As promised here's another chapter, hope you guys enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own right to glee nor it's characters.

Jane has never looked so beautiful-so grown-up-than how she looks on her prom night. She's wearing a long, red dress with thin straps and an exposed back. Her straight hair is in a sophisticated high ponytail that reminds me of a horse tail. She has shiny black heels and her make-up looks like it was done by a professional. She's gotten really good at it since she started wearing it.

I want to cry just by looking at her. It's happening. She's a young lady. A young adult. My little sister isn't so little anymore and I wish our mom was here to see her. I try not to think about how she'll be gone to New York in less than 2 months. I'm not prepared for that yet.

"Cedes, are you erying?" Jane asks as she rolls her eyes at me. She reaches for a tissue and hands it to me.

I'm sorry," I say as I try to compose myself. "You're just-well, you're not a baby anymore."

She raises her eyebrows with a laugh. "Thanks for noticing."

I laugh then smile sadly. "I just wish Mom were here to see you. She would be so proud."

"Stop it or you're going to make me cry and this" She points to her face."-took hours."

"Okay, right, no crying," I say. "Have fun tonight."

She looks down at her phone. "Tina is here," She says then looks at me as if barely realizing that I won't be going with her. "You're gonna be okay?"

It's my turn to roll my eyes at her. "I'll be fine, don't worry about me. Enjoy your prom night. Remember to supervise your drinks and don't go into any dark alleys."

She laughs. "Okay, okay."

I watch from the front door as she walks to her friend's car. She waves at me before Tina drives off. I walk back to the house that suddenly feels really lonely. I realize that this is how it's going to feel when Jane leaves for college. Is this how parents feel when all their kids were grown up and leave the house? Sad and lonely?

I lock the door behind me then head to the living room and cuddle in the couch in front of the TV. I pull the blanket around me for comfort then reach for the bag of Munchies while I watch TV. They've been playing The Office episodes all day which is one of my favorite shows, I have spent more time on this couch in the last three weeks than I ever had in the last three years.

I've been working from home, only going to the bank one or two days a week, just to make an appearance. I haven't felt like going out.I haven't spoken to Sam since that Saturday night three weeks ago. He did call me a lot of times during the two weeks after that day but he hasn't called me at all in five days straight. I know I have no reason to be mad about that. I did ignore all his calls.

Didn't I want him to leave me alone? The answer is no, of course. It's just that every time I thought I was over our fight, I'll remember it and then I would get angry all over again. That Saturday I realized that nothing had changed.

Sam is still believing his mother over me. He's still putting her first. Despite everything she has done to me and despite the fact that he knows she's the biggest reason why I ran away. I don't wish anything bad to Mary. She's still Sam's mother. The problem is Sam. He doesn't believe me. He still lets her put things in his head. He doesn't trust me. I know I'm partly to blame for that but it's still not fair.

I refuse to go back and live the way I was living...even if I lose Sam... Yet, despite not answering all his calls, I don't want him to leave me alone. I just didn't want to talk to him a week ago.

Now...now it's different.

Something had happened.

Something good? Something bad?

No, not bad...just bad timing...

Yesterday, I found out I'm pregnant. I had my suspicions already but I didn't confirm it until yesterday. I had been feeling really tired, too tired-and that wasn't like me. At first, I thought it was because I was upset about the fight I had with Sam, and I was, but it was still not normal. I know my body and I knew something was happening.

My period was also late, though I didn't think much of it because my period has always been irregular. Never on the same day. Usually on the same week but not always. For sure once a month. I used to take the pill back when I was a teenager to help regulate it but I never actually followed the schedule so it didn't work. I had learned to live with it. It was always a nice surprise.

That nice surprise hadn't surprised me this month yet which added to my suspicions. So yesterday I finally got the courage (and energy) to go to the pharmacy. I took four different pregnancy tests and they all gave me the same result. Positive.

I'm pregnant.

And here I am, on the couch watching The Office and eating chips, pretending everything is fine and normal but I'm pregnant.There are cells working in my womb forming a little human. A little human that will have a heartbeat soon if it doesn't already.

I stop eating chips, suddenly feeling guilty. I should be eating something healthier like vegetables, right? Clearly, I don't know the first thing about being pregnant except how tired it makes me feel.

I don't want to think about it because I don't know how to feel. I haven't given much thought about being a mother. Before my mom died, sure, I knew I wanted to be a mom one day. But seeing my mom die, losing her, and seeing Jane lose her– it changed something in me. It made me terrified of having echildren because it terrified me to think about me dying and leaving them alone in this world without their mom I know it's different for me because no matter what happens between us, I know I'm always going to have Sam's support while my mom didn't have my dad's help. He left her when we were little and we never saw him again.

