I want to thank you guys for taking this journey with me. I have really begun to question myself as a writer and getting to practice on Samcedes is a fun escape for me. WIth life and some personal issues, drama I am not sure how many more stories I have left, I have been really discourgaged lately but its because of you I was able to pull through and finish this story. I hate leaving you all unfullfilled. Whether this is my last or not I want you to know I appreciate and love each and everyone of you.

The next day Mercedes was in a meeting when she received another call saying she had another delivery. Today had been particularly hard, seeing as she had been sick all morning, nothing she did could help ease the queasiness inside, and now she was dealing with another gift? It was all too much. She looked over to the head maid and sighed.

"I will be right back, I apologize."

"Take your time...do you think it's from him again?"

Mercedes shrugged. "I am not sure."

She made her way to the lobby and by the fifth step in she was shocked to see ten men and women, all holding a 20 by 30 poster of places around the world. A ski Chalet in Switzerland, a hidden cove on St. Thomas. A breath taking photo on the balcony of an exclusive resort and spa in Maui overlooking the Pacific Ocean and finally the Ritz in Paris.

A well dressed middle aged woman walked over to her. "My name is Cassandra July and I am the owner of Unique Destinations. I have a message for you."

Mercedes sighed. "Okay."

"The journey is important, but so is the destination. Choose one, or choose them all as I have chosen you to be my wife, as I have chosen you to continue the journey of a lifetime."

Mercedes snorted the words were so perfect and yet it was all an act, there was no way Harper would be doing this is he knew she was pregnant.

A prickling sensation ran up her spine as she stepped around Cassandra and moved to an enlarged photo. She the one of the Eiffel tower, she had always wanted to travel, always wanted to see the world but she had a responsibility and that was something she couldn't regret. But she never told Harper this, she never even told her brothers, the only one who knew of her desire to travel was Sam. But this was years ago there was no way he remembered all of that.

"Here is the brochures and my card. Let me know what you choose. I gotta say he was really romantic, I wish a man would do this for me."

"He-he came to your office?"

"No he called but still. Let me know."

Mercedes stared at the photos, she really wanted to believe Sam sent her the flowers, but she was too chicken to ask him.

The next day Mercedes sat behind the check in around the time the deliveries usually happened, and she truly didn't care how she looked. But then again she wasn't the only one. Several guests and staff stayed around the lobby to see what today would bring. And that included Henri. He smiled at her as if to say good luck. It was then four men walked in with a fifth man in the middle of them. Mercedes had been 80 percent sure Sam was behind all of this, and if it was then all her dreams were coming true. The man cleared his throat. "Ms. Jones I am from Motta's Fine Cut Diamonds, can we speak alone please?"

Mercedes nodded. "Yes sir, we can go to the conference room right here." She lead him to the room, her office was too far away and she was anxious.

From the inside of his jacket he removed a key and sat down lifting the briefcase with him. He unlocked it and Mercedes gasped seeing Diamonds, Emeralds, and Rubies all in different round, princess and emerald cut rings. She wasn't that experienced in ring buying or jewelry for that matter but she didn't think these rings were anything less than three carats.

"These are all A-1 clarity, all certified and flawless, he said they were just like you. Perfect in every way."

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip as she felt tears prick her eyes. She smiled as the man offered her his handkerchief. "Thank you." she said softly.

This right here had to be so expensive, Sam's restaurant was doing well, but he couldn't afford this, could he? She sighed, she wanted it to be him but it might not be, he wouldn't go to these lengths would he?

Al stood up after closing the cases. "He said you might have a hard time picking one, so he said at the right moment he will choose the perfect one, just as he chose you to be his wife. He also told me to tell you to hold on to your faith." He titled his hat and left the room. Mercedes wanted to believe this was Sam, wanted to believe that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him but she was afraid too, if she gave in then she would have to give in to the fear that he could

let her down.

Sam was busy, two of his waiters were down with the flu, but even working the floor and helping in the kitchen, he was able to spot Mercedes immediately. His eyes gazed from the top of her head down her to the soles of her heels and that feeling in the pit of his gut was instant. It shouldn't of surprised him and yet it did. He gave her a small nod and smile letting her know he would be with her soon. He looked down to the patron he was standing next to. The man had said that Sam's prime rib was dry and horrible and yet the entire meal had been finished off and now he wanted the plate credited so he didn't have to pay. Sam knew he was being taken advantage of and he didn't like it. But sadly he didn't have time to argue. He sighed to the make who looked to be in his late 30's. "I can comp you for half the meal."

The man frowned. "That is not acceptable."

"I said Half and next time it will be a fourth. You can take it or pay for the entire meal."

The man huffed. "I have eaten as some of the finest restaurants in the world and I have never been treated so rudely before I want to speak to your manager."

