Hello lovely readers! Back again with an update for you.
Thank you to all who added this story to your favorites and alerts since last chapter. You guys are awesome, and I'm happy to share this story with you.
I hope you enjoy the chapter!
6 Years Ago
"So what made you finally ask me out on a date Officer Evans?" Mercedes inquired as she took a sip of her water, eying Sam from across the table. The two were in one of the nicest restaurants she had ever been to. One that you definitely had to have reservations for to get into. And though Mercedes was flattered, she would have been just as happy to go grab a hotdog or burger and fries as long as she got to spend more time with the gorgeous man in front of her.
Sam looked up from trying to read the menu. He hadn't expected everything to be in French. He should've just gone with Italian. He knew the language, and the food was always good. Sam didn't know why he felt the need to impress the woman in front of him so badly. Actually, he did know why, but at the moment, he was trying not to overthink things, which he had kind of already done with choosing this restaurant. "I asked you out because I figured we should get to know each other outside of me coming to your place of work just to see you...and I really like you if you haven't already guessed."
Sam couldn't help but blush as blood filled his cheeks at his own confession. He wiped his sweaty palms on the black dress pants he was wearing. Mercedes smiled at his words, looking down at her menu again. Nothing was in English, and she doubted her date spoke French any more than she did. She couldn't help the light giggle that escaped her mouth.
"What's funny?" Sam eyed her curiously, unable to stop the small smile that appeared on his face at hearing her laugh.
Mercedes shook her head, containing her laughter before speaking. "Do you speak French, Sam?" The blonde shook his head in the negative as his blush deepened to a dark red. Mercedes continued to smile as she thought for a moment. "Wanna go grab a hotdog and take a walk instead?" Their waiter hadn't come back yet to take their order, so now was as good a time as any to make their escape.
"I'm down." Sam told her, relaxing a bit. The two stood up, grabbing their things and heading out of the restaurant. They walked a few blocks before stopping at a food truck and ordering a couple hot dogs and drinks. Sam paid for their food, and Mercedes stated how this was better than him paying a hundred dollars for stuff they had no idea they were ordering.
"I'm a simple girl, Evans. You don't have to take me anywhere fancy to impress me. I already like you, you know." Mercedes nudged Sam in his side as they made their way across the street into Central Park. There was still a good amount of light outside with the sun just starting to set. The couple occupied one of the benches as they ate their meal and talked.
"Okay Evans" Mercedes started, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she finished her food. "What's the first thing you noticed about me that you like. And don't say my ass! I get that all the time."
Sam couldn't help the laugh that came, putting his drink down and turning to face her completely. "Actually, I was going to say your smile. You have a really beautiful smile. Though your ass is in my top five, top three, even."
Mercedes laughed as well. The wind blew lightly around them, blowing a few stray pieces of Mercedes' hair out of the low, wavy ponytail she had. Sam reached up, smoothing her hair behind her ear gently. They locked eyes for a few moments, and Mercedes couldn't help but notice how the angle of the remaining sunlight made the green of Sam's eyes sparkle brighter.
"What's the first thing you noticed about me?" Sam softly asked. The golden hue of the sun bounced off of Mercedes brown skin, and at that moment, all he could think about was how radiant the woman in front of him looked.
"Your eyes" She whispered. "You have gorgeous eyes, and that's the first thing I noticed besides the obvious."
"What's the obvious?" The blonde smirked already knowing the answer. He just wanted to hear her say it aloud.
Mercedes humored him. "Don't act like you don't know, Evans. You in your police uniform. Mm mm mm...those abs...that ass."
"I knew you only wanted me for my body." Sam joked, causing Mercedes to laugh heartily. His smile grew as he watched her.
Sam quickly stood up, tossing their trash in the bin next to the bench, and moving to stand in front of Mercedes, holding his hand out to her. "Come with me. I wanna show you something."
Placing her hand in his, Mercedes stood up, letting Sam lead them through the park to their destination. She looked down at their joined hands as a feeling of warmth passed through her. She felt toasty inside like she did as a child whenever it was her birthday or Christmas morning.
They walked for a good five minutes, until they reached the fountain Sam had been leading them to. The Bethesda Fountain was beautiful with the sound of rushing water flowing through it, giving them both a sense of peace.
