A/N: WHET! Three chapters in one day! Yasss, you're girl been busy writing up a storm for you loves! So this chapter is so cute but also... ya'll some shit about to go down and that's all I'm saying! Enjoy!


"Come on, let me grab my things and then we can go." He said smiling and nudging her towards the stairs. She wasn't sure what he was about to show her but she felt butterflies and it had been a long time she had them. After they got his things and headed to his truck once they approached Mercedes stopped and gave him an amused look.

"Umm… I'm going to need a little help." She said giggling. His truck was big and didn't have any running rails on it. He let out a small laugh and nodded while opening up the passenger side door and let her step forward before gently lifting her so she could sit. He closed the door and walk to the other side getting in with a smile. They rode in a comfortable silence until they reached what looked like a wooded area with a long driveway.

"Where are we?"

"My house." He said smiling brightly.

"Ah Sam I know earlier we… but I'm not about-" She started before he placed a finger on his lips and shaking his head.

"I know it's been a while but you know I would never assume or pressure you into that. When the time comes it'll be perfect." He said stopping in front of a beautiful home. It was a medium cottage style with greenery draping over and trees surrounding the massive yard.

"Oh, I bet its beautiful out here during the winter." Mercedes said taking in all the beauty around her, everything was simply breathtaking. She looked over and saw Sam standing there smiling at her and she suddenly felt the butterflies grow.

"What?" She asked finally after they stood there looking at each other.

"I'm just happy you're here. Come on, let me show you around and out back." He said walking beside her to the door he opened it and let her in first. The inside was as beautiful as the outside, the living room had a stone textured wall with a build in fireplace, large wood beams lined the ceiling and it was nicely decorated with deep brown leather furniture and off white accents. There was a small nook with a chair and his guitar that had a huge window allowing natural light to stream through. He threw his keys down on the side table along with his bag. He let out a loud whistle before grabbing Mercedes's hand and walking to the kitchen. He saw the look of amazement on her face and grinned he knew she always wanted a kitchen with large window facing the backyard. He let out another whistle before opening the back door and nodding her over she went out and looked back at him waiting. Right before she could say anything a large fluffy dog came trotting towards Sam and she immediately fell in love.

"Oh my goodness! He's adorable. How old?" She asked knelling to pet his dog.

"She's 10 and a rescue actually, she likes to take her time coming when she's called." He said sitting on his knees and petting her as well.

"What's her name?"

"Lily." Sam said standing and holding his hand out for her to grab.

"Is she what you wanted to show me?" She asked not wanting to leave Lily but still grabbed his hand. She felt so comfortable and his home was making her wish she had something more permanent than her loft.

"Yes but there's also one more thing." He said winking and placing his free hand over her eyes. He tugged her gently along for a few paces before stopping and stepping in front of her before uncovering her eyes and moving aside. When she let out a gasp he couldn't help but smile at her expression.

"Sammy…" Was all she could get out before walking towards the large oak trees that created a path to nicely decorated deck with lights streaming throughout them and two large willow trees with a swing couch hanging in between them. There was a small koi pond that had a mini waterfall and outdoor furniture surrounding it, she stood there completely stunned and somewhat envious.

"What do you think?" Sam asked finally breaking the silence that fell upon them.

"It's absolutely beautiful, how on earth did you do all of this?"

"Well, I teaching isn't my only job. I got lucky and sold a few songs to a few people here and there."

"You've been writing music and never thought to tell me?" She asked trying to sound offended.

"Oh trust me, I've tried writing a song for you for years but… can't seem to get the words right." He said looking down at Lily who plopped down on the ground.

"You have?" She asked shocked at his admission.

"Yes… I've always wanted to write you a song and every time I start the words get jumbled and I just tuck away what I have so far." He said looking at her again with a weak smile.

"Maybe we can write one together." She replied softly and looking away. Shit! Why is it so easy with him.

"Mhmm. Maybe we could." He said before looking at his watch.

"What time is dinner?"

"Usual time."

"Well in that case we have a little time to hang out. Want to see how really awesome the floating couch is? There's a projector we can watch a movie." He said with a wide grin. She stood there for a minute thinking if it was a good idea but she figured it was just an innocent movie. Just don't kiss him again and it'll be fine. She smiled back at him and nodded the bit her lip nervously. Damn… she had to bite her lip.

"Okay, let me go grab some blankets and a movie, go ahead there's some steps to help get on there." He replied walking back into the house.

"Come on Lily, you're gonna be my buffer." Mercedes said to Lily like she could understand. When Sam came back he shook his head at Mercedes with Lily laying with her head on her lap. He placed the blankets down on the couch and went to put the movie and let the screen down, once he finished he kicked his shoes off and joined them on the couch.

"Let me guess… Marvel?"

"See you do still know me." He said smiling and playfully tapping her nose. He passed her a blanket and got comfortable himself before starting the movie. They watched the movie in silence occasionally stealing glance and every so often their hands would touch. Sam slowly moved closer to her until they were shoulder to shoulder. He felt her sigh and gently laid her head on his shoulder in turn her wrapped an arm around her. Lily seemed to find this new arrangement pleasant and moved to the other side of Mercedes and snuggled up to her side. The three of them laid there peacefully watching the movie without a care and the outside world a distant memory.

BUZZ!

"Sorry, I thought I put it on silent." Mercedes said grabbing her phone, she a two messages one from Monica and another from Tank.

Monica

Call me immediately!

Hey… I need to make a call. It's Monica, it's probably nothing but still." She said with a small laugh as she got up and began to climb down from the couch.