Sam laughed. "Dude I am the manager, owner and chef and as I said that's the deal, I don't care where you have eaten before, you don't eat an entire meal and demand to be comped because it was inedible. Now I will let your waiter know it's half off you have yourself a nice day."

He turned knowing he should have gone to the kitchen but he needed to see Mercedes, even though he knew she was familiar with every item he served, he used the guise of taking her to her seat and taking her order just to see her.

"Helo Mercedes."

She smiled towards him, a smile that still haunted his dreams. "Hi Sam."

He lead her to a table and pulled her chair out. "I see you are over being mad at me."

She shrugged. "I don't like to see us at odds with each other." She said honestly, he noticed her chewing her lip, it was a quirk he knew meant she was nervous, he remembered that look the first time he placed her on top of him… he shook his head not wanting to think about it. He was about to speak when the man from before came barging towards him.

"You got some nerve brushing me off in front of my girl then coming over here talking to some wh-"

Sam picked the beef man up off his feet by his shirt collar, the man outweighed him by at least 30 pound. Suddenly the entire restaurant was silent. The man squirmed, praying at Sam's clenched fist unsuccessfully.

"You listen and you better listen good. When I release you, you will apologize and then you will never, come in here again, do you understand me?"

The man swallowed and nodded. He staggered back clutching at his throat. Sam folded his arms. "I believe you forgot your apology."

The man cleared his throat looking at Mercedes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by my words I was just upset."

Sam looked over to the man's girlfriend. " You are welcome here anytime and your first meal is on the house. YOu didn't ask me but I know you can do better."

She nodded. "Thank you and I am sorry for this, I will take you up on the offer and the advice." She gave a weak smile and exiting the restaurant as the man turned trying to catch up with her. The restaurant sounded with applause but Sam was too focuses on Mercedes. "I am so sorry about that."

Mercedes stood. "He was bigger than you Sam."

"Maybe but I was madder."

She looked at him intently. "Why?"

Sam moved closer to her, he couldn't stop his hand from raising and brushing against the curve of her soft cheek. "I think we both know the answer to that."

"We do?" She asked with her eyes filled with hope.

"We do." His hand lingered a moment longer before he pulled away. "I have to get back to work, but enjoy your lunch."

She picked up her purse and smiled. "I should get back."

"But you didn't eat yet."

She smiled. "That's okay, I have what I came for." She moved closer kissing him on the cheek.

Sam smiled. "You do realize that kiss and what happened here is going to spread like wildfire right?"

She nodded. "I know, and you had better not let me down." SHe said walking away. Sam's gaze followed her every step of the way.

Mercedes mind had been going a mile a minute, she had hoped Sam would come tonight, hoped she was right about him, about them. She was sure, well almost sure that he was the one who had been romancing her. She smiled as she stared off into space. Laughter outside her office, snapped her out of her mind. She had been so busy going over the budget that was supposed to be approved yesterday. She just wanted to make sure that she had the figures right before sending it off.

She had just hit send when the door opened.

"Mercedes there's a problem with the lights in one of the reception halls."

"Which one?"

"The Matador Room?"

Mercedes sighed, that room hosted 30 people at the most and the party that had it early should have been down two hours ago. "The Spellman Party on had the room til six it's almost nine? What happened?"

Sunshine threw her hands up. "You know sometimes these parties get a little overboard."

Mercedes nodded. "Okay did you call maintenance?"

"Yes they will meet us there."

Mercedes sighed she really needed to get home, Sam would be waiting so she really hoped it was an easy fix. She opened the door to find that she didn't have to worry about Sam waiting for her at his place.

The crystal chandelier overhead threw soft light over the flower filled room, exact replicas of the travel posters were spread throughout the room. And standing in the middle was Sam, in a black tux playing the guitar. She closed the door not taking her eyes off of him. The song he played was one of her favorites, she recognized it immediately. She figured once he saw her he would stop but he kept playing and her heart melted as he started to sing.

"That Sunday morning choir calling, church doors open wide. That hallelujah shoot right through ya, make you feel alive. That key under the mat, you know right where it's at, it's waiting with the porch light on. Don't bother calling, no need for knocking, just come on home, some on home, my love is… Never gonna run dry, never gonna come up empty, now until the day I die, unconditionally. You know I'm always gonna be here for ya, no one's ever gonna love you more than God, your mama, and me, God, your mama, and me. Unconditionally, God, your mama, and me. Loud as shotgun, angels singing with the radio. Praying with you every mile down any dead end road. You can tell me every secret that you been keeping. I'll hold it, lock and key. Up with you all night, holding you all night, I never leave. You better believe my love is. Never gonna run dry, never gonna come up empty, now until the day I die, unconditionally. You know I'm always gonna be here for ya, no one's ever gonna love you more than God, your mama, and me, God, your mama, and me. Unconditionally, God, your mama, and me."

