Thank you kind people, for giving me the motivation to keep writing. I appreciate it.
Standard disclaimer.
Sam, with Stevie in tow, arrived back home at the scheduled time, feeling tired and clamoring for his bed.
They made his way through Customs quickly, seeing as they flew on their company's private jet and their title was Evans.
Normally, when that happened, Sam would be upset, because he's always striven to be treated as an equal, and has never let the fact, that his name afforded him special treatment, get to his head…but today…he couldn't care less, he just wanted to get home, preferably to his bed, even if for a couple hours.
As they exited Customs, a car promptly pulled up and the driver got out.
After a few greetings, the driver took Sam's coat and bags, loaded them into the car and held the door opened for him and Stevie.
Sitting in the comfortable seats of the car, Sam breathed out a sigh of relief and closed his eyes, just as Stevie took out his phone and started scrolling through it.
Half an hour later, the car pulled onto the long driveway, of the Evans' property, heading for the front entrance.
Five minutes later, the car came to a stop and before the driver could get around to opening his door, Sam exited and beckoned Stevie out.
He thanked the driver and headed straight for his room, greeting a few staff members along the way.
At the top of the stairs, Sam and Stevie parted and Sam headed for his room.
Once inside, the sight of his bed, lit up his tired eyes, but he staved off the temptation to get into it, by making a few calls to the office instead.
After being ensured that everything was in order there, he stripped out of his clothes and made his way to the bathroom, for a much-needed shower.
Fifteen minutes later, he was out like a light, sleeping soundly, in his huge bed.
Meanwhile, Tina and Mercedes were out and about…rather…Tina was dragging her around, and after a few hours of shopping, Mercedes was ready, to personally have herself committed, to an asylum.
"Just think, if Kurt was here…" Tina said.
Mercedes silently gave a word of thanks, knowing it would have been much worse, and entered the fifth store of the day, where only the elite and rich shopped.
She had protested earlier, when she saw Tina pulled out a card, deftly hiding the name on it, to willingly purchase a ton of clothing from each store.
Tina, however, only succeeded in buying two outfits from each, after Mercedes put her foot down, and threatened to cancel the visit with Sam and lock herself in her room.
When they arrived home, Mike was sound asleep in front of the television, in the living room, so they went to Mercedes' room, to sort out their purchases and decide which outfit she would wear later.
After much debate, they settled on a white, short sleeved T shirt dress with side splits and a pair of gold wedge sandals with white bottoms, instead of the white strappy heels, Tina had wanted her to wear.
"Cheer up Tee. We're not going anywhere special…and according to you, if Sam cares so much for me, I don't have to do too much, to win him over."
Tina smiled, noting her friend's happy expression.
"You're so right, Cedes. I just want everything to go well…and I want you to feel beautiful…because you are. And no negative thoughts in that beautiful head either."
Mercedes embraced her friend, saying,
"You worry too much, Tee. Everything will be fine…I know it. It'll be just like old times…minus Brody. I won't let anything he's said, get in the way of my time with Sam…I promise."
Tina pulled back a little and smiled happily. All at once, a cheeky grin blossomed on her face.
"Good...because me and Mike are not going to be here…so, if you guys want to get a little adventurous, feel free to keep as much noise as you want."
Mercedes went speechless.
She sat with her mouth opened and her brown eyes the size of saucers.
Tina chuckled loudly, at the look on her face and the blush that crept up her milk chocolate cheeks, turning them to a deep dark red.
Placing her hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter, Tina came to stand in front of her and placed one hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Cedes, but I just couldn't help it. I know you're just getting over Brody and I know it's been a while since…you know…for Sam also, it seems. In fact, I don't think he ever did that much with Rachel…considering how he feels about you. I'm sure…"
"Tee!" Mercedes said, curtly cutting her off. Tina pasted an innocent look on her face and pursed her lips together.
Mercedes was mortified.
"Santana has clearly rubbed off on you. After all these years, I should be immune to that mouth of hers…now yours. I know you mean well, but I just can't think about that right now. I just want to take things one day at a time…I want to be in a place where I can say, I've been there and done that, okay?"
"You're right and I'm sorry," Tina admitted. "I just want you to be with Sam so much…but more importantly, I want you to be in a healthy place…that way, you can give your all to him."
Mercedes smiled and pulled her best friend down beside her. She kissed her cheek and playfully bumped her shoulder.
"Thank you, babe, for understanding, for sticking by me…for making me laugh…for everything. I love you, Tee and I will be forever in your debt…Now, can we please not mention this shopping trip to Kurt?"
