Hi everyone here is the latest chapter. To any Sam & Mercedes fans reading this story I tried to write some Samcedes moments so I hope did the justice, because I've never written for them before, I've only ever done Finchel. Anyway this chapter is a kicking off chapter of sorts for Finn and the gang. As always Ryan Murphy & FOX own everything except my original characters. So please read, review, rewind, then read and review again…enjoy!
Los Angeles, California
Finn had never been so nervous in his entire life, this moment had to go his way otherwise he would have failed once again. Here he was sitting in a small café in some upper-class suburb of Los Angeles with Sam and Puck waiting on Mercedes Jones to show up. Finn had managed to contact Mercedes a couple of days ago and told her that he and Sam were going to be in LA and did she want to meet up as he had something important to ask. The idea of not only Finn but also Sam travelling all the way from Lima to LA to ask her something intrigued Mercedes greatly. She organised with Finn for them to meet up at one of her favourite coffee spots. So here the three of them were sitting in a trendy, quaint little coffee shop waiting to see if for once the fates are in their favour.
Every time the little bell above the front door would ring all three of them would whip around hoping it was Mercedes. After every false alarm of the wrong person entering, Puck would simply let out a loud huff and scrunch his napkin up even further than he already had. Meanwhile poor Sam kept checking his reflection in any reflective surface he could find, as well as asking both Puck and Finn if he or his breath smelt bad.
Just as Sam was once again going to ask Puck about his breath, Puck pipped him at the post and said, "I swear to God Sam! If you ask me one more time about your breath, I'm going to stab you with this fork!"
"Sorry! It's just this is the first time since basically graduation that I've seen Mercedes; and if Finn's plan actually works out we very well maybe able to start something again, seeing as we will both be in the same city this time" Sam said as he once again slyly checked his reflection using the reflective surface of a nearby spoon.
Finn patted his blonde friend on the back to reassure him, "Don't worry Sam. Once you see Mercedes it will be like old times. Just before you get into all the mushy stuff, let me talk to Mercedes first about our plan, okay?"
"Sure. Puck and I can go do something I suppose while you get Mercedes on board," agreed Sam.
"Hey! Why can't I be part of the conversation? I don't want to sit at the kids table with Sam!" Puck pouted.
"Puck, this is my plan okay! I will be doing the talking and Sam came because he knows Mercedes better than anyway else, so he can help me smooth things over. Remind me why you came again?" Finn replied to Puck trying to emphasise the importance of this meeting.
"I came because no bro in their right mind throws away the chance of a road trip with his favourite bro's! A road trip or a bro-trip as it's called in the bro-world is an important right of passage for any bro" Puck answered dismissively while looking at both of his friends disbelievingly that they didn't see the importance of the bro rules as he did.
"Anyway just let me do the talking, okay guys?" Finn said while looking directly at both of the guys sitting next to him so they were sure to get his point.
Sam and Puck both quickly agreed to let Finn do all the talking during their meeting. After about another half hour or so of waiting and Sam asking about his appearance the guys once again heard the bell above the coffee shop door jingle. Just like the times before all three heads whipped around to witness who was entering the coffee shop. But unlike the times before when it was a random patron entering the establishment, this time it was two young women. One of the ladies was a confident looking, glamorous African American and the other was a bubbly blonde who looked right at home amongst the other Californians. It took a moment for Sam, Puck and Finn to realise that they were looking at Mercedes and Brittany standing just inside the doorway of the coffee shop.
Brittany was the first to spot Sam and the guys sitting at a table on the other side of the coffee shop. Every head in the place turned at the sound of Brittany yelling at the top of her lungs, "SAMMY!" The guys all stood as the two former gleeks made their way over to the table. Hugs and kisses were exchanged between the friends before they all sat down at the table.
"Wow! Thanks for coming guys. Especially you Britt I wasn't expecting to see you" Finn greeted his two friends.
"Well when Mercy said Sammy and Finn were coming for a visit at first I didn't believe her because I thought the Glee Club teleportation machine only worked sending people to and from Lima and New York. But then she reminded me that you guys probably took a plane like Lord Tubbington and I did. Also I just wanted to say hi as well…So Hi!" Britt said in her usual confusing and bubbly way.
"Hi to you too Britt. What about you Mercedes? How are you?" Finn greeted back.
