So this chapter doesn't have Samcedes interacting with each other but it will give you the dynamics of their family. You will see how they are with their siblings and learn more about them. So glad you guys like it. Keep reviewing and stay blessed.
"Thank God this is the last trip." Stevie said with a sigh as he set the coffee bean grinder on the black granite counter in Sam's by spotless modern kitchen. The counter was filled with birthday gifts of various kitchen utensils and cooking appliances.
"What's her name?" Sam said voice full of sarcasm as he tagged the 12 speed stainless steel blender and rice cooker and steamer with who gave them to him.
A grin flashed across Stevie's face. "Carmella and she looks like J Lo and has a sexual appetite that would make a porn star blush."
Sam folded his arms and leaned back against the counter. "You know you could at least pretend not to be having so much fun while I am having none."
Stevie's manicured hand slapped Sam on the back as he smiled their signature Evans' grin. "I appreciate your sacrifice big brother, it's for a good cost so it's not in vain. I am enjoying my time while I can."
"That's a load of bull and you nitwits know it." Stacy said making her way into the kitchen placing the assortment of cooking oils on the breakfast table.
Stevie shrugged, "What it's true, I am storing up memories while I can cause the moment Sam falls it's gonna be me alone forever."
Stacy made a face. "You have been using that excuse since Franny first got married. Its getting old and those poor girl's actually think they are gonna be the one."
"Look I am just calling it like I see it. First there was Franny, then Quinn, Simon fell, so I am enjoying myself while I can. Enjoying my life considering I will have to be a monk by the time he falls. I am just lucky that Sam is made of sturdier stuff than Simon."
Sam sighed, "I might not be able to hold out much longer." His eyes turned away from his sister. Even though she was 25 he still didn't like talking about sex in front of her.
"Stevie certainly couldn't have held out this long, we both know that." Stacy said running her hands through her hair. Stevie shuddered and hit Sam's back again.
"Yeah she knows me best there is no way I could deny myself. But are you sure not playing the field is the only way to win this?"
"Sadly Sam nodded. "I have thought about this a lot and it's the only way I won't get caught up."
Stacy looked between her brothers. "Wait what? Why aren't you playing the field? And don't act as if I never heard the word sex before I am a grown woman."
Sam and Stevie both rolled their eyes as Sam spoke. "Before mom wasn't in the mix she had this uncanny ability to find the right woman for anyone so I can't take the chance that the woman I date is the one mom would pick, so not dating not playin the field." he said emphasizing "field". "Is the only way I know I won't get caught up."
Stevie sighed heavily and frowned looking at Stacy. "If Sam fails, you might as well start picking out your china pattern."
Stacy laughed shoving Stevie. "Because we all know you can't go two days without a woman."
Stevie shrugged. "Women love me, what can I say?"
Sam slumped his shoulders. "They used to love me too...love me a lot more than you."
Stevie and Stacy looked at each other with a worried stare, they both knew the perks of Sam's restaurant with all the women who came in there and they knew how much Sam adored woman.
Stacy lightly touched Sam's arm giving him a sympathetic look. "If it's any consolation I'm not dating either." she said.
"It's because you're too picky." Stevie said with a laugh.
"Yep just like my brothers taught me to me." she said. "But you Stevie, could use some of my same discretion. Carmella De La Vega is temperamental and and exotic dancer who has a reputation for shutting her lovers what she's done with them."
Stevie smiled. "Until now, so if there's nothing else Carmela is waiting."
Stacy turned up her nose, "So since her last performance was tonight I guess I won't hear from you until after she leaves back for Vegas Tuesday Morning?"
Stevie sighed it was only Saturday he was sure they would make good use of their time. "She is staying at hotel, not one of your properties how do you even know her schedule?"
"Trade secret." she said sweetly.
"Okay you two need to go. I would tell you to think of me Stevie but that would be ungentlemanly."
Giving them one last sad look, Stevie left. As soon as the door shut Sam looked at his little sister. "Okay how did you know that?"
"I follow her on Instagram."
Sam laughed. "You know he is gonna spend all night worrying about how you know."
