Thank you for your continued support. This is the second last chapter.

As stated in the previous chapter, this chapter has a time jump.

Standard disclaimer

Five years later….

Mercedes and her husband Sam, stood speechless, as they looked at their three-year-old son, Aiden, covered in mud from head to toe.

A little less than ten minutes ago, Sam had bathed and dressed him, for a lunch date with Tina and Mike, and their four-year-old son, Winston.

Mercedes turned to her husband, who at this point, was desperately trying to hold in his laughter...to say something. Silent admonition from her, made him school his features, and say to his mini-me,

"Aiden Evans, you've got some explaining to do. How did this happen?" Looking into his father's eyes, which mirrored his, and now at eye level with him, Aiden said,

"Sorry papa. Me and Ruff was playing and he made me chase him and he saw the ducks and he chased them and I chased him and I for…for…not 'member the pud…pud…dle and I fall in and Ruff…"

His cute ramble was cut off, by his father raising his hand and saying,

"I get the picture son. Did you hurt yourself?" Aiden shook his curly head no, as his eyes filled with tears.

Mercedes melted at the sight of her son's tears.

She leaned over and pulled him into a warm embrace.

"It's okay baby. You weren't hurt…no harm done. Let's get you cleaned up, before Winston and his parents arrive...okay?"

He nodded his head, as she released him and Sam lifted him into his strong arms and kissed his eyes…the only places free of mud.

Inside Aiden's room, Mercedes sought out new clothes for him and Sam stripped him and placed him in the tub.

"Is Ruff in trouble?" he softly asked his dad.

In Sam's mind, Ruff is trouble, but he didn't say it. He knew the dog made his son happy and it was strangely protective of Mercedes.

"No, buddy. He's not in trouble. He's just being himself. Probably still chasing the ducks…or his tail."

A few minutes later, Aiden was clean again and wrapped snugly in his little bathrobe, sitting on his bed, playing a game.

His parents, not leaving anything to chance, decided it was best to dress him after they too, took a bath, as both were now covered in mud.

Inside their room, Sam and Mercedes stripped out of their clothes and headed for the shower. Sam was saying,

"No matter how many times that happens, I wouldn't change him for the world. I wouldn't change anything about our lives…except for the fact…we should've been together sooner. I love you so much baby. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful son."

Mercedes was moved to tears.

She embraced her husband's wet, naked body and sobbed into his chest.

"Hey, hey…I didn't mean to make you cry," he said.

He lifted her chin and placed a sweet kiss on her lips.

"Do you remember our first kiss?" he asked. Smiling through her tears, Mercedes said,

"Yeah…it was one of the best nights of my life." He kissed her again.

"Yeah, mine too. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to celebrate. I remember our wedding day and the wonderful times before that…like it was yesterday."

Flashback to five years ago…one year before the wedding….

Mercedes awoke, feeling secure and happy in the arms of Sam.

Memories of the night before came to mind and she quietly reminisced, about how perfect it was, barring that one moment, when she slapped Brody and put him in his place.

Blotting out that memory, she snuggled deeper into Sam's embrace, as she thought of how wonderful their first time together was.

A while later, she tried to turn and look at him, but found she couldn't.

After wiggling for a few moments, trying to free herself, she abruptly stopped, feeling his member grow hard against her butt.

A muffled moan, sounded behind her and she chuckled softly. In a sleepy voice, Sam said,

"I'm so glad you found my predicament funny, Mercedes. See what you do to me?" Mercedes laughed long and loud. Then, took a calming breath and said,

"Sorry babe."

Relaxing his arms, Sam turned her to face him and saw amusement in her warm eyes, as she tried to look serious.

"Sorry Sam. I didn't mean to laugh…but you sounded so whiny, and so…." A playful warning in his eyes cut her off, so she chose her next words carefully.

"You look so sexy…bedhead, stubble and pouty delicious lips…how did I get so lucky?" She softly kissed him, and a smile grew on his handsome face.

"I believe I'm the lucky one…pretty lady. I love you."

About an hour later, after a session of intimate activities, they were both showered and dressed.

Mercedes, in one of Sam's shirts and a pair of his short football leggings and Sam in sweatpants.

They moved about the kitchen together, like a seasoned married couple, as they chat about the plans they had for their day.

After breakfast, Sam decided to have a serious chat with Mercedes.

He watched, as she folded her dress from the might before and placed it neatly on the bed.

As she was about to move her jewelry off the bedside table, he caught her around the waist and said,

"Mercedes, can you sit for a bit? I need to ask you something."