It scares me especially now that Sam and I are having issues. I feel terrified. Pregnant and terrified. It's like the title of a Lifetime movie except it's real and it's my life. So that's why I'm cuddled in my couch and watching The Office because it's better than facing reality.

I don't know what I'm going to do. Of course I'm going to tell Sam. I just don't know when or how. He hasn't called and I'm ready to answer now. I know I can just pick up the phone and call him but his silence is making me wonder..has he given up? And if he has, should I even tell him?

I was the one who told him I wasn't going to make him choose between his mother and me. I'm the one that asked him to leave after all. This pregnancy isn't going to magically solve our problems. Sam still believes his mother more than me. He's still letting her come in between us. It's like I'm married to Sam and Mary. It's wrong and I don't want to live like that. I don't think that makes me the bad guy here.

I imagine what it would be like to bring a child into this and I curse myself for not being more responsible. It didn't even occur to me to use protection. I wasn't thinking and neither was Sam, or maybe he just assumed I was on birth control.

And here is the consequertce. I don't know what to do. I wish I could talk to someone but at the same time, I don't want to share the news with anyone yet. It would make it real. The sereen of my phone suddenly lightens up next to me and I reach for it eagerly.

A text. From Sam.

I know I'm not your favorite person right now...

The three dots blink on the sereen as he types another text and I stare at them eagerly, waiting for the next text. He sends four separate ones:

I just want to say sorry I haven't given up, Mercedes, I'm working on it. I want you to know that. Take care of yourself and Jane, I love you.

My eyes well up with tears and I'm suddenly crying. I didn't realize how much I missed him until now. I suddenly miss everything about him. His eyes, his arms around me, his voice, his face, his laugh, his smile...

I wipe my cheeks Get ahold of yourself, I tell myself as I sniff. I haven't given up, Mercedes, I'm working on it...

Working on it? What does he mean by that? It doesn't matter right now. What matters is that he hasn't given up on me. He still loves me. There is light at the end of the tunnel because he still loves me and he hasn't given up.

After reading his texts over and over, I suddenly know what I have to do. I get off the couch and walk upstairs to my room and grab my laptop.

I love you...