Mercedes watched as he finished singing and swallowed back as tears fell from her eyes. He put the guitar down and she moved closer to him. He reached out for her and pulled her into his arms kissing her deeply and passionately. Hands roaming under her sweater to touch the silk material of her dress. He pulled away from her placing his forehead against hers.

"God I have missed you Merce."

Mercedes closed her eyes. "Sam, I am so sorry-"

His hands went to her lips to stop her from speaking.

"No, I am the one who should be sorry, who is sorry. I am glad you have the courage to make me see you, I should have known when I started having dreams about you that I had deeper feelings for you."

She pulled away from him and glanced up at him shyly. "And what are your feelings now?"

Sam smiled down to her. "I love you, I am in love with you."

"Sam," she said breathlessly as tears pooled around her eyes before falling. "I need to yell you something."

Sam hugged her tightly, "Baby please don't cry, I promised that I would never make you cry again."

"Its just…"

Sam shook his head as he pulled away from her. "I know you want to say something but I can't think of a better time to do this."

He knelt down to one knee taking her hand in his. "Mercedes Jones you are the most incredible woman I have ever met. You are so giving and caring and loving and I am a lucky man, a better man having you in my life. My beautiful love, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Mercedes gasped looking at him. "I'm pregnant Sam."

Sam smiled up to her. "Really?"

She nodded tears steady falling. He squeezed her hand. "I so want to get up and hug you right now but you haven't answered my question."

"You still want to marry me?"

"More than anyone in this world."

She nodded looking at him. "Yes! Yes!"

He stood and pulled her into a hug kissing her deeply. Pulling away he placed his hand on her stomach as she looked around. "I can't believe you did all this just for me."

"I wanted this moment to be perfect for you. Just like you made my life perfect before i messed everything up. I spent all my freetime learning that song."

"It was perfect, you know I love Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line. It reminded me of the first time you played for me, I never forgot, it's one of my most cherished memories."

He nodded. "I was trying to show off and you know that was something i never did, I guess even back then subconsciously i knew you were the one for me. I just didn't realize it it fully, until now."

"Are you really happy about the baby Sam?"

"Happy? I am estactic! I was gonna suggest we go home and start making babies so this is just one step down."

He smiled as he placed the ring on her finger and and she gasped. "Do you like it? You can get another one if you want, I picked it out myself, I thought the pink diamond was unique just like you, I mean I haven't given you anything else so I wanted this to be perfect."

She wiped away the tears and stared down to her hand at the pink emerald cut diamond but then looked at him. "What are you talking about?"

"You gave and I took, I finally realized it that night you tossed me out of your place. I realized that my so called freedom was nothing if you weren't in my life. Your love and how giving you are it humbled me but it also shamed me. You gave me everything including your innocence and all I did was take."

"Sam, you don't get it do you? Every time you touched me, smiled at me, every moment we had was a gift that I feared i would never get. And finally you gave me your love, you are giving me you. Nothing material can ever beat that."

He hugged her tightly. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

She nodded holding him closer. "I feel the same way. And just so you know this ring, its perfect. Everything is perfect."

"Well good because it was Sunshine and Henri who helped me. I think Henri is warming up to me. We are going to have the dinner he cooked later, because you and I both know you didn't have lunch. I say later, because we have to go see my parents, and then call your mom and dad. We can tell everyone else tomorrow."

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip, she wasn't sure she was ready to see his mom. "What if your mom is upset because I am not the one she picked?"

"Mercedes, you are the one I picked. Mom loves you anyways you will see."

"Maybe we can wait until the morning they might be sleep?"

"Neither she nor my dad go to bed until 11 they watch the news. Plus let's be honest tomorrow morning you will be waking up so satisfied that anyone who looks at you will know exactly why."

She blushed. "Really? You never let us stay together past two."

Sam gave her a look that let know know all the things he was thinking on doing to her. "I figure we are engaged now so it doesn't matter if people talk."

She beamed. "Well lets go tell your parents."

Mercedes and Sam walked hand in hand to his parents house. She stood nervously as he rang the doorbell. He knew he dad would come to the door first, not letting his mom do it. Looking over to Mercedes he kissed her forehead.

"Stop worrying, she will adore you, they both already do."

"Sam I hope so. I really admire your mom and you know I love your dad."

Sam nodded. "Well I know one thing, she is going to be so surprised. For the first time I got the best of her. I picked my own wife."

"Sam can we wait to tell them about the baby until my appointment tomorrow?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah we can, it will be better with a picture anyways."