"I'm doing mighty fine! Loving me some Californian sunshine and soaking up the warm weather. Not that I don't like social calls from three handsome gentleman but you have me more than intrigued Hudson. It's not everyday you get a call saying your two favourite white boys are going to be travelling to your neck of the woods; with a juicy, not to asked over the phone question that only yours truly can answer. So don't leave me hangin' Hudson and spill, also what's Puck doing here?" Mercedes quipped in her trademark sassiness.
Puck let out a loud groan, "Hasn't anyone here read the bro-bible or the bro-book?" After witnessing everyone's blank stares and confusion, Puck just continued talking. "Rule #2845 – States that if a bro should ever go on a road trip he must be accompanied by his best bro's and whoever is the head guy's best bro get's first dibs on riding shotgun."
"In other words, Puck was scared he was going to be lonely without us" teased Finn.
"Shut up Finn! I can't help it that I'm a social creature!"
"Anyway boys! Let's get back on track here. Wasn't there a question you wanted to ask me?" Mercedes interrupted the teasing between the two friends before the conversation could get anymore off track.
Finn nervously took an extremely long drink of water from the jug at the table, trying desperately to compose himself enough to start the conversation. This conversation needed to go well cause Finn was sure that this plan could mean great things for all of them.
"Okay, first can I ask you to let me get through all of what I wanted to ask you before you comment…deal?"
"You got yourself a deal white boy, now hurry up!" Mercedes was growing tired of all this beating around the bush and just wanted Finn to hurry up and ask her whatever it is he was going to ask her.
"Fine Here goes! I remember last time we saw each other you were lamenting about your label's failures in producing and also promoting you and your album. If that is still how you feel then I have something I believe you'll be extremely interested in. What if I told you I could get your album made the exact way you the artist want it made. It would be your music, your sound and your vision all done on state of the art equipment in a brand new studio."
"I'm interested, keep talking!" urged Mercedes
"Does the name Martha Bennett mean anything to you?" Finn continued with his question.
"Hell yes! Martha Bennett means something to me. That woman had some killer pipes and a hell of a lot of soul for a white lady. It was so sad to hear of her passing, I would have loved to do a duet with her. I also have her iconic Delta Road album on repeat on my iTunes playlist."
"Well I know her daughter and she just so happens to be quite the fan of yours. Now I've been told that Eleanor Knight is planning on starting her own label and has decided to let yours truly be a partner in this venture. But we both decided that to get this venture off the ground we need new and brilliant artists we can showcase to the world. Now I know that I'm asking you to take a huge risk in leaving your current label and signing with us, but I believe with our unique business and creative people we could turn you into one this countries brightest rising stars. So what do you think?" Finn ended his spiel and waited patiently for Mercedes to say something.
"I don't know Finn, I mean my current situation with my label here in LA isn't ideal but it's comfortable you know. I just wish they would take a chance on me and stop pushing my album release further and further back."
"Mercedes let me tell you something that I've come to realise over the past couple of months. I realise that I am a pretty damn good teacher and I also really enjoy teaching kids about music. But did you notice I used the word enjoy, I'm not passionate about teaching like I am with creating music. Doing something without passion is not only a disservice to me it's also a huge disservice to the students. I realised to fully live my life in whatever time I have remaining I need to get out of my comfort zone and at least try and grab for that elusive brass ring everybody keeps talking about. Cause I know that you know, that Kurt, Blaine and Rachel weren't the only talented people in that Glee Club. So why should they be the only ones striving for their passion while the rest of us remain content in our mediocrity." Finn tried valiantly to persuade Mercedes.
"Who would produce my album?" questioned Mercedes.
"I would and also if your looking for any new songs I maybe able to help you with that as well. Here take a look." Finn handed over one of his leather song writing notebooks for Mercedes to peruse. He wondered if that feeling of vulnerability every time someone new looked at his songs would pass, but before he could find an answer Mercedes interrupted him.
"Finn these are amazing! Why didn't you tell anybody that you could write songs like these?" an astonished Mercedes asked.
"Because I was insecure. I didn't think I was good enough at music, just like I didn't think I was good enough for Rachel and a lot of other things. But that's what this is all about for me. I'm sick and tired of living a life where I'm constantly hiding a part of myself. It's tiring and life is tiring enough as it is without adding to it. Also being able to get a front row seat to one of my best friends fulfilling her lifelong dream and to be able to say that I was there when Mercedes Jones hit the big time is a huge part of it as well."