"It's okay, we probably should head to your parent's now anyways. Go ahead and make you call I'll get all of this up and then we can head out." He replied stopping the movie and getting off as well followed by Lily who looked annoyed at their sudden actions. Sam gathered everything and pulled the screen up before heading inside with Lily in tow and Mercedes stayed behind to call Monica.

Hey, what's up?

Where the hell are you?

I-I umm.. what's the emergency?

No, no where are you?

Sam's! He was showing me his house and his dog.

You've been there since school?

Yes… what aren't you saying.

Nothing, just get to your parents and don't say anything about the house or dog okay?

Monica what's-

I'll see you at your parents.

Click.

"Well… that was strange." She said to herself before heading inside. Sam was pouring food into Lily's bowl and she stood smiling at how domestic he looked.

"Ready?" He said once he finished.

"I would say yes but Monica's being a little weird so maybe?" She replied laughing. Sam just smiled and they walked back to his truck where he helped her again get in and headed towards her parents. Sam received a message as soon as they pulled up and checked it before shoving his phone back into his pocket and sighing deeply.

"Everything okay?"

"What? Oh yeah, just a long day that's all." He said before getting out and walking to her side to help her out. Tank pulled up at the same time he was helping her out.

"Hey baby, have fun at school?" He said mockingly. She rolled her eyes and nodded with a fake smile.

"Yes, it was nice helping Sam." She said walking towards the door with Tank close behind her before going in she turned and looked back at Sam who gave her a small nod letting her know he would be in a just a minute. He pulled his phone back out and reread the message from Monica.

Remember, we don't know each other and you are Cedes are just FRIENDS. Whatever happened today at your house stays there.

Sam exhaled deeply and put on his best smile, fooling Tank was one thing but her parents could read him like a damn book. He walked in and was greeted by a familiar smell, Mrs. Jones's brownies were the best thing ever and before he even realized it had walked straight into the kitchen and was reaching for one before a firm hand smacked his.

"Now, you know better Samuel."

"Mrs. Jones!" Sam said with a huge smile as she pulled him into long hug.

"How are you baby? Why haven't you come by and seen me?" She asked pulling away.

"I'm sorry moma, I just didn't know if I should or could." He said rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Now you know you can come whenever and I expect you to come now since I've told you otherwise."

"Yes ma'am. Where's Popa Jones?" He asked trying to grab a brownie again only to have his and smacked again.

"He's in his favorite place." She replied nodded towards his 'study' which was slowly turning into his game room. Sam gave her a peck on the cheek and headed towards the study to say hey to Mr. Jones.


"So… have fun with your little friend today?" Tank asked Mercedes as she sat at her vanity in her childhood bedroom.

"Yeah, we got to catch up a little." She said honestly because they did technically catch up… just not really with words per se.

"Hmm… that's good. Anything else?"

"Nothing worth noting." She said turning to him and smiling.

"Mhm. You look beautiful babe." He said walking over to her and smiling, he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips and for a split second she felt a rush flow throughout her body.

"Thank you." She said standing up and giving him a small hug.

"Hey, before we go down I wanna show you something." He said pulling his phone out and moving behind her. He pulled his phone up to her eye level and told her to press play, when she did she immediately stiffened and tried to turn around but he wrapped an arm around her stopping her movements. She felt the tears burning in the back of her eyes but refused to let them fall, she took a deep breath and waited for it to end. She felt him move her hair away from her ear as he lowered to whimper into her ear.

"Now, this isn't a very good look is it? Mercedes Jones back home to tell her family about her engagement only to be caught kissing an old flame. Now that's a story worth selling and it's not like you didn't like the kiss because not only didn't you stop it but you kissed him again after stopping the first time. Hmm… I wonder how your label will feel about their sweet and sexy songstress making out with her ex while her fiance waits for her to return." He said turning her around and smirking with dark eyes. She didn't know what to say she was caught and he had her in between a rock and hard place, she started to talk but he stopped her.

"Now that I've gotten your attention, we are going to tell your parents and then make a public announcement when we get back to L.A." He said ignoring the tears that began to fall down her face.

"Tank..."

"You can apologize to me later, clean your face and I'll meet you downstairs. Oh and make sure your friend knows that you are off limits." He said before walking out and leaving her there shaking and crying. She was at loss for words, how in the hell had he gotten that? Who recorded them and why was she being followed? She looked at herself in the mirror and shook her head, she was stronger than this and she didn't deserve this at all. She began to wipe her face removing the make up she applied and started to reapply but deciding against it. There was knock at the door and fanned her face before speaking.

"Yeah?" She let out a sigh when she saw it was Monica.

"Hey girl it's me, I was just checking… Cedes what's wrong?" Monica said moving towards her with a concerned look. She just looked at her and began crying again, she didn't know how to tell her what had just happened but she knew she needed to talk to someone and the one person she wanted to was downstairs but she couldn't because of her so called fiance.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little overwhelmed." She said wiping her face and putting on a fake smile. Monica knew she was lying but instead of pressing the issue she gave her a tight hug.

"Are you going to be able to make it through dinner?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Let's do this." She said standing up and walking out the door.


WHEW! Sam's house? The dog? The movie? All sweet right!? Then Tank ass... We haven't even scratched the surface y'all! I got some stuff up my sleeves baby! Oh and trust Monica has a few things up hers too ;) I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next few will be up soonish (Yes you read it right) I really want to know what you guys thought of this chapter so tell ya girl what you thinking! Thanks and until next time!