Noting that he was serious, Mercedes quietly sat beside him, anxiously anticipating what he wanted to ask. Sam turned to her, taking her hand.

"Don't look so worried baby, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while." She nodded.

"First off, I love you, always have and always will. And I don't want to put pressure on you…but, I wanted to ask…if you would move in with me?"

He held up one hand.

"Before you say anything, I know you still have your place…places…and you're comfortable with Tina and Mike, but…I've been without you so long…I don't want us to be apart anymore. As I've said before…no pressure. And you can take as much time as you want, to think about it…just don't take too long."

Mercedes was speechless.

She didn't know what think, or what to say.

Seconds ticked by…still silence.

After a while, she looked into Sam's worried eyes and melted. She cupped his cheek and said,

"You are the sweetest man I've ever met…well…Mike too…but you are absolutely amazing." He narrowed his eyes at the part about Mike, and she giggled.

"I love you too, Sam…and it would be an honor to move in with you…after I speak to Tina and Mike, of course. As for my place…the one I've been living in…I will decide about that later. I can never be happy there. It holds too much painful memories for me. And just so you know, I don't want to be apart from you either."

Sam was ecstatic.

He pulled her into him and kissed her passionately, pouring everything he was feeling into it, as he clung to her soft body.

After a while, he pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.

"You've me so happy, baby. I've been dreaming about this day for so long…words can't explain the way I'm feeling now. You have no idea what it means to have you as mine and mine alone."

Tears trickled down Mercedes' plump cheeks, as she listened to Sam's heartfelt words.

She's never felt more loved than in that moment.

She looked into his eyes, as he thumbed her tears away, seeing deep, unconditional love, in those green eyes she loves so much.

She saw her place in his life and she saw a man who would do anything for her…all there…not just for her to see…but also for the world to see.

She leaned in and softly kissed his lips. Quietly, she said,

"I love you, Sam Evans."

A few days later, after chatting with her friends, Mercedes told Sam she would be ready to move in soon.

He dropped everything he was doing at work that day and left with the intention of moving her in right away.

However, he was only able to get her to move some of her stuff, with a promise from her, to move the rest, as soon as possible.

Tina and Mike were happy for her.

Mike had hugged her, as if it was the last time, he was going to see her and Tina, still in the early stages of pregnancy, bawled her eyes out, whilst stating, they were happy tears.

"I'm so happy for you and Sam. I wanted the two of you together for so long…and now, it's happening. You don't know how happy it makes me, to see you in such a good place and back to your old self," she said, as more tears ran down her lovely face.

Mercedes hugged her friend tightly, as Mike looked on, with a smile on his face.

These two women meant the world to him. He would do anything for them.

Tears dried, Tina looked at her friend and a huge smile blossomed on her face.

"You know what this means, don't you? You and I can be pregnant together. Don't waste time. But…judging by the way Sam looks at you…you will be…very shortly."

Mercedes' mouth dropped opened, without a sound escaping.

She stared at her smiling friend and felt her face heat up, as memories of her first time with Sam, flooded her mind.

She felt an arm come around her shoulders and found herself flush against Mike's side.

With a soft squeeze, he kissed her head and turned her to face him.

"Um…I don't really know what to say to that…but, you deserve to be with someone, who loves you as much as Sam does."

The awkwardness dissipated at Mike's words and Mercedes felt herself tearing up.

"Thank you, Mike. You two are the best friends I could have ever asked for…and Kurt, of course. I couldn't have done any of this, without the three of you. I was in a dark place, but your love and support brought me out of it. And Sam, he too has been a tower of strength for me. I don't know how I'll ever repay any of you."

"Aww honey…that is something you never have to worry about. We take care of each other…always have and always will," Tina said, embracing both Mercedes and Mike.

A week later, after being constantly nagged by Sam, Mercedes finally moved in.

She took the things she needed from her place to his and the rest was boxed up and given away to a shelter.

She still hadn't decided what she was going to do with her place, so she put that on the back burner for a while.

Three weeks after she had moved in with Sam, she had a run-in with Brody.

By this time, the twins had returned to finish up their studies, and Sam was on a short business trip.

It was his last day, and Mercedes had decided to do something nice, to welcome him back.

As she walked through one of the stores on her list, looking through massage oils and scented candles, her mind was so occupied about seeing Sam, she didn't notice she had an observer, until she heard his voice.

"Hi Mercedes, how are you? You look lovely by the way," Brody Wesson said to her. Not wanting to be rude, she kindly replied,

"Thank you, Brody…I'm well." Seeing as she didn't move right away, he took that as his cue, to start up a conversation.