"Now you're just trying to butter me up Mr Hudson!" Mercedes smirked at Finn.
"Your right I am. Is it working?" Finn suavely commented back.
Maybe! And what the hell is this crap your spouting about not being good enough? Because the Finn Hudson I know is one hell of a dude. Your tough, loyal, funny and now also apparently talented as hell; and if people cant see that, or even if Rachel can't see that, then you don't need em' Finn. It's easy to feel not good enough! You think it's easy for me in the industry I'm in. I know I don't exactly look like the classic pop or r 'n' b princesses they show on MTV. But I am who I am and just like Rachel I'm a star and no little twiggy blonde bitches are going to keep me from my dream!"
"Who cares if your not stick thin like the others, true music, iconic music is about the sound, the emotion those are the things that resonate with the audience. There have been many famous plus size singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Mama Cass Elliot and even Adele. Talent speaks louder than any fashion choice, Mercedes. Do you think an artist like Lady GaGa would have the success she's had if she didn't have the talent to back it up? No! She'd just be another eccentric performer who could only draw a crowd in the back of some art gallery. Do you think in fifty years people are going to remember the names of all the sexy little bubble gum princesses? Cause I don't, yet we still remember the names and voices of these ladies long after their careers." Finn explained to Mercedes.
"That's why you always be one of my boys Finn! But I'm still not sure about this deal"
"Take your time, just know that I believe in you and your talent and my partner Eleanor believes in you too. So we fly back tomorrow afternoon, you think you might have an answer for us by then?"
"I think so, I'll talk to you then"
Just then loud laughing at the table beside them interrupted Mercedes and Finn's conversation. Both of them turned and witnessed Brittany laughing her head off at Sam doing a series of impressions. Puck was the first to notice that Finn and Mercedes had finished talking, "Hey Finn! Britt's said we just had to check out Hollywood Boulevard before we leave. Want to check it out?"
"You'll like it Finn. Can you believe they actually allow people to just write their names all the way along there? I did that once at home and my mum made me spend an hour cleaning it." Brittany explained in her usual way.
"Sounds like a plan, let's go. You coming Sam?" Finn said jumping up and grabbing his coat.
"Um! No if it's okay with Mercedes I thought I might spend some time catching up with her" Sam looked at Mercedes hoping against hope that she wasn't doing anything and wanted to hang out with him.
"Sure that sounds fun! You know I always love hanging out with you Sammy!" Mercedes replied happily.
"Okay you crazy kids don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Puck said while winking at the embarrassed pair of Sam and Mercedes.
"We'll see you back at the hotel Sam. You remember how to get back right?" worried Finn.
"Sure do and even if I do have any trouble, I've got Los Angeles best and most attractive tour guide to help me" flirted Sam.
"Who me?" a blushing Mercedes flirtatiously asked.
"Yes you! I don't see any other sexy ladies standing around here," Sam said in his best Sean Connery voice.
Mercedes just started laughing loudly while ushering her friends out of the coffee shop, "Always the charmer Sam! Come on let's go have some fun."
As Finn, Puck and Brittany were hopping into a waiting taxi, Finn could hear Sam doing his best Matthew McConaughey impression in response to Mercedes. Finn smiled to himself because at least some of his friends seemed to be on the right track to getting back together. Finn's vision of Sam and Mercedes disappeared into the distance as the cab; Brittany, Puck and himself were in drove off down the road.
Finn and Puck wearily trudged through the door of the hotel and slumped down on the nearest couch. It had been a very long day from meeting up with Mercedes and Brittany for coffee then partaking of a tour of LA hotspots, Brittany style. Brittany took the boys first down to Hollywood Boulevard to check out all the famous names on the walk of fame. They even took some touristy snaps of them with different movie characters outside the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
The group's time checking out Hollywood Boulevard was cut short when the extremely creepy guy in an Elmo costume kept on asking Britt if she wanted to find his ticklish spots, because he was a Tickle-Me Elmo. Finn and Puck had to pull naïve Brittany away from tickling Elmo, before they went and complained to the person supervising the street actors and performers. The supervisor didn't have a clue what the three young people were talking about and told them that they didn't have an Elmo character working today.