"My grandfather would bring my cousin, Hunter, and I here all the time when we were kids. He'd give us a coin and let us make a wish." Sam pulled out his wallet, taking out two coins from the bit of change he had, and handed one to Mercedes.
"Did any of your wishes ever come true?" She questioned, looking up at him. He nodded, twirling the silver coin between his fingers.
"They did sometimes." Sam smiled thinking about his grandfather. The older man had passed away a year prior. He didn't know about Hunter, but every now and then, Sam would come by and toss a coin in the fountain, silently making a wish. "Alright, turn around."
The blonde motioned with his hand for Mercedes to turn around as he did the same. Mercedes did as she was told, instinctively closing her eyes and biting her bottom lip in anticipation. Sam looked down at her for a second, thinking about how cute she looked in that moment. He turned straight ahead, closing his own eyes. "On three, make a wish." He counted aloud to three, and they each tossed their coins over their shoulders into the fountain.
After, Mercedes opened her eyes bouncing excitedly, turning to Sam who looked at her in return. "What'd you wish for?" Her wide brown eyes anticipating his response.
"Well, I can't tell you, or it won't come true." He reasoned as they started walking again. Mercedes fell into step alongside Sam, grabbing his hand in hers this time.
"Aww come on Sammy." She playfully pouted. "If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine." Sam smiled at the nickname and the fact that Mercedes initiated their hand holding this time.
"How about I give you a hint?" He lifted an eyebrow in question. She shrugged thinking about it as she played with his fingers. For Mercedes, this didn't feel like a first date to her. She'd been on her fair share of dates, but none of those guys gave her butterflies in her stomach like Sam did, and he hadn't even kissed her yet.
"Yeah, Evans, I'll take the hint."
"Okay, well, my wish included you, so it's kind of a wish for both of us." Sam confessed, swinging their linked hands back and forth.
Mercedes eyes brightened."Mine included you too. It was a wish for both of us."
"Copycat" Sam teased, playfully getting another laugh out of her. "Tell you what, if our wishes don't come true in seven years, we'll come back to the fountain and tear it down."
"Pretty sure that's illegal, Officer Evans. You of all people should know." He let out a huff of air. "But I agree, if our wishes dont come true, we'll come back and destroy the damn thing. Pinky promise." Mercedes held up her smallest finger, and Sam smiled linking his pinky with her with hers.
"Pinky promise" Sam agreed as they came up to an ice cream stand. They each got their favorite and continued to walk and talk.
xxxxxxx
Present Day
Mercedes Nichelle Jones would you stand still! I'm gonna end up pricking you if you don't!" Kurt exclaimed, sticking another pin in her wedding dress. The divo, being the fabulous designer that he was, had designed his best friend's wedding dress along with the bridesmaid's dresses and the boys' suits. Kurt's boutique was taking off after three years, and he could finally afford to hire an assistant and the seamstresses he needed to bring all his designs to life.
"I can't help it, this dress is itchy! And I kinda have to pee…" Mercedes admitted as she continued squirming. Kurt rolled his eyes letting out an exasperated sigh.
"The dress is itchy because I haven't put the lining in yet. You said you wanted lace Cede, and that's what I'm giving you... And why didn't you pee before putting this dress on?"
"Because I didn't have to go then, but I really need to go now." Mercedes whined, bouncing up and down. Kurt shook his head stepping back.
"Go ahead, but don't mess up your dress." He turned to Tina who was in the room as well asking her to help their bestie relieve herself without ruining her dress. The Asian woman nodded following Mercedes to the bathroom.
"Why am I here again?" Sebastian questioned watching the two women leave the room. He stood up from his place in one of the fancy lavender chairs in the fitting area. "This is the gayest thing I think I have ever done in all my twenty-seven years of living." The taller man stated, finishing the champagne from the flute Tina hadnt touched.
Kurt huffed going over to the small table in the corner with his sewing supplies as he found more pins, sticking them in the red and black pin cushion around his wrist. "So sticking you penis in another man's asshole isn't gay enough for you.?" Kurt retorted not missing a beat.
