Hello lovely readers! So I decided to add another chapter to this. I may add more over time, so we'll see.
Writing has been a joyous past time for me with everything that is going on in the world right now. So I really hope you all enjoy this!
Mercedes let out a contented sigh, stretching her limbs, as she listened to the birds chirping outside the bedroom window. Her eyes were still closed, but she could feel a pair of eyes on her and smirked.
"How many times have I told you that watching me sleep is weird, Evans?" She kept her eyes closed, but smiled when her husband let out a deep laugh.
"I can't help it. You're just so cute when you sleep." Sam told her. "Besides, I haven't gotten to do this in over a year, so give me a break."
Mercedes opened her eyes, blinking a couple times to clear her vision before looking at Sam. "Fine, I'll let it slide this time, but only because I missed you so much." So much so that she was happy he was here to be able to watch her sleep.
Sam smiled, looking down at his wife, with his head propped up on his hand. "I could watch you all day, and never get tired of seeing that beautiful face."
"Even when I'm old and gray?" She hummed, burying herself deeper under the covers.
Sam let out a puff of air at how cute she looked. He reached out, rubbing a hand up and down her back. "Even when you're old and gray, baby. You'll always be the most beautiful thing in the world to me." He bent down, placing a kiss to her forehead, and Mercedes sighed again. She was so glad he was back home.
"Mmm, what time is it?" It was barely daylight outside from the small sliver of blue light that showed through the curtains. Sam checked the time on the clock atop the night stand.
"6:10"
"How long have you been up?"
"Since 5:30"
"Good ole military time." Mercedes mumbled. "The kids will be asleep for another two hours give or take."
She had her eyes closed again, and Sam watched his girl, gently running his index finger along her cheek. He knew she was probably up earlier than normal due to him being back, so Sam gave her another quick kiss, whispering for her to get another hour or two of sleep. He moved to get out of bed, but Mercedes let out a quiet whine, grabbing his hand.
"Noo, Sammy, stay." She opened her eyes. "Could you just hold me? I've missed that the most."
Sam's eyes softened at his wife's confession. He got back in bed, getting comfortable with an arm around Mercedes as she put her head on his strong chest, wrapping an arm across his stomach. She placed a kiss in the crook of his neck before closing her eyes again and falling back asleep.
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About an hour and a half later, a small knock sounded at Sam and Mercedes bedroom door. Both parents jerked awake at the sound. Mercedes sat up first, stretching some more as she got out of bed and headed to the door. She opened it, smiling down at her little girl.
"Good morning, Sisi." Mercedes bent down, placing a kiss to her cheek.
Sierra rubbed her eyes before looking up at her mother. "Hi Mommy, where's Daddy?"
Mercedes opened the door a bit wider after Sam had time to put on some sweatpants. Sierra sauntered over to her father, wrapping her arms around his legs, clinging to him as she looked up.
"Hi Daddy"
"Good morning, sweet pea. How did you sleep?" Sam ran a hand over her forehead, smiling at her.
"Good. How did you sleep?"
Sam kneeled down so he was eye level with his little girl. "Wanna know a secret?" He asked, and Sierra looked back at him with wide eyes, nodding. "Last night, I had the best sleep I've had in a long time." He told her quietly.
"Was it cuz you were with Mommy?" She 'whispered' back.
Sam looked over at his wife who was putting on a pair of yoga pants after coming from the bathroom. He looked back down at his daughter, answering her question.
"Yeah, your mommy gives the best cuddles." He told her, and Sierra smiled.
"Mommy does give the best cuddles. I love them so much!" She stated excitedly, bouncing a little.
Mercedes smiled at the two, hearing the last bit of their conversation. Sierra leaned over, whispering something in her dad's ear, and Sam smiled, nodding.
At that moment, Mason made himself known as he started whining from the other room. Mercedes left the master bedroom, making her way down the hall to her baby boy's room. He was standing up in his crib, and smiled as soon as he saw his mom, reaching his little arms out to her. Mercedes smiled back as she picked the little boy up, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey baby love. How did you sleep,hmm?" She asked, running a hand over his back and checking his diaper that was still dry. He mumbled something that Mercedes couldn't quite understand as it was a mix between baby talk and real words.
Sam and Sierra made their way to the room, standing in the doorway. "Sweet pea and I are making you breakfast this morning, Mommy."
Upon hearing his dad's voice, Mason lifted his head from his mom's shoulder, reaching for him. "Dada"
Sam smiled, meeting them halfway, taking his son in his arms, kissing his head and running a hand over the boy's unruly curls. "Good morning, bud. Are you gonna help your sister and I cook for Mommy?"
Mason nodded his head against Sam's shoulder, and the four left the room, making their way downstairs and into the kitchen.
"What do you want for breakfast Mommy?" Sierra asked as she stood in front of the refrigerator. Mercedes thought about it for a few seconds, crossing her arms and tapping her chin with her pointer finger.
"Well, I do love blueberry pancakes." Sierra gasped, clapping her hands.
"Me too, me too!"
Sam let out a light laugh, placing Mason in his high chair before moving to grab a couple pans and utensils out of the cabinets. "Blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs coming right up."
Sam and Sierra made breakfast with little Mason 'helping' by 'taste testing' the blueberries Sam placed in a bowl for him. Mercedes sat in the living room, watching the news, giving the kids some time with their dad. She smiled, hearing them giggle in the other room.