Just then loud sirens could be heard as three police cars came screaming around the corner and came to a screeching halt a few yards from Finn, Puck and Britt. As the police came piling out of the police cars they went charging straight for the Elmo that they just finished complaining about. When Elmo saw the police on his tail he took off as fast as he could while wearing a full body Elmo suit. The Gleeks could hear the police calling out for Elmo to stop which he, Elmo completely ignored. So one of the police officers chasing Elmo shot Elmo in the back with his Taser gun. The charge exerted into Elmo from the Taser gun knocked the actor down onto the ground where his head proceeded to fly off from his convulsions right in front of a group of Girl Guides selling cookies. Finn and Puck would probably being hearing the shrieks of those traumatised young girls for weeks.
After all that excitement the trio decided on a change of pace and readily agreed when Brittany said they should go back to her apartment. Once they arrived at Britt's apartment she proceed to show them a three and a half hour slide show of Lord Tubbington at different locations around Los Angeles. It was during the third hour where Lord Tubbington was learning to surf on a beach in Malibu, that Puck and Finn decided to call it a night. Even though Britt's was adamant they needed to see the slide of Lord Tubbington meeting his favourite actor, Leo DiCaprio at a Laker's Game.
Finn let out a sigh as he got himself more comfortable in the comfy couch after throwing his shoes into the corner of the room. He looked over and noticed Puck was staring at him from his seat on the other couch.
"What?" Finn wondered.
"Are you finally going to tell me what exactly happened as we were leaving Britt's?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Puck?"
"I'm talking about…
Finn and puck had just grabbed their jackets and were headed for the door before they stopped to thank their host for her hospitality. They both thanked Britt for showing them around LA during the day.
"Thanks for showing us around today…. um…um…um" Finn said looking at the blonde he had known for years with a confused expression.
"What I mean to say is it was good to see you again…" for the life of him, he couldn't remember Brittany's name. Finn knew who she was and remembered every memory they had together but for some reason couldn't remember her name. It was like he could see her name clear as day in his head but it somehow got lost on the way to his mouth.
"What Finn meant is it's always a pleasure hanging out with you Brittany" Puck thankfully helped Finn out by finishing his sentence and putting added emphasis on the blonde former Cheerio's name. When Finn heard Puck say Brittany is was like a light bulb went off in his head. Of course her name was Brittany, he knew that, he'd always known that. So why couldn't he remember that a few moments ago?
"Yes as always BRITTANY we had fun hanging out. Sorry I guess I'm just really tired and probably still jetlagged from the trip." Finn tried to apologise without showing his hand too much.
"…That's what I'm talking about" Puck finished explaining to Finn.
Finn let out and exaggerated snort of derision, "So what! I forgot Britt's name for like two seconds. Everyone has a forgetful moment every now and then."
"Yeah like when there sixty-five! And that wasn't the only time, remember a few weeks back at the garage?"
Finn was in the back of Burt's Auto finishing off a customer's car, while Puck was lying down on the couch in the main office reading the latest Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Both of the guys heard the sensor going off at the front of the shop indicating a customer had entered. So Finn wiped his hands on a rag as best as possible and made his way to the front of the store.
Standing patiently at the front counter was one of Burt's loyal customer's who had been taking his car to Burt's shop for the past twelve or so years. Seeing as he was a loyal customer and a former player as well as generous donator to the McKinley High Titans Football program, Finn recognised Bill Huffanutter right away.
"Ah! Mr Huffanutter! Nice to see you again" Finn said politely to the customer.
"Finn my boy! How many times have I told you to call me, Bill? And how's post High School life treating you? You know the Titan's just aren't the same team this year without you and Puckerman in the starting side."
At the sound of his name Puck ventured out of the office and stood beside Finn at the front counter.
"Mr Huffanutter! Long time no see!" Puck cheerily greeted one of the football teams past players.
"Puckerman, you work here now as well?"
"Nah! I'm just here keeping my boy Finny-D Company while he works his grease monkey magic on these fine automobile's"
"So anyway I'm sure you're a busy man Bill, so I'll just pull up your details on the computer here and then we'll go get your car for you." Finn said to Bill trying to maintain his professionalism.