Sebastian lifted an eyebrow, smirking. "Touché" He moved standing next to the other man, fiddling with the thread he'd picked up off the table. "Is this gonna take long? I actually have a day date?"
Kurt stopped what he was doing, eying the other man with a questioning look. "What the hell is a day date?"
This time it was Sebastian's turn to roll his eyes. "Look Hummel, I know Blaine is the only man you've ever had tickle your pickle, but a day date is when you go out with someone during daylight hours."
"You know what Seb-"
"Okay, I feel so much better now Kurty!" I'll be still the rest of the time, I promise." Mercedes announced taking a sip of her champagne before moving back to stand on the pedestal. Kurt nodded, and advised Sebastian he was here so he could be fitted for his suit since he was part of the wedding party.
Tina took a seat in her chair, again, opening the bottle of water she had and taking several large gulps. The other three turned to her as the crackling of the plastic bottle echoed through the room. "What?" She questioned innocently as she put the top back on the bottle, placing it back on the table beside her.
"Someone's thirsty" Sebastian mumbled, smoothing out his shirt and taking a seat in the chair beside her. Tina shrugged, fumbling with her purse as she searched for a piece of gum. The trio still had their eyes planted on her, making her flushed as she moved everything around in her bag not finding what she was looking for.
"Are you okay, T?" Mercedes questioned stepping down from the pedestal and making her way to the other woman.
"I'm fine. I-I…" She sighed giving up her search and looking up at her three friends. Each had a look of concern on their face. Well, Sebastian looked more nonchalant than anything, but deep down he was concerned for her. "I think I might be pregnant." Tina told them quietly.
"Oh shit-"
"Dear God in heaven-"
"Have you taken a test yet?" Mercedes questioned side eying both men for their choice of words. Tina shook her head no, quickly wiping away the tears that began to fall. Mercedes rubbed her back in a soothing manner trying to calm her.
"Have you told Mike?" Kurt asked kneeling down in front of her.
"N-no" She spoke between a sniffle. "I want to be sure before I tell him. There's no need in alarming him if it's nothing." Tina stated wiping her eyes. Sebastian handed her a couple Kleenex, horrified as she almost wiped her nose with her hand. He didn't do well with people crying. One thing he absolutely hated was germs getting where they had no business being. Tina finished having her cry feeling a bit better.
"As soon as we're done here, we'll go get a few pregnancy tests, and you can take them, okay." Mercedes told her friend, kissing the top of her head. Kurt patted her knee, standing up and giving Sebastian an odd look as the other man awkwardly gave Tina, what he assumed was supposed to be a comforting pat on the back.
"Alright, enough with the emotional heart to heart. This is making me queasy." Sebastian poured himself another flute full of champagne before quickly downing it. He didn't do emotions, and Mercedes and Tina giggled at his discomfort. The Asian woman wiped her eyes one las time as they all got back to what they were doing.
After Kurt was done with Mercedes, he moved on to Tina as she tried on what would be the bridesmaid's dress. "Oh my god, if you're actually pregnant, you'll be like eight months along when the wedding comes around!"
Tina's eyes widened, not having thought about that. "I'm gonna be fat at your wedding Cede! It'll ruin all the pictures!" She shrieked. Kurt stopped his actions, not wanting to stab her with any pins as she sobbed. He wrapped her up in a strong hug. Mercedes shook her head at her friend. Tina was always emotional, so she couldn't tell if this was brought on by her actually being pregnant or just being her regular emotional self.
Moving to join their hug, having already changed back into her regular clothes, Mercedes grabbed the other woman letting her cry into her shoulder still crying.
"Oh for the love of everything holy! I thought we were done with the emotional stuff! You guys know emotions make me literally feel ill. You know that, right?" Sebastian stated standing a distance away from. The other three with wide eyes.
"Oh come on Seb." Mercedes laughed smiling at her friend and grabbing him to pull him into the hug. "You know you love us."
The taller man quickly hugged them back for a few seconds. "Yeah, you guys are okay in my book. Love might be a bit too strong of a word though." He gave a smile before stepping away.
The front door to the boutique opened, and a delivery boy made his way to the front counter talking to one of the clerks. "Delivery for a Miss Mercedes Jones."
Mercedes turned at the sound of her name as Amanda, the clerk, pointed in her direction. The delivery boy made his way towards the four as they separated.