She laughed. "Exactly why I didn't tell him." Opening the drawer she pulled out a box cutter, but Sam took it away from her.
"I can do that in the morning, go home before it gets too late and text me to let me know you got there. He said ushering her to the door. "Good night and thanks."
She paused turning to him. "If you need any help taking the old appliances to the Women's League let me know."
Sam shook his head. The Women's League was a non profit organization to help the disadvantaged in their town. His mother was an active member and the president. "Mom and Mrs. Pillsbury are coming by to pick everything up on Monday. I understand they already have a waiting list."
"And you will go over Tuesday and give cooking instructions and food demonstrations and then feed the fifty or so extra men and women who show up no charge, my big brother is so giving." She said with a smile.
"I don't mind either, I enjoy doing it."
"And they enjoy having you, I will see you there, if not before. We know we won't see Stevie much before then."
Sam grimaced. "Don't remind me."
Stacy sighed. "Perhaps if we helped you, keep mom off your back dating just a bit won't hurt."
Sam smiled pulling her into a half hug. "It means a lot you would help me, and I might have to dip my toe in the dating pool again, maybe, but for now I'm gonna hold out a little bit longer. Mom seemed too pleased with herself tonight."
Stacy's piercing blue eyes like her father widened. "You think she picked your wife for you don't you?"
"Unfortunately yes."
"I don't suppose you have any idea who she is?"
"Not a clue, I wish I did then I could arm myself against it. What I do know it she might have been at the party tonight and I might have crossed paths with her, but that's all speculation. What i know is that she was there."
Stacy sighed. "I wonder who it is though, I mean Simon is Detective of the Police Department while Marley is a gifted child's psychologist. And Quinn is a Lawyer and Mike is a Professional Choreographer, each person matches the other."
"So you think she's picked some artist or gifted woman for me?"
"I want to say yes but then again who knows."
Sam sighed running his hands through his hair. "So basically I am screwed."
"Not for a while." Stacy said with a smirk.
Sam bust out laughing shaking his head, "Okay that is it, it's time for you to go. Get out of here, drives safe and I love you."
"I love you too big brother and happy birthday. May you have may more."
"Hopefully as a single man."
"Not likely, your days are now number." she said patting his back and leaving.
Sam turned with the boxed can opener and yawned. Opening the gifts and putting them away could wait. Setting the box on the kitchen table, he headed to the bedroom, pulling his shirt off as he did. He was tired and uncomfortable. Usually he wore Jeans and a Tee but he wore slacks and a collared button down with a sports coat to please his mother. He was just thankful he didn't wear a tie, that would be too much.
Opening the door to his bathroom, Sam was three feet in when he stepped in water. He glanced down and muttered angrily. Water trailed from the baseboard a few feet from him.
It was the wall behind the toilet that was wet, he assumed it was a busted pipe. He left the bathroom pulling out his phone and hitting speed dial. With a restaurant he never knew when he might need a plumber or electrician or any other service for that matter.
"Hudson and Hummel Plumbing and Auto answering service how can i help you?"
Sam recognized Carol Hudson's voice as soon as she answered, she basically ran both businesses for her son and husband.
"Good evening Mrs. Hudson-Hummel, this is Sam Evans and I was wondering if Burt could come and take a look at my place right away? I think a pipe burst."
"Is it at the restaurant?"
"It's in my apart- oh no it's in the bathroom above the restaurant storage room, please tell him I will be downstairs waiting." Sam said his thank yous and hung up the phone going to check the damage that he hoped wasn't there.
"Can't you guys wait til tomorrow or Monday to leave? You know I hate it when you go." Mercedes was standing outside of Casa de Serenidad with her brothers. Their suitcases were already inside of the luxury car they rented as they were both heading towards the airport.
Duncan pulled her to a hug. "I wish I could stay but I have to get to the ranch, the new calf and foal should be arriving any time and i have to be there."
"And I have to meet with my sponsor tomorrow or I would lil bit." Cameron said.
And if you stay you might be reminded of too many memories, so I am left alone. Mercedes thought to herself, "I know, I love you."