As Puck and Bill kept talking Finn went over to the computer to use the system to find out the details about Bill's car. Finn stared and stared at the computer screen. Had Burt changed the system on the computer without telling him? That must be it, how else could he explain why he could no longer remember how to use a program he'd been using for years. It wasn't like it was the hardest program in the world to use to begin with; it used to take him, give or take five clicks of the mouse to fully find all the details of a customer's car. Now as Finn stared at the computer screen willing his mind to remember, the program may well as been written in ones and zeroes.
Puck looked over at Finn wondering what was taking his friend so long to find Bill's details. He saw Finn staring at the screen with a look of utter puzzlement on his face, which confused Puck as Finn had been using the Customer Detail Program at Burt's for years. Realising his friend was getting anxious and stressed about his confusion with the program, Puck decided to help his best bud out.
Puck walked over to the computer and said, "Why don't I get the details up on the computer here and Finn you go out back and bring Bill's car around" Puck had spent so much time at Burt's Auto with Finn it was like he did actually work there. He was also fortunate that during one of the times that they were short-staffed Finn had shown him how to use the front computer, to help out.
Just as Finn was walking off into the back Puck whispered to him, "It's the red Ford Bronco, the keys are the ones with the Titans for life keychain."
Finn whispered back a quick, "Thanks Dude!" before once again heading into the back.
Puck was just finishing up the transaction of payment for services with Bill as they heard Finn pull up out front in the red Ford Bronco. The two young men watched Bill hop into his truck and start the engine up with a loud roar.
"Ah! She sounds perfect! Brilliant work as always Finn" Bill called out from the cab of his truck.
"No worries just changed your air filter and a couple of spark plugs as well as top up all the fluids and gave you a tune as well as a wheel balance. She's as good as new" Finn now seemingly over his episode explained the service to Bill.
Finn and Puck stood there and watched Bill drive off but at the last minute Bill hung is head out the window and yelled back to the two former footballers. "GO TITANS!"
"GO TITANS!" both Finn and Puck yelled back.
"…See so you can't tell me that's nothing's going on, and if you're still going to deny it I could give you more examples if you want." An extremely worried Puck said to Finn.
Finn sat back on the couch and tiredly rubbed his temples, he really didn't want to have this conversation. Not because Puck couldn't be trusted but because in some warped way if he talked about it that would mean it would be real. Even though his test results still hadn't come back yet, Finn wasn't ready for it to become real. But in saying all that it was eating him up inside keeping all these emotions inside. He needed to tell someone and there was Puck wanting to know and who better than someone who was there in Georgia.
"You know how I was late to the Battle of the Bands?" Puck had a hard time hearing the question as Finn said it in barely a whisper.
"Yeah"
"Well I was in Columbus at the hospital there getting my tests done. It was the closest place I could find near Lima that had a decent oncology department, as was as, also still far enough away that nobody would recognise me. Also nobody I know or my mother knows works at Columbus General Hospital." Finn explained to Puck.
"Why didn't you call me dude? I would've of went with you. You shouldn't have had to go alone. So did they tell you anything?" an emotional Puck asked his friend a myriad of questions.
"I just needed time to myself I guess and Puck I greatly appreciated everything you've done for me. As for the tests…I'm still waiting on my results to come back. The doctor did say that it's extremely rare for Brain Tumours to reappear again in the brain. But if anything shows up in the tests I have to go back and get an MRI or a CT scan so he can know more."
"I don't know dude…I seriously don't know. I thought this was all over after we left Georgia." Puck said while subconsciously running his hand continually through his Mohawk.
"It is what it is, I guess. That's why I'm so hells bent on making something worthwhile happen in my life. You're forced into revaluating your life and your decisions because your not sure if you have days, couple of months or a year. That's why I need for this plan for us and Mercedes to work out, cause I don't want to die knowing my life meant nothing" Finn tried his best to explain his feelings to Puck.
"First of all, you don't need to try, your life is already meaningful. It's meaningful to me, it's meaningful to everyone you've helped in New Directions. Is there any decisions you regret?"
"Are there any decisions I regret, hell there are plenty! I regret letting other people have so much sway over me for so long. I regret not trying harder in school. I regret not being a better brother, son or friend. But my biggest regret is not marrying Rachel. I don't regret sending her to New York but I do regret doing it while she was still Rachel Berry and not Rachel Hudson." Explained Finn.