"You have to make the eggs extra cheesy, Daddy." Sierra stated, standing on her step stool so she could see over the counter.
Sam looked down at her before grabbing the bag of shredded cheddar cheese, opening it and sitting it down in front of Sierra. "Alright, sweet pea, you do the honors. Put as much cheese in as you want."
Sierra stuck her hand in the bag, grabbing a handful of cheese and dumping the clump in the pan where the eggs were cooking. She did it again, and Sam held back a laugh as he used a spatula to spread the contents evenly throughout the pan.
"Cheese!" Mason yelled from his spot not too far away. Sierra nodded at her brother, turning to grab another handful of cheese.
"Mace is right, Daddy. We need more cheese." Sam let her put in the third handful of cheese before taking the bag away, putting it back in the fridge, cleaning up as they went.
A little while later, breakfast was cooked, and Sam helped Sierra make a plate for her mom, letting the little girl take the plate to Mercedes at the table.
"Here you go Mommy. I made the eggs with extra cheese just how you like them, and Daddy made a heart in the top pancake with blueberries for you." The little girl told her sweetly.
"Thank you baby girl." Mercedes smiled as Sam brought over a cup of coffee and some syrup. She whispered a thank you to her husband, who in turn whispered I love you, giving her a quick peck on the lips.
Sam made plates for the kids before sitting down to eat as well. Sierra asked her parents what they were going to do today. Both parents looked at each other stating how lazy Sundays were the best Sundays, letting the little girl know she could pick out some movies for them to watch.
After breakfast, most of the day was spent taking it easy as the kids played and watched movies with their parents. Later that evening, they all got dressed and ready to head over to Sam's parent's house for dinner. Stevie and Stacy didn't know Sam was back yet as their parents wanted to surprise them.
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When they pulled up to the older Evan's household, Mercedes parked the SUV, turning to Sam, telling him to stay in the car before turning around to look at her daughter.
"Remember what I told you Sisi?"
Sierra nodded, unbuckling her seatbelt, and scooting forward in her booster seat. "Pretend like Daddy isn't here 'til Uncle Stevie and Auntie Stace see him."
Mercedes nodded as she got out of the car, moving to help Mason and Sierra out. They walked up the driveway and through the garage entrance like always greeting Mary and Dwight.
A seventeen year old Stevie and fifteen year old Stacy made their way downstairs from their bedrooms as they heard them come in. Once Sierra saw her aunt, she went straight to her, with the older girl picking her up for a hug. "Hi Sisi"
"Hi Auntie Stace. Can you paint my nails again like you did last time?" She asked, and Stacy nodded letting her niece know she would paint her nails after dinner.
Mercedes came up, giving each of her in laws a hug. "Hey Stevie, Stace could you two go get a few things out of the car for me?" She asked, trying to keep a straight face, not wanting to give the surprise away. The siblings nodded as they both made their way outside to Mercedes' SUV, going straight to the trunk. Stevie opened it up, and both teens looked confused, not seeing anything there.
"Cede, there's nothing in here!" Stevie yelled, so she could hear him from the garage. He moved to close the trunk just as Sam popped his head up from his spot in the passenger's seat.
"You sure about that little brother?" At the sound of the familiar voice, both siblings froze, looking up to the front, seeing a mess of blonde hair and green eyes looking at them from the rearview mirror.
Stacy let out an excited gasp as shock left her and realization hit. "Sammy you're home!" She quickly ran around to the front as Sam got out of the car, tackling her oldest brother in a hug. Sam picked his little sister up, spinning her around, causing her to let out a small laugh mixed with a sob.
"Don't cry Stace." Sam placed her back on the ground, kissing her forehead before he was met with another hug from Stevie.
"Missed you big brother." Stevie told him. They gave each other one last squeeze before letting go. Sam held his brother at arm's length, giving him a once over. Stevie had grown about four or five inches and gained some more muscle since he'd last seen him, making then the same height now.
"You look good little brother." Sam gave the younger man a pat on the back.
Stacy cleared her throat. "Um, hello, what about me?"
"You look beautiful as always, Stace." The older blonde stated, putting an arm around each of their shoulders. "This one on the other hand was hideous when I left."
"Shut up" Stevie shoved him, and Stacy let out a laugh.
The trio made their way up the driveway and into the house as their dad called out, letting them know dinner was ready.
xxxxxxx
The family talked and ate, catching up on everything. When dinner and dessert was done, everyone broke off into their little groups. Stacy had taken Sierra up to her room to do the little girl's nails as promised. While the boys went into the den to talk about football with Stevie's next game coming up, leaving Mercedes and Mary to finish putting leftovers away.
"How are you feelin', sweet girl?" Mary asked her daughter in law as the younger woman put the remaining strawberry cheesecake in the fridge. Mercedes leaned against the counter, and Mary did the same across from her.
"I'm good. Just glad he's home...we all are." Mary nodded, knowing exactly what she meant. She was happy her sweet boy was home safe and sound.
"Well, if you ever need us to take those darlin' grandbabies of mine for the weekend, just let us know, okay. I know you and Sam could use some much needed alone time."
Mercedes nodded as she thought about taking Mary up on that offer. The two women finished cleaning up, and talking before joining the rest of the family.
So there you go, another little clip of Samcedes life with kids. Hope you like it. A big thank you to all who added this story to your favorites and alerts and all who have left reviews! I absolutely love reading your thoughts. Thank you so much!