"Mercedes Jones?" The young man asked. He had a bouquet of Mango Calla Lilies. They were her favorite. She nodded confirming she was who he was looking for and he gave her the bouquet. Mercedes thanked him, and he nodded before leaving to make the rest of his deliveries.
"Looks like Sam is pulling out all the stops." Kurt spoke leaning over her shoulder, encouraging her to read the card that was sticking out of the bouquet. Mercedes smelled the flowers, smiling as she grabbed the small card reading the note.
Beautiful flowers for the most beautiful girl in the world. We belong together, bella.
Forever Yours
Mercedes smiled brightly thinking about her love. Kurt and Tina awed as they read the note over her shoulder, and Sebastian rolled his eyes at their antics. He seriously to get less emotional friends.
After another hour and a half, Kurt had finished fitting everyone for their respective wedding attire. The four decided to have lunch together after going to the drug store for Tina. They walked the few blocks from the drug store to Alonzo's Pizzeria.
On the opposite side of the street, stood the man with the electric blue eyes watching the four friends intensely as they laughed at whatever ridiculous joke the taller man had told. She was always so beautiful when she smiled. She belonged with him, and the time was coming for him to make sure she knew that.
xxxxxxx
"Kitty Wilde, twenty four years old and best friend to Brianna Thompson. She's a PA for Stephanie Chase, the fashion designer. But every other weekend or so, she works as a cocktail waitress at The Lounge, which is also where Brianna worked." Mike informed informed reading the young woman's profile.
Mike and Sam were currently parked in front of Lenova, the large fashion company where Kitty worked as a personal assistant to the owner. After doing some research, the two had found where she worked since she wasn't at her home address when they'd initially gone to speak with her. Sam and Mike got out of their patrol car, heading into the large building, and checking the directory before entering the elevator and heading up to the 35th floor.
"You know what both victims have in common?" Sam questioned as it dawned on him. There was only one other person in the elevator at the moment, and the older woman was talking on her cellphone not pay them any mind. "They're both women of color."
"And they're both waitresses." They stated in unison. The woman exited the elevator on the 23rd floor leaving just the two of them.
"We still don't really know what his motive is, but there's definitely a pattern." Mike spoke trying to think of anything else obvious that was right in front of them.
The elevator dinged stopping at floor 35, and they exited making their way over to the receptionist's desk. She greeted them with a smile, not so subtly letting her eyes roam over both men in appreciation.
"Good morning gentlemen. How can I help you?" She asked thinking of a few ways they could help her, as she bit her bottom lip. Mike leaned against the counter holding up his badge for her to see and flashing her a smile.
"Hi um…" He paused waiting for the receptionist to say her name.
"Chelsea" She smoothed a lock of her dyed burgundy hair behind her ear smiling, and leaning forward so more of her cleavage was revealed. Sam snorted, rolling his eyes at her unabashed flirting with his best friend.
"Hi Chelsea, we need to speak with Kitty Wilde. Would you mind calling her to come out here a meet us?" Mike asked ever so charmingly.
"Sure" She picked up the phone, getting ready to dial the number. "Who should I say is asking for her?"
"Just tell her Detective Mike Chang is here to see her." He told her smoothly.
Chelsea did just that, dialing Kitty's desk number while undressing the Asian man with her eyes. She quickly spoke to Kitty asking the other woman to come out to the reception area before hanging up. Writing on a sticky note, she tore it from the stack, placing it on the counter in front of Mike.
"You should call me sometime detective." Chelsea winked. Sam shook his head as Mike picked up the small piece of paper, folding it up and handing it back to her without looking at the number.
"I don't think my girl would appreciate it if I did, but thank you Chelsea. You've been very helpful." Mike flashed her another perfect smile, stepping away from the desk. The young woman huffed, getting back to work and ignoring the two for the rest of the time. A few minutes later, Kitty made her way out of the double glass doors with the click of her heels announcing her arrival.
Kitty Wilde looked pristine in her dark blue pencil dress, white blazer and leopard print stilletos. Her blonde hair was bone straight framing her face with her signature red lipstick finishing off her look. From what Sam and Mike could see, she didn't look like someone mourning a friend.