"What are you talking about? You were a great son, brother and friend. You were always looking out for Kurt and stopped him from getting bullied. You spend more time hanging out with your mum, than any normal male human being I've ever seen. As for being a good friend it's I who should be begging for your forgiveness not the other way round, okay! I don't usually say stuff like this Finn, but you're an amazing inspiration to me. Your humility, kindness and forgiveness as well as your ability to see the best in people even when they don't deserve it…like me. If I could be half the man you are Finn, I would die a happy man. Also what I told you in Georgia still stands buddy, I'm with you all the way in this you're my wingman, my brother, so whatever you need, day or night I'm just a phone call away."
"You already are a good man Puck! Just that your willing to try and become a better person makes you a better man than most people in Lima. Also you don't need my forgiveness Puck because I've forgiven you for everything a long time ago. As for you standing by me, the same goes for you brother and also I wouldn't have it any other way. Now come on let's get some sleep especially since I doubt Sam will be home any time soon."
Both Puck and Finn got up off the couch and looked at each other and realised there were tears in each of their eyes. The two just smiled at each other and gave the other a quick man-hug before walking to their respective rooms. Just as Puck reached his bedroom door he called out, "It's inevitable!"
"What is?" questioned Finn.
"Rachel one day becoming Rachel Hudson! That new bloke's got nothing on my best friend. Oh! And Finn I'm coming next time you go to the doctors no arguments!" Puck said with all the sincerity in the world.
"You got it Goose!" Finn replied before walking into his room and closing the door. Just as Puck was doing the same he called out one last comment over his shoulder, "Night Mav!"
The day had been interesting for Sam and Mercedes as well. After they left Finn, Britt and Puck at the coffee shop, Mercedes gave Sam her own personal tour of LA. The pair did everything from checking out the Hollywood sign to riding basically every ride at Coney Island. Now here they were capping the day off with dinner at Monteith's an extremely busy restaurant created by a popular chef from Canada. When Mercedes told Sam about the chef's and restaurants Canadian heritage, Sam became excited and told Mercedes how he must tell Finn about this place as Finn was apparently a huge fan of anything Canadian.
So here they were the former couple now friends sitting across from each other in a semi-romantic setting. Their designated waiter had just finished taking their orders and had now left them in their own unique bubble. The conversation flowed freely between the pair, as it always did and they talked about everything from Glee Club to how much of a crime against nature it was for that old man to be wearing speedos at the beach.
Of course Sam being Sam brought laughter into the conversation whenever possible. Like right now as he was recreating a scene from the Jim Carrey movie, Ace Ventura by putting the asparagus sticks that came as hors d'oeuvres all at once in his mouth and saying the classic line, "Do I have something in my teeth?" which was met by Mercedes raucous laughter. Until the couple were told to quiet down by an elderly, uptight, fussy couple sitting near them. Which just resulted in them snickering even more much to the annoyance of the elderly couple. Sam loved to watch Mercedes laugh because when she laughed it was like she was laughing with her whole body. Sam thought that if that was the case, she laughed with the same all or nothing fierce attitude she brought to everything else in her life.
Right at that moment Sam looked across at Mercedes who had a large beaming smile on her face and her eyes were glittering from the candlelight. At that moment, Sam couldn't have told you if five minutes had passed or five hours, right then time and it's meaning were utterly irrelevant. Even though they were supposed to be there as just friends, Sam for the life of him in that moment couldn't understand why. If it meant he could call Mercedes his girlfriend again Sam would've packed up there and then and moved to LA; and done anything from busking to selling surfboards if it meant he could spend every moment like this. That's why in that moment without giving it a second thought, he leaned across the table and kissed Mercedes on the mouth. A stunned Mercedes did nothing at first, but once she regained her bearings she couldn't help herself but kiss the boy who captured her heart. After once again being brought out of the moment by the elderly couple sitting near them the amorous pair separated and once again composed themselves.
"Sam what are we doing?" Mercedes asked coyly.
"I thought I was kissing a beautiful woman" Sam tried to flirt with Mercedes.
"No I'm serious! I'm not going to lie and say I don't love you or have feelings for you, but at the end of the day you live in Lima and I live in LA."
"I'm not going to tell you that I have the answers, because I don't but even if I am in Lima and you're here…so what! I cant speak for Rachel but I can for Finn because I've seen what separating yourself from the person who matters most to you in the world does to a person. So I guess what I'm saying is for me, I don't care if there's two miles or two thousand miles between us, I want to be with you. If that means long distance, so be it, or I could even move here…but in the end, what I want the most is you," Sam said sincerely and honestly.