They both hugged her tight as they started walking to their car, only to stop and come back to her. Her face lit up. "You guys changed your minds?"
Duncan looked at her for a moment. "Sam seemed to think you weren't happy tonight. Merce you would tell us if there was a problem right?"
Mercedes felt her heart race and the mention of Sam's name. The last thing she needed was her brothers knowing how she felt about Sam. "Sam is mistaken I am fine."
Cameron sighed. "You know we are here for Merce even if we aren't here. I mean its pretty clear what we know about women could fit on a pin, but we can still help."
Mercedes looked at the sadness in her brother's face and felt so helpless. She could have happily wrung Bree's neck for what she did to Cam. "Some women, they can't see what's in front of them when they have something amazing."
"I would hate for you to fall prey to the Jones curse baby sis." Duncan said. Mercedes sighed angrily to herself. When she was finished with Bree, Duncan's ex wife Harmony would be next. Mercedes lifted her head up high. "I have to believe that things will change for the better. That they will work out in our favor."
"Well we pray that's true for you." Duncan said with a sigh. What he hadn't said was that for him and Cameron there was no hope, they lost their faith a long time ago. Hugging her again he passed her to Cameron who was waiting with open arms.
"Take care of yourself and stay safe.."
"You both do the same. Bye guys." She said sadly as she watched Cameron move to the driver's seat and Duncan get into the passenger seat. She always thought Cameron was the happiest he could ever be behind the wheel of a car.
It wasn't often that they could get together. Each Jones child busy with their own life. Both Duncan and Cameron had fled the moment they relationships ended. In that they had done what their father had done when their mother left had left him when Mercedes graduated high school.
The Jones' could turn a dime into a dollar, as her grandfather said often, but they weren't worth warm spit when it came to making their women stick around. Mercedes had been the first female in six generations and they thought after she was born that their luck had changed, so far it hadn't.
Turning to head inside she followed the well lit path through the bricked archway to the courtyard and then to the lobby of the hotel.
The Casa de Serenidad was her pride and joy. After her mother left, Mercedes father lost interest in the hotel that had been in the family for two generations. With Cameron and Duncan gone, the job of running the hotel had fallen to her. It was scary because she was just a freshman in college but with the staff helping her while she took classes and boosting her up, she had earned her Master's Degree in Business in 5 years. Once she graduated she fully took over and even though all she had was her degree and the questi to succeed she did quite well and in the last six years she brought the hotel back to its former glory. Though she had put her plans to travel the world on hold, she didn't regret it for a second.
Her heels clicked softly on the floor as her practiced eyes surveyed the area, making sure everything was in its place. Walking over to one of the loveseats she straightened out the throw pillows then headed to the front desk she smiled, it was her ritual to make sure everything was in order before she went off to bed.
"Hello Sunshine, everything is going well I see." One thing she had learned throughout the years was to always phrase a question as a positive statement.
"Yes Ms. Jones." Sunshine was a new hire, and overflowing with good cheer, she was a dreamer with a voice that was remarkable and Mercedes gave her a job until she was discovered and it was well worth it. She had a knack for soothing out and issues concerning their guest. She made Mercedes job really easy. "A number of guests at the Evans part stopped by to ask for information on the guest and banquet facilities. We gave them the gift bags you had prepared and they were all thankful and all to anxious to provide their mailing information."
"That is excellent." Mercedes said, The note from her offering 15 percent off their first stay for completing the form probably helped. Everyone loved a bargain.
"They were however disappointed that we are booked solid through the summer." Sunshine added.
"Thanks to efficient employees like you, we will stay that way."
The only reason Mercedes brother had a room was because she had known when Sam's party was scheduled and had reserved the suite far in advance. Another guest had a late check in Sunday afternoon so they could have stayed the night. "Well Good night Sunshine, as always I am a phonecall away if you need me."
"Good night Ms. Jones and sleep well."
"Thank you." Mercedes said, knowing the her sleep depended on whether or not she had the nightmare of Sam at the altar waiting for his bride, or the erotic one of Sam doing things to her body that left her breathless with desire. She dreaded both dreams. They were a painful reminder that what she wanted with Sam, she would never have.