"How may I help you boys?" She asked pleasantly.
A few more people came in and out of the reception area going towards the elevator or making their way through the double doors. "Is there a place we can talk privately Ms. Wilde?"
Kitty nodded leading them through the double doors and into the nearest unoccupied conference room. "Would you two like a coffee or anything?" She pointed to the snack bar in the corner. Both men declined taking seats across from her.
"We just need to ask you some questions about Brianna." Sam stated and Kitty nodded. She couldn't believe her best friend was dead. To outsiders, it may seem as if she didn't care, with not taking time to mourn, but working was her way of coping. It took her mind off of the fact that her best friend was no longer there to talk to or laugh with. There would be no more birthday celebrations together. They would never be maid of honors at each other's weddings. All because some asshole killed her because he couldn't have her.
"Ask me whatever you need to. I'll try to answer as best I can." She told them giving them her full attention.
"On the day Brianna went missing, did she seem off at all? Was anything different?" Mike inquired pulling out his notepad.
Kitty shook her head. "She didn't seem different, but she was a bit annoyed with something that happened the night before.
"What happened the night before?" Sam leaned forward. Every little detail mattered, and if they were able to get more info on what went down with Brianna when she was taken, it may help them figure out why Sarah Martinez was targeted as well.
Kitty sighed thinking about how upset her friend was the night before. "Bri ran into her ex that night. We were working at The Lounge wanting to make some extra cash for our trip we had planned for next month. It's always busy there on the weekends, especially on Saturday nights. Well, her ex was there that night, and he got really drunk and said some things he shouldn't have. After her shift was done, they stepped out back for like twenty minutes, and when they came back, she was upset and he had a smug look on his face."
Moke wrote a few things down in his notepad before looking up at her. "Does this ex have a name?"
"Ryder Lynn, I can give you an address, and if he's not there or at work he's more than likely at a bar getting drunk. Guy's a real asshole, and he was jealous of her Bri and Noah even if he won't admit it." Kitty quickly wiped the stray tear that fell, clearing her throat.
She jotted down the information in Sam's notepad with Ryder's address, where he worked and where he would most likely be if not at either of those places. They asked her a few more questions before wrapping up. Ryder Lynn was definitely next on the list.
"I also think he knew that other woman that was killed." She added.
"Sarah Martinez?" Sam clarified and Kitty nodded. Mike and Sam shared a look, silently communicating with each other. Both men stood up and Kitty followed suit. They thanked her for her time and cooperation, moving towards the door.
"Detectives" Sam and Mike stopped, turning back to look at her. "Just please find who did this. Bri was one of the sweetest people I have ever known. She didn't deserve to die like that."
Both men nodded before exiting the conference room and heading out of the building.
xxxxxx
When Sam and Mike finally found Ryder Lynn, he was exactly where Kitty said he'd be if he wasn't at home or work. He was sitting in a half empty bar with a glass of scotch in hand. Ryder noticed them before they said anything, spotting their gold shields from a distance along with the guns at their sides.
"Took you long enough. I figured I would've been the first stop for the cops. Looks like I was wrong yet again." Ryder slurred, downing the remaining brown liquid from the glass before slamming it down on the bar top.
"Ryder, we need to ask you some questions about Bri-"
"I didn't kill her." The brunette snipped interrupting Mike. "But if you ask me, that bitch deserved to die." He let out a bitter laugh, and that's when Sam snapped. He was done playing nice. Two women were dead because of some psycho.
"Get the fuck up!" Sam demanded. The few other patrons in the bar shot eyes in the direction of the shouting anticipating what was about to go down. Ryder rolled his eyes with a huff, not making a move to stand. He waved for the bartender to bring him another round. Sam moved closer standing over him. "I said GET UP." He spoke through gritted teeth.
"Fuck you, man! Just because you have fucking shield and a gun doesn't mean you can tell me what to do. Fuck you! Fuck him!" He pointed to Mike. "Fuck Kitty because I know she told you where I was. Fuck Bri and fuck Sarah-"
Sam had had enough. Without warning, he grabbed Ryder by the back of his shirt forcing the man to his feet and slamming him against the wall getting in his face. "You think it's funny two women are dead, Lynn! DO YOU?!"