I know what I have to do. I don't know how it's going to go. I don't know if it's going to make things better or worse, but at least Ill be doing something. So I go on the internet and purchase plane tickets because I finally know what I have to do.

~~~~~~~~

I land in California at 9:47 am on Monday morning. I'm only here for the day. I'll be on a flight back home tonight at nine. I have less than twelve hours. I'm here on business.

I'm Mercedes The Problem Solver today. Part of me is terrified but the other part is determined and for once, my determination is trumping ny fear and cowardice.

This needs to be done. Once I do what I have to do, my conscience will be clear. I'll know I did everything in my power to be all one happy family. This is going to help me move on and I need to move on so badly...especially now.

I'm meeting with Mary. She doesn't know, of course, and that makes me fecl better and more confident She's going to be at a restaurant in Beverly Hills at 10:30 thinking she's going to be meeting with Quinn for brunch.

Quinn is the only one who knows I'm here (besides Jane who stayed back home because she had school). I don't know what I'm going to say yet. I'm hoping the words come to me once I see her face to face. Yep, my big plan is to have a sane and mature conversation with Mary. That's my plan to solve our problems. I know it's a long stretch. I know it can turn ugly very quickly but I'm going to try my best to be patient with her. I know I already gave her a lot of patience before but I want to try one last time for this baby.

I plan to confront Mary and demand what her problem with me is. Why does she hate me so much? What did I do to her? From my knowledge, I have done nothing to her except marry her son which turned out to be the biggest offense against her apparently. Was she mad that she didn't get to choose Sam's wife? I know she loves to control him.

That would be a good starter, I think to myself sarcastically as I walk through the airport. I didn't bring anything with me other than my purse so I move through the crowds easily and quickly. We're going to be in public so Mary's going to have to behave herself. If there is one thing I know about her is that she would never ridicule herself in front of other people. She's different with people around. That's her problem. She's a hypocrite.

I don't know if I'm going to tell her about the baby yet. I don't want to because I haven't told anyone and I don't want the first person to know to be the one woman who hates me...who also happens to be my unborn child's grandma.

No, I don't want to tell Mary especially because I haven't even told Sam yet. I almost smile as I think about him. We're in the same state again. I miss him. My body aches for him. I can't wait to see him. I want to see his face, his eyes...I wonder if he misses me as much as I miss him. I also wonder how he's going to react when I tell him I'm pregnant... We never really talked about children so I'm a little nervous.

Maybe I should just go to the clinic and see him. I can hide in his office all day or we can go somewhere private...

Mercedes, no.

I need to do this. I need to have this conversation with Mary. Then I can say I did everything I could. I finally walk out of the airport and get an Uber to drive me to the restaurant.It was a sunny day. At least the weather was nice. Quinn didn't ask me why I wanted to meet with Mary. One of the best things about her is that, if she's your friend- then he's your friend unconditionaly. No questions asked.

It's a shame we're not as close anymore. Quinn deserves a true friend that's going to be there for her when she needs them. I hope she has someone like that. The Uber drops me off by the curb, outside the restaurant a few minutes after ten thirty. When I walk in, there is a line to get seated so I get in line.

I look around as I wait and then I spot her. She's sitting off to my right in a table for 2 and right next to the window. I take a deep breath then straighten up before walking to her.

At first, she doesn't see me approaching. She doesn't look up until I'm right by the table. She looks confused. Her hair is pulled back into a bun and she's wearing a yellow blouse with black dressed pants. I can't see her shoes but I would bet money she's wearing shiny heels. She's always dressed up for a meeting.

There is a cup of coffee in front of her. As I meet her gaze, I think back to the last time I saw her, back in her house when she arrived unexpectedly.

I clear my throat. "Hello, Mary."

She narrows her eyes at me. "What are you doing here?"

My body is tense but I act cool and natural as I take a seat on the chair across from her. I look at her and smile. "I'm here to see you, of course."

I can tell she's surprised by how I'm acting. I've never spokeh to her like that. With confidence and so sure of myself. I was always a coward. Always staying quiet when she insulted me or when she did things to hurt me. Staying quiet or running away. I'm not that Mercedes anymore and she's starting to realize it.

"I flew all the way from Arizona to see you." I continue when she doesn't say anything.

Her face expression changes in realization. "I can't believe it. Quinn"

She stops herself then looks at me as she reaches for her purse. "I am not going to set myself up for this humiliation."

She tries to stand up but I reach out and grab her wrist. "Sit down, Mary," I say raising my voice so she knows I'm not afraid to make a scene. "I flew here to talk to you and I am not leaving until we do."

Shock is clear on her face. After a moment, she finally sits back down and sets her purse down again. "How dare you touch me like that?"

"You've handled me like that many times," I say calmly looking into her light green eyes. "Doesn't feel good, does it?"

She narrows her eyes at me. "What do you want?" She asks, spitting the words out like venom, letting me know she isn't happy to be here. I'm not either.

"I told you-I want to talk. That's all." I assure her with a smile.

The waitress comes over then. "Anything I can get you to drink, ma'am?"

"N-" Marianne starts.

"Yes, please," I say looking up at her. "Can I have a cup of water? Also, may I get a menu? It's my first time here."

"Oh yes, of course," The waitress says. "Give me one second."

I nod with a smile on my face because I know Mary is glaring at me. If looks could kill, I would be dead for sure. This is kind of fun. Why haven't I done this sooner? The waitress comes back with a menu, promising to come back in a moment to take our order.

"It's my first time here," I say looking at the menu. "What do you suggest?"