Both laughed.
"I won't. He'll throw a hissy-fit…and you never have to thank me, Mercedes. Besides, I'm not doing anything you won't."
They eventually went back to chatting about the clothes they bought.
Mercedes couldn't believe she'd let Tina talked her into getting some of them.
One particular outfit was a few sizes smaller than the others. Mercedes held it up and asked,
"Tell me why you bought this again? It's clearly too small for me."
"Well, when…or if, you decide to go back to your original size, that should be the first piece of clothing you hit the streets in. It is guaranteed to turn heads, Sam's in particular."
Tears welled in Mercedes' eyes when she heard those words. She reached for her friend and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Tee."
"Aww honey…no pressure from this corner…we all love you, just the way you are."
After a while, they decided to take a nap, feeling the full effect of their day out, wearing them down. Tina headed for her room, leaving Mike as he was, still sleeping on the sofa.
As for Mercedes, she just cleared a spot and collapsed on the bed, with thoughts of a certain green eyed gentleman, she was anxious to see.
A few hours later, Sam awoke, feeling well rested and a bit disoriented.
At first, he wasn't sure where he was, but after a about a minute of scanning his surroundings, everything seemed familiar.
As usual, Mercedes' pretty face entered his mind and a sweet smile lit up his handsome face.
He presently got up, went to the bathroom, emptied his bladder and freshened up a bit.
His next stop was the kitchen.
He wasn't surprised to see it empty.
He knew Stacie had to be over at Kurt's. They've always been close, and since her arrival back home, they've been almost inseparable.
Where Stevie was, he wasn't sure, but he had to be out somewhere, with his friends, probably checking chicks out.
Sam wasn't worried though, the twins were both adults and he trusted them to act responsible, wherever they went.
But, he was surprised to see a note tucked under what he supposed was his dinner.
He smiled, as he read his sister's scribbled handwriting, telling him, exactly what he'd thought, so he sat in peaceful solitude and ate his dinner.
After eating, he decided to take another shower, to loosen himself up, before he went to see Mercedes.
Just before he entered the bathroom, he picked up his phone and called over at Tina's, who answered on the second ring.
"Hi Sam-it's great to have you back-you want Mercedes-I'll get her for you-hang on a second," she rushed.
Sam chuckled to himself.
Tina never ceased to amaze him.
For the umpteenth time, he wonders, how is Mike able to handle her. He sighed audibly.
'She's right, though. I want…no…I need Mercedes…so much,' he thought to himself.
Mercedes was awake for some time.
She felt rested and her mind felt at ease.
For once, she felt as if she was in a happy place and she owed it all to her friends…and Sam…because, just thinking about him, made her happy.
She heard a soft knock and bid the person enter.
Tina entered with a smile on her face and handed her the phone saying,
"For you," and exited the room. Feeling butterflies swarming in her stomach, Mercedes calmed herself as best, as she could and said,
"Hello." Sam's heart leapt, at the sound of her voice and he smiled to himself.
"Hi Mercedes, how are you?" he softly asked. His voice was like a warm blanket on a cold night. '
How does he make my boring old name sound so…beautiful…so sexy?' she asked herself.
"Hi Sam. I'm well. Yourself?" Once again Sam smiled, and his face took on a dreamy expression.
"Better, thanks. I was a bit tired when I got in earlier, but I'm actually feeling quite refreshed…revitalized."
"That's great."
"Yeah, a shower would do that for you."
All of a sudden, Mercedes' mind went into overdrive.
She started picturing a very naked Sam, standing under the shower, rubbing soap all over his muscular body and before she knew what was happening, a soft moan escaped her lips.
She was subsequently brought out of her very vivid daydream, when she heard him softly calling for her.
"Are you alright?" he cautiously asked. Mercedes was mortified. It was a good thing, she wasn't directly in front of him.
"Uh…uh-huh…I'm fine Sam." Sam wasn't quite convinced, but he took her at her word.
"Okay…are you still up for company?" he asked, hopeful she was.
Mercedes chuckled softly, as she pictured him pacing the floor, with his free hand in his pocket, or running through his blonde hair, looking incredibly sexy.
"Looking forward to it, actually." Once again, his handsome face lit up and he smiled.
"I am, too. Have you eaten…and if not, can I bring you anything?"
Mercedes hesitated for a few moments.
She hadn't eaten since lunch time, and that was when she was out with Tina, shopping.