Ryder smirked, unfazed by Sam's actions. Mike stepped forward ready to intervene if things got too out of hand. "I think it's a little funny, yeah. Both Bri and Sarah were fucking teases, and as far as I'm concerned, they got what they deserved. May they both rest in fucking peace."
All Sam saw was red after that, punching the other man twice. Once in the mouth and then the nose. "Sam!" Mike shouted moving to grab his partner, but before he could, Ryder got in a good punch of his own and shoved the blonde into the counter hard. Sam winced as his back protested. Mike quickly grabbed Ryder, cuffung him.
"What the hell man?" Ryder moved trying to get out of Mike's hold.
"You just assaulted a police officer." Mike informed. "We're taking you in."
"The fuck? He punched me first! I was defending myself!"
Sam straightened up, ignoring the now searing pain in his back, and wiping the few drops of blood from his lip. Mike gave his partner a once over before forcing a still struggling Ryder out of the building. The blonde slowly followed, stretching his arms and shoulders to reduce the pain in his lower back. Mike put Ryder in the back of their squad car before looking at Sam.
"You okay?" Sam nodded and Mike sighed running a hand through his hair. "You shouldn't have hit him."
"You heard what he said-"
"Oh yeah I heard! He's also drunk, and we all say stupid shit when we drink! You still shouldn't have hit him!"
Sam ran a hand through his own hair, knowing his best friend was right. Another shooting pain went up his back, and he cursed. Mike shook his head upset about the whole situation. He didn't feel like playing good cop/bad cop today, but he was obviously good cop with the way Sam was acting.
"Get in the car. I'm driving." Sam didnt argue as he opened the passenger's side door getting in.
"I'm pressing charges, you know! Police brutality!" Ryder shouted from the back seat. Sam gritted his teeth, clenching and uncleancing his fists. He silently counted backwards from ten willing himself to calm down. "Police brutality!" He shouted again.
"Shut the hell up Lynn! You're still a suspect in a murder, possibly two actually. So I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut." Mike stated, starting the car and pulling out into the street.
xxxxxxxx
Sebastian, Mercedes, Kurt and Tina ended up at Tina and Mike's place after lunch. Sebastian, to everyone's surprise, canceled his day date. He told them the other guy canceled, but the other three knew the truth. They were currently sitting in the living room waiting for Tina to come out of the bathroom.
"A baby wouldn't be so bad." Kurt broke the silence. Mercedes and Sebastian gave him a look, and he shrugged. "What? I love babies. They're so cute."
"Yeah, when they're not throwing up, or shitting everywhere or crying their eyes out. Don't forget the part where they basically rip their mother's body apart to get here." The other two looked at Sebastian with wide eyes.
"Well damn Seb, tell us how you really feel." Mercedes spoke as Tina came out of the bathroom. The taller man shrugged, relaxing in his seat. The Asian woman took a seat on the couch between Kurt and Mercedes, setting her timer on her phone for three minutes. "I'll be okay T. We're here for you no matter what.
The boys nodded in response backing their friend's words. Tina gave them all a nervous smile as she fought the urge to bite her nails. It was a nervous habit that she had, but she hadn't done it for a while. Noticing her nervousness, Kurt and Mercedes each grabbed one of her hands. They waited the three minutes which seemed to take forever. When the alarm finally went off, she headed back to the bathroom to grab the test. Without looking at it, she made her way back to the living room with her heart pounding so rapidly, she could hear it.
"I can't look." Tina stated closing her eyes tightly. Mercedes stood up walking to stand in front of her best friend taking the test from her hand.
"She peed on that Cede." Sebastian murmured in disgust, getting an eye roll from the dark skinned woman. Mercedes quickly turned the test over reading the results.
"You're…"
To Be Continued
Hey guys! I know I left it on a cliffy, but I had to split this into two since so much is going on, but next chapter will pick up where this left off.
What do you think Samcedes wished for on their first date?
Do you guys think Tina is actually pregnant?
What's the deal with Ryder?
Do you think the flowers Mercedes got are from Sam or someone else?
Do you all like Sebastian, Mercedes, Tina and Kurt's friendship?
Tell me what you think. I absolutely love reading your reviews!