"So…how've you been. I haven't seen you since…the theater." Noticing his discomfort, she decided to add fuel to the fire.

"I've been well, Brody. As for that night at the theater, I gave you a message…yet, here you are, close to me and speaking to me," she said icily.

Flinching at the tone of her voice, Brody foolishly went on.

"Look, Mercedes, I know we've had our differences in the past, and I know I've done some things to hurt you…but…it's just…recently…I've been so angry at myself. I'm a fool…the biggest fool there is…but, I still have feelings for you."

Mercedes couldn't believe what she was hearing, and she was sure her face reflected it.

She stood speechless for a few seconds, before she laid into the idiot in front of her.

"Are you on something? You must be…because, I can't believe you've said that with a straight face. You have no idea what it means to love someone unconditionally. You love superficially. Whatever catches your eye on the outside, is what you consider love. You can't verbally beat someone down, make them feel like less than the dirt under your shoes…someone you claimed to have loved…someone I might add…that loved you for who you are…and think that it's acceptable.

This is me, Brody…Mercedes Jones. I was there for every second of your bad treatment…for every second of your cheating ways…and I Mercedes Jones…was the unfortunate recipient, of every bitter, sharp, insensitive word, that came from your mouth. Forgive me for not believing anything your lying lips say to me. You want what you can't have. But, I have news for you Brody Wesson…I am finally happy…I'm in a good place and I am loved by a man who puts me first in everything and above everything.

He loved me when I was 'normal' in your eyes and when I became…in your opinion…'ugly and fat' he still loved me. He wore and still wears that love, like a badge of honor…and you can never measure up to that as a man…and certainly not as a human being. But you know what? I don't even hate you…I pity you. I feel sorry for any woman you may claim to love in the future…who may not be ideal in your eyes afterwards.

You have a lot to learn Brody. And I suggest you take a long, look at yourself…before you break some unsuspecting woman. While you're at it, stay the hell away from me. Wave from afar…and I might just wave back."

After that, Mercedes gathered her purchases and headed for the check-out counter, leaving Brody rooted to his spot, dumbfounded, like the fool he claimed to be.

Later that night, Mercedes welcomed Sam home, with warm hugs, long kisses, a sumptuous meal and then, some special pampering.

Exactly one month after her run-in with Brody, Sam proposed to Mercedes.

They were laying in bed, casually discussing their day…among other things, when he popped the question.

He had just asked her about her plans for the future, regarding her career. He was saying,

"Whatever you decide to do, I'm with you…but, you do know, you don't have to work, don't you?"

He was met with a blank stare and a quiet Mercedes. He began to backtrack.

"I...I didn't mean it like…" Politely, she cut him off saying,

"I know you didn't Sam. I just didn't know what to say. Nursing was my everything. I loved going to work and sometimes, the best part of my shift, was getting to chat with the patients. But…nursing was part of my life with Brody…and to be honest…I just don't feel that passionate about it anymore. My job is still there waiting for me…but I feel as though I'd be regressing…going back to the past, and I don't want that. I think it's time for me to move onto something else. Does that make any sense to you?"

Sam smiled and stroked her cheek.

"Of course, it does…and I totally support you. If you decide to look for a new career, that's fine by me…in fact, I'll even help you look. And if you decide you don't want to work…then, I'm also on board. I just want you to be happy baby."

If it was one thing Mercedes was sure of, her happiness meant the world to Sam. No one needed to tell her that.

She could see it written all over his handsome features. She softly kissed his full lips and said,

"Thank you, babe. You're one of a kind."

At that, Sam rolled over to his side of the bed, opened the drawer and took out a small box.

He calmly walked over to her side and got down on one knee.

Mercedes flew up and sat with one hand on her chest and the other covering her mouth, as tears welled in her eyes.

"Mercedes…my love, my soul mate…I am what people would consider a wealthy man. To them, I have everything I could possibly want. They see a man who owns and runs a lucrative business…a man who lives in a huge house…and a man who could get any woman he chooses. But you know what I see? I see all of that, too…but I also see…a man who was so lonely…he would have given all he had, just to gain the affection and attention of one woman. Wealth, titles…this house…these things, mean nothing to me, if I don't have you. And now that I do have you…I can honestly consider myself a wealthy man. I love you so much, Mercedes…you've become like the very air I breathe. Will you do me the honor, of becoming my wife and life partner?"

A very tearful Mercedes nodded and said,

"Yes," then, sobbed all over her intended.

About an hour later, they broke the news to their friends. There were fresh tears and loud, wild screams, courtesy of Kurt and Tina.