She had plenty of food at her disposal. Tina and Mike saw to that, but she was still wary of her weight gain, so she resolved to eat lightly.
"No Sam…not really. I ate lunch, but, that's about it."
"Okay. What can I get you?"
"Surprise me…but, include a small salad with your surprise…if it's not too much trouble."
He chuckled. But he really wanted to tell he,r he'd go to the moon and back for her, walk on a bed of hot coals for her, if she so much as ask him to and that nothing would ever be too hard for him to do for her. But he filed that away for another time. Instead, he said,
"No trouble at all, Mercedes."
They chatted for a few minutes more and then hung up.
About forty-five minutes later, Sam arrived looking extremely handsome, with Mercedes' food in a carrier basket.
He was wearing dark washed jeans and a dark mossy green long sleeve shirt, molded to his sculpted chest and arms, paired with black boots.
Tina answered the door, dressed for her night out with Mike and invited him in.
"Sam…it's so nice to see you. Come in," she chirruped. Sam entered and gave her a friendly hug. Mike appeared then, going straight for him and embracing him.
"Welcome back, buddy."
"Thank you. It's good to be back and out of those lengthy meetings, man." Tina kindly took the basket from him and said,
"I'll tell Mercedes you're here. She's still getting dressed."
"Thank you, Tee."
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Mike asked.
"No thanks…I'm good. I just want to see her man. I never knew I could miss someone so much." Mike's face softened.
"I can see that. It's written all over your face, bro."
Sam's face reddened.
The two began to catch up and Tina came back, with her purse in hand.
"You two look as though, you are about to leave," Sam suddenly said, with a suspicious look on his face.
The couple suddenly looked guilty, as they shared quick glances.
"Uh…yeah. Mike and I are off to see a movie…and then we'll probably take in a late dinner and some dancing…" Tina said.
Sam caught the surprised look on Mike's face, when Tina mentioned what they were going to do.
"Oh…and which movie would that be?" Once again, Tina stumbled on her answer.
"Uh…it's…um…that funny one, you know…I can't remember the name…but I hear it's really good," she said, her eyes desperately pleading with Mike to help her out.
Sam was onto them.
He had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
"Okay, Tee…I get you. But you should just come out and say, you guys are really leaving, to give me and Mercedes a chance to talk alone. I appreciate it though. Thank you…I won't forget it," he said, with a blank expression on his handsome face.
Tina stood speechless with her mouth opened, not being able to respond, as Mike tried to stifle a laugh.
Just then, Mercedes' door opened, and she stepped out.
All three heads turned to watch her, as she came towards them, but at the hitch in Sam's breath, all eyes turned to him.
Sam was mesmerized.
It's been a few months since he's last seen Mercedes, and although he's heard from the others, she's been having trouble with her weight, right now, he couldn't care less.
She was a vision. A beautiful, perfect vision to his green eyes.
Yes, her bosom looked more prominent. Yes, her hips looked more pronounced and yes, her pretty milk chocolate legs looked more thicker, but it was all to Sam's delight, because, all of the right places have certainly been enhanced…except, he hadn't seen his favorite part…her behind.
He bit his lip, to suppress a moan, that was halfway up his throat, as he thought about it. He found himself moving, unbidden towards her, and like a moth drawn to a flame, he was caught up unconsciously in the aura of her.
For a moment, the two of them just stood there, a few feet apart, just staring at the other, and as if someone had pulled a cord on both, they walked right into each other's arms.
The smiles on Tina's and Mike's faces vanished, as they witnessed the exchange between their two friends.
Suddenly, both felt as if they were yet again, intruding on a very private moment. They locked eyes, and Mike pointed to the door, signaling it was time to go.
They took one last look at Sam and Mercedes, seeing them caught up with each other, and took the opportunity to silently escape the house.
As they made their way to their car, Mike was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Wow! That was pretty intense in there." Tina shook her head, agreeing with him.
"Yes, it was. I expected Sam to be wowed, but his reaction surpassed it. That was…some…I don't know what that was…but I know this, Sam is completely head over heels in love with Mercedes and if given the chance, he'll make her his wife. And judging by Mercedes' reaction, she definitely feels something more, than friendship for him…and the more time they spend together, the more those feelings are going to be developed and come to light. It's only a matter of time."
Mike nodded his head in agreement.
"All in all, this has made me very happy," she finished.
"I believe you're right and I couldn't be happier either," Mike said.
Thank you for your kind words bcandylandgirl. Blessings to you and yours and to all my readers. Stay safe.