"I feel the same way…but I can't ask you to move to a different state just for me" an emotional Mercedes answered back.
Sam got a glint in his eye as he formed a scheme in his mind, "What if I didn't have to move to a different state…well kind of?"
"What are you talking about?" Mercedes was confused how could they be together if one of them didn't move locations.
"What I mean is and this is me not trying to pressure you or anything, but what if you took Finn up on his offer? You could move to New York City and make what I know is going to be a kickass album. Also included in this plan would be moving to New York as well for our band. So maybe we could have it all you doing an amazing album with Finn, me rocking out with my buddies and best of all getting to see your beautiful face everyday."
"I don't know Sam! I just don't want to throw away a record deal I already have for something I'm not sure on." Mercedes tried to explain.
"I don't think Finn would have presented you with this idea if it wasn't a valid option. From what you've told me your current situation is basically sitting around waiting for something to happen. Well something's happened, it might not be exactly what you planned out but isn't that what's exciting, the unexpected.
Finn's latest thing is quotes and I heard him mention these the other day, trying and not succeeding is not failure; it is part of the process of discovering what works. Isn't that your exact situation right now, you need to discover what works and obviously your current situation isn't working otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. So why not take a leap and see if taking that chance can be a good thing and set your career soaring. Here's another I'm going to succeed because I'm crazy enough to think I can. All the successful people in the world even Rachel all have one thing in common, none of them let anyone tell them no. Sure they got rejected or refused but they didn't let that defeat them, instead they just kept on pushing forward.
The Mercedes I know wouldn't sit back and let some yuppie silver spoon Californian know-it-all tell her to sit back and put her career on the backburner. NO! The Mercedes I know would have told that jackass…" Sam said trying to inspire Mercedes to try something new, before continuing the last part in his best Mercedes Jones impersonation. "That I ain't no Kelly Rowland, I'm Beyonce!"
Mercedes with tears in her eyes and smiling just stared into Sam's eyes and reached out and put her hand on top of his. "You really think I can do this?" she questioned with her heart overflowing with love for the young man sitting across from her.
"Of course I think you can do this! You deserve to see your potential realised Mercedes. I already know you are the greatest thing ever, now it's time to show the world!"
Mercedes couldn't hold it back any longer and she burst into tears right there at the table. Sam wanting nothing more than to comfort his former girlfriend came rushing around the table and engulfed the African American diva in a tight hug. He spent the next couple of minutes whispering sweet nothings and encouragements into Mercedes ear. Before through her sobs he heard Mercedes choke out, "L-Let's D-Do it!"
Sam leaned back and looked at the woman in his arms not quite sure if he had heard correctly. "Excuse me?"
Now while wiping the tears from her eyes and hugging Sam back, a much more confidant Mercedes spoke again, this time with purpose. "I said…Let's Do it! Tell Finn I'm in. I'll see him in New York in a couple of weeks."
"That's amazing! Finn is going to be thrilled! But what about us?" an ecstatic Sam replied.
"Well…I hear that New York City get's pretty lonely and also very cold. So what's a Diva to do? I guess this particular Diva just needs to put in a special order for some White Chocolate to warm her up. Do you know where I can get any White Chocolate, Sam?" Mercedes said while looking up playfully at Sam.
It was Sam's turn to laugh out loud at the shameless flirting by Mercedes, which also once again garnered hateful stares from the elderly couple. "Girl if you want some White Chocolate, I'm going to give you some White Chocolate, as long as you give me some Brown Sugar. I'm going to give you so much White Chocolate there going to have to test you for Diabetes!"
"Come on Lover-boy let's go before we make Grandpa and Grandma over there have a heart attack, also we need to go tell Finn and Puckerman the news."
Sam and Mercedes packed up and headed out of the restaurant but not before Sam as he walked past leant down and whispered to the elderly couple, "Sorry for all the disruptions, but when your girl wants some White Chocolate…You get her some White Chocolate!"
Sam and Mercedes headed out of the restaurant with both of them in the throws of raucous laughter. The giggling pair headed off into the balmy Los Angeles night leaving behind them a thoroughly confused elderly couple.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm still debating whether or not there will be a small time jump in the next chapter or not. Until next time have a good one and don't do anything I wouldn't do.