Sam was still in a happy mood the next day, so he decided to relax some of Mike's duties, so he could help Tina prepare for their little one.

She was now six months plus, pregnant and working from home.

But, this meant that Sam would be in need of a part-time assistant, and Mercedes volunteered.

He wasn't in favor at first…stating, he wasn't too keen on his brand new fiancée working for him.

But after much debate and one bad argument, when Mercedes raised the idea of giving Mike a few months off with pay, Sam conceded and agreed to let her be his temporary assistant.

They spent that evening, barely speaking to each other.

And it was only during dinner, when the subject of a business trip arose, the two were prompted to converse properly.

Sam had to go to London, to meet a potential marketing agent, about the possibility of expanding his business there, and as his assistant, Mercedes was required to go.

Just as dinner was coming to an end, they wrapped up their business conversation, cleaned up and headed to bed.

Inside their room, after finishing their nightly rituals, they quietly laid in bed together…but apart.

After a few minutes of silence, Sam, not being able to take the awkwardness, made the first move.

He searched out her hand and softly tugged it.

And Mercedes softened at his touch. She inched her way into his waiting arms and melted further.

Their lips met in a chaste kiss, that soon heated up and after a while, Sam pulled back slightly breathless and said,

"I'm sorry baby…it's not that I don't think you are capable of doing the job as my assistant…I know you can. It's just…I don't want you to feel obligated and I don't want you to stress yourself out."

Mercedes could understand his concern, knowing that she never had to worry about anything, because, Sam was more than able to take care of her and extremely willing too.

"I'm sorry too, Sam. I understand your concern…but I don't feel obligated. Now that I've decided not to return to my job, I don't have anything to do…and rather than you hiring someone new, or reshuffling employees…I will do it. It saves time and energy…plus, I get to be with you."

A huge smile blossomed on his face.

"Now that you've put it that way, you'll get no further complaints from me," he said, waggling his eyebrows.

"But, I need you to promise me something," he started again, and Mercedes nodded.

"Any time you feel as though it's too much, you need to let me know. Okay?"

"Okay." She leaned in and kissed his lips, then his nose.

"Don't start anything you don't intend to finish, baby," he said.

"Who says I don't intend to finish…"

Her words were cut off by his lips on hers as he flipped her onto her back.

Present day…

Sam and Mercedes finished their shower and set about dressing quietly.

Sam finished first, so he kissed his wife and went to check on his son.

Upon entering, he found his young son, still engrossed in the game he was playing.

So he sat with him, until Mercedes came in, to get him ready.

Sam excused himself shortly after, to check that everything was set for their lunch.

Mercedes had just finished dressing her son, when she heard her husband shouting.

She grabbed Aiden's little hand and quickly went to find him.

When she saw him, the sight would've been comical any other time…or day, but the look on his face spoke volumes.

His nice clean clothes were covered in mud…again.

Apparently, Ruff had seen him on the patio and decided to show him some love and affection.

A worried look crossed Mercedes' face.

She took a quick glance at her son and his sweet little face measured shock. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was stuck in an 'o'.

Mercedes released his hand and calmly walked to Sam and a still excited Ruff.

"No Ruff! Stop it!" she sternly said.

The tone of her voice told the dog, that he had done something wrong. Whining and wagging his tail, he walked slowly to her and sat at her feet.

Mercedes softened. She quietly spoke to him, telling him,

"That was not a nice thing to do, Ruff. I know you're sorry, but you have to go outside and stay outside for a while, okay?"

At that, the dog licked her shoes and disappeared outside.

Right at that moment, Tina, Mike and their son Winston, arrived.

Aiden took off and ran right into the arms of his 'Auntie Tina'.

Mercedes turned to greet them, forgetting all about Sam for the moment, who was still stewing from what Ruff did.

"Oh my God, Sam! What happened? Did you fall into a puddle of mud?" Tina asked, bringing attention to his predicament.

Sam remained silent, with a pout on his lips.

Mike looked on in amusement, trying to hold a laugh in.

"Mercedes…what happened to him?" Tina pressed. Before Mercedes could answer, Aiden said,

"Ruff did it! He made daddy dirty and now daddy's mad."

"Boys," Mercedes called to Aiden and Winston. "You guys can go play quietly, until you're called for lunch…inside only. Do not go out without asking."

Both nodded and dashed for the TV room.

Mercedes turned to the snickering Chang's, her brown eyes pleading with them, not to tease Sam.

"We will be back shortly. Make yourselves at home…you know where to find everything."

She turned to her still angry husband, took his hand and led him to their room.

Just one more chapter to go. Stay safe and stay blessed.