The door opened and Dwight looked from Sam to Mercedes. "Sam, Mercedes is everything okay?"

"Everything is perfect Dad, where is mom?"

"In the living room, come on in."

He moved to the side and patted Sam on the back before shutting the door. Sam walked with Mercedes to the living room and he smiled.

"Hey mom! I would like-"

He couldn't even get the words out as Mary squealed jumping up from her seat like she was picked for the price is right. She pulled Mercedes in a hug bouncing as Dwight and Sam stared at her.

"Mary, baby let the woman breath and tell me what is going on?"

"Can't you tell Dwight? They are getting married! This is so wonderful, have you set a date? Oh we have to have it at the hotel this is going to be amazing."

Mercedes shook her head, "Not yet, he just asked me less than half an hour ago."

"And we are the first to know? Oh everyone is going to be so happy about this!"

Mercedes looked at her. "You-, you're really happy about this?"

"Of course I am. I will have another beautiful daughter in law who is talented, gifted and loves my son, what more could I ask for?"

Sam looked at his mother. "You think Mercedes is talented and gifted?"

"Of course I do Sam, don't you?"

"Yes, no doubt about it."

"That's what I thought. Now come on lets all sit down so Mercedes can tell me every detail of how he asked you."

Mary sat on the Sofa with Mercedes next to her and Sam next to Mercedes as Dwight sat on his recliner. Sam watched his mother as Mercedes told her all about tonight. She beamed with pride, reaching over to tap Dwight on the leg as Mercedes told her about the travel posters and flowers and engagement rings. Then his father grabbed a few tissues for the women as Mercedes told them about how he actually proposed with her favorite song.

"I could keep you all night talking about this Mercedes, but your parents need to hear the good news too. So I expect you both here tomorrow night for dinner at 7. The whole family will come so we can celebrate." She stood along with her husband and walked them to the door, hugging Mercedes and then Sam one more time.

As they left Sam glanced at the closed door. "Something is a little off here, she was way too happy about this."

Mercedes glanced at the door. "Why do you say that?"

"Well it's something that Stacy said to me once. A woman will do one thing while her objected is something else. Mom was trying to push the designer on me she even went to you to see if you could help her get to me, but now she knows we are engaged and she is as happy as if she hand picked you herself."

"When your mom was in my office she told me that I was gifted and talented, that my talents lay as a nurturer just like you."

Sam turned towards her. "Why didn't you tell me that?"

"Because at the time I didn't think it mattered we both thought she had someone else in mind for you and I was practically in tears after that. But SAm if you are right about all this then that means…"

"THat means that you were the one my mom picked for me the whole time."

Mercedes beamed. "Sam you have no idea how that makes me feel, I was so afraid that i wouldn't measure up...but to know that she wanted me for you that means that world to me.

Sam could have gone on a tangent about how his mom had manipulated them both, but seeing that smile on Mercedes face just put things in perspective.

"So you are happy that she schemed and tricked us?"

"The happiest. That means that despite the Jones Curse, and the fact that I am not as small as other women she thinks that I am the perfect match for you. ANd that i can make you happy."

Sam snorted. "Baby first of all I love every delicious inch of you which I will show you as soon as we get home. Second there is no curse you are way too good of a person for that. ANd third we will make each other happy. Again in a way that I will show you when we get home."

SHe smiled. "Well then Mr. Evans it's time for you to take me home isn't it?"

Inside the house Mary sighed watching SAm and Mercedes make it to his car. Dwight came up behind her.

"Well it seems you truly have a knack for putting couples together don't you?"

"What can I say I am gifted. I can't believe everything everything worked out as we planned. I won't lie though, I was really relieved to learn SAm actually had a leak and that the pipe really did need to be replaced. Oh and Marley and Stacy, even Quinn, having them help without even asking or them knowing what I was doing, it was all so perfect. Henri and Cam and even Duncan played key roles in this but in the end they knew it was for the best. Or when I explained to them it was the agreed. And hey at least Burt can rest easy knowing he didn't doupe Sam for no reason."

"You got lucky."

"I got blessed. Can you believe Sam actually thinks he pulled a fast one on me? Though he might not be too happy when he realizes what i did."

"Even if he does he won't think that you faked the leak or that you made the reservation at the hotel. You really are a mastermind dear."

Mary smiled as she sighed deeply watching the car drive off. "Did you ever have any doubt dear?"

She turned towards her husband. "I wonder how long it will be before they tell us that she is pregnant?"

"Pregnant?"

"A woman knows dear, get ready granpa."

"You don't think that's why Sam asked her?"

"Nope, Henri said she told him after he proposed. He was so happy he about both her and being a dad."

"Well looks like Sam has really grown up."

Mary nodded. "I never doubted he would."