcomed those moments to get her cleaning done. Sam would be back with snacks by the time his presence have been missed and the two would admire how much worked they've done to get Mercedes' apartment ready for her to move in. Sam would look at Mercedes in awe as she lit up while describing where she would put her furniture. He loved how the little things makes her happy. She loved how supportive Sam is of her decisions. The two sat in the middle of the room enjoying their snacks, as soon as they were done it is time to go.

"Our regulars has been asking for her for a while now. We're losing business because of this blackout you're doing." The club manager reasoned with the men in front of him.

"We have orders to shut your establishment down if you try to book Mercedes Jones in your club. You don't want to anger our boss or you will know the price." One of the men answered in a monotone manner.
"How long will this ban last? She is a star on the rising you know, if people start demanding we have no choice but to give them what they want." The club manager explained to the men.
"Believe us, she won't matter for long." The men soon left as the words lingered to the club manager.

Mercedes finally moved in to her apartment after having the furnitures she bought at the Salvation Army delivered a couple of days ago. Kurt helped to rearrange her furniture, while Sam helped her move her things from Blaine's apartment. The two were now enjoying a celebratory drink on her 'new' couch, leg tangled with each other as they look at what they've accomplished today.

"Congratulations Miss Jones, you've officially moved in to your apartment." Sam raised his glass to Mercedes.
"Thank you Mr. Evans, I believe I have!" Mercedes tapped her glass with Sam's as they both drank to their toast.
"So what are your plans for the evening?" Sam asked as he put his glass down on the coffee table.
"I honestly don't know. Is it weird to not want to be alone in my own apartment? I mean I love having my own space but I'm afraid I'd start crying once you leave." Mercedes responded not wanting to look at Sam in case he thought she was being ridiculous.
"Who said I'm leaving?" Sam teased.
"Uh me? You are going home tonight Mr. Evans because I need to experience being alone in my own apartment." Mercedes playfully poked Sam's chest as she responded.
"But you just said you might cry when I leave." Sam pouted.
"Operative word being might! We never know, I might enjoy living alone and never come out of my apartment." Mercedes teased as she placed a chaste kiss on Sam's pouting lips.

Sam moved with Mercedes' lips as soon as it touched his. He was left unsatisfied as the kiss quickly ended and pulled her in for a deeper kiss. Mercedes could feel herself going all warm as Sam was making it hard for her to throw him out of her apartment to try and see how it feels to finally live alone by herself. Mercedes moved her lips away from Sam's but that only made Sam attack her chin then her neck.

"Sam!" Mercedes moaned his name instead of getting his attention.
"Yes baby?" Sam purred as he continued to assault her neck and every exposed skin he could find.

Sam's lips on her neck and shoulder were sending shivers down her spine. She could feel herself throbbing and was afraid she'll lose the battle. Mercedes' hands were in Sam's hair as he kissed and licked her skin. Sam wasn't faring well himself, he promised to respect whatever Mercedes' decision is but if she refuse him now it'll take more than a cold shower to take care of his situation.

"Sam we need to stop. Please baby I want you but not today." Mercedes gently pushed Sam away and immediately felt guilty as she saw Sam's disheveled look.

Sam grabbed Mercedes and made her straddle him on her couch. He held her close just wanting to feel his body close to hers. Mercedes could feel Sam's obvious arousal through her thin leggings and was afraid to admit that she wanted the barriers out of the way. She made Sam look at her and then peppered his face with kisses.

"Alright I'm going!" Sam laughed as Mercedes continue to kiss every inch of his face.
"You better because I might have to drag you to my bedroom if you stay any longer." Mercedes teased.
"Would that be so bad?" Sam raised an eyebrow at Mercedes.
"Yes it is! You are tempting me and temptation is bad!" Mercedes ran a finger down Sam's chest.
"You're such a tease Ms. Jones!" Sam slapped Mercedes' behind and pushed her to the side.
"You love me anyway!" Mercedes taunted Sam.
"That I do!" Sam leaned for one more kiss before prying himself away from Mercedes.

Mercedes walked Sam to the door and kissed each other some more before finding his way across the threshold.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" Sam said as Mercedes slowly closed her door.
"I'll see you tomorrow! Drive safe." Mercedes clung to the door as she smiled at Sam.
"I will, sleep well Mercy. Call me if you need anything!" Sam added.
"I know! Sleep well Sam, I'll dream of you tonight." Mercedes replied.
"Arrgghhh, don't say things like that!" Sam groaned.

Mercedes chuckled at Sam's reaction.

"Fine I won't dream of you tonight, I think I'll dream of someone equally blonde and even more sexier." Mercedes teased.
"Now you're talking crazy! We both know there is no one sexier than me." Sam boasted.
"Yeah you're right, I guess I'll settle for someone non-blonde and less sexier than you." Mercedes smirked as she caught Sam's surprised expression.
"You better not be cheating on me in your dreams or else I'll make sure I'm imprinted in your mind 24/7." Sam challenged.
"We won't get anywhere with this banter. Go home Sam, I'll only think of you I promise." Mercedes caressed Sam's face from the other side of the door afraid that she would let him back in if it wasn't between them.
"I love you so much baby!" Sam professed as he kissed her palm.
"I love you too!" Mercedes pulled her hand and slowly closed the door.

Sam quickly heard the locks from the other side and smiled thinking that he had that effect on her.

Sam walked away from Mercedes' door and fished his keys out of his pocket. He stopped mid-step towards the door next to Mercedes' apartment as he felt his phone vibrate. He immediately looked at his incoming message and grinned as he saw Mercedes' name.

Let me know when you get home. I love you! :)

Sam placed the key in the groove of the lock to open the door. Once he stepped inside the apartment next door he started typing a reply to Mercedes.

I'm home! I love you too! :)