"Stop it with the charade, Mercedes," Mary says looking very much annoyed. "Say what you want to say and be done with it."

"Oh, it's not going to go your way," I say looking up at her. "I intend to have a pleasant breakfast at least, considering it is very unpleasant to be here with you. I'm sure you feel the same way."

"If it is so unpleasant for you, then why are you here?"

"I told you already. I want to talk."

"About what?"

"About us, about Sam," I say then rest my arms on the table as I lean in to look at her in the eye. "But mostly, I want to talk about why you hate me so much."

"Oh please," Mary says. "Don't tell me you want to play the victim now."

"I have been-" I stop and clear my throat. I need to control my anger. "I've been the victim. Your victim." She doesn't say anything so I continue. "I think it's time to have this conversation, don't you think? I know you hate me. I want to know why."

"Does abandoning my son without saying anything not seem like a sufficient reason for you?"

I half smile. "You hated me long before that, Marianne. I am not an idiot. Please stop treating me like one."

She glares at me. "Why the sudden interest?"

I shrug. "I realized something."

"Oh yeah? What is it?"

"I realized that you and I both can't be in Sam's life. It's what Sam wants, of course, but he doesn't understand that there's a chance that might not be possible. Ever."

"So you're trying to mend things with me because you know you'll lose him otherwise." Mary looks satisfied.

It's crazy how sure she is that Sam is always going to do whatever she says. It's so shallow of her. She's so selfish.

I smile at her. "I was ready to give him up, Mary. I really was. I want you to know that despite all the hurtful things you've done to me, I've never been the woman to make a man choose between his mother and wife. I-"I look down at the table then look up again. "After losing my mom, I understood how important it is to spend time with our parents while we have them." I tell her and I think I see her face soften but it's so quick, I'm sure I imagined it.

"Sam loves you and he's afraid to hurt you. So I was ready to give him up...but something happened." I gulp. "And now I can't. I won't. So this is me trying to mend things between us before talking to Sam."

Mary shakes her head with a smile. "So you're saying you're doing me favor."

"I'm giving you a chance."

"My son is not going to choose you over me. I'm his mother. I don't know what fantasy you have in your little head, Mercedes, but that's all it is, a fantasy. You've always been so naive. Though you were smart to marry my son. A doctor. A man from a good family and a bright future. You don't deserve him. You never have, especially after what you did to him. What made you come back? Did you run out of money? Or–"

"I didn't marry Sam for his money," I say as calmly as I can. "Is that what you think? Is that why you've never wanted me as his wife?"

"I never wanted you as his wife, that is true," She says. "Sam should have married someone like him. Someone with a prestigious career. A woman from a good family name. Someone like"

"Someone like Penny" I interrupt her. "You wanted Damian to marry Penny. That's always been your problem hasn't it? I wasn't the woman you chose for Sam so you resented me instantly."

Is it possible that I'm right? Mary resented me for Sam's decision. She couldn't hate her son for disobeying her but she could hate me.

"Penny was perfect for Sam. She still is," Mary says then smiles. "And when you leave Sam again, he'll finally realize he is too good for you and move on "

I look at her for a moment, thinking about her words. That's the thing though. It's not just the words, it's the way she said the words. She's always been so condescending. Always trying to make me feel smaller than her. For a second, I wonder if this was how she treated her late husband. Now I have no doubt she married him for money. For security. For a good last name to come after hers.

Money is important, yes, and my mother always wanted me to marry good. Whose mother doesn't want that? But my mom actually didn't want me to marry Sam. She thought I was marrying him for money. I know she felt guilty because it was something she had always told me when I was younger. I think that changed when she got sick..when she realized that money couldn't buy us the important things in life, like time or love.

But I fell in love with Sam. I loved him and still do. I know I always will. I'm sure Mary loves her children in her own way-but her love for wealth and control has made her unhappy. She's never going to accept me as Sam's wife because she doesn't give a damn about love. I'm not the problem. She is and Sam is going to have to understand that.

"Are you ladies ready to order?" The waitress asks then with a writing pad in her hands.

Mary orders then the waitress turns to me.

"I'm okay, thank you."

"Your appetite is gone, dear?" Mary asks after the waitress leaves.

"You know, Mary, I came here with every intention of understanding and even forgiving you for everything you've done to me. That's all I wanted," I say looking at her. "But being here and talking to you has made me realize how shallow you are. And now I know that when you lose Sam, it won't be my fault."

She sighs. "You already left him once, I'm sure you're going to leave him again so we won't have to worry about silly apologies and repentance. Just make sure you stay away next time. Leave the divorce papers signed if you would. It would save me a lot of time and money," She says bringing the coffee cup to her pink lips.

I scoff. I can't believe this woman. "I am not leaving Sam. I am his wife. I'm not going anywhere." I reach for my purse.

"You're going to regret this, Mary, when you are all alone. Without your children. Without your grandchildren–"I stand up. "I know I sure as hell I don't want you around my kids."

"What are you talking about?" She asks looking up at me.

"oh and one more thing"I lower down so I can look at her dead in the eye. "Stay the hell out of my marriage."

Without another word, I turn around and walk out of the restaurant where I finally let my breath go. I didn't even realized that I was holding it. I did it. I don't know if this conversation was positive or negative yet but I do feel lighter. I feel at peace with myself. This is it. I did everything I could to fix things with my in-law. Now I'm not going to feel guilty.

I'm not going to feel guilty about making Sam choose between his mother and us-our baby and I.

So yeah that conversation needed to happen cause Mary is a whole ass mess and controlling af. How we feeling about this chapter babes? Let me know...

also please excuse any grammar errors that may occur.