A/N: Hey readers! Did everyone have a fun Thanksgiving? Are some of you still eating leftover food? Lol

Amber Riley won 'Dancing with the Stars!' She deserved it. This was such an awesome season :)

This chapter is a sweet one. I thought it'd be nice for those of us in the 'Holiday'-spirit (sweet, fun, 'lovey-dovey' mood), and since my update for the next chapter won't be posted until after I'm done with my final exams.

Hope you enjoy!

The following day, Sam drove slowly as he looked at the address of each home located on a street not too far away from his own home. He'd gotten Mercedes' address from Mike, who'd gotten it from Tina after he told her that Sam wanted to stop over with a few things for Mercedes. His siblings' cards and an apple pie that Sam picked up from the bakery sat on top of the backseat of his car.

Eventually, Sam sees the address he's been trying to locate.

He's immediately disappointed upon noticing that there are no cars in the driveway, but he decides to take a chance and find out if anyone's home anyway. He parks in front of the house and gets out of the car before opening the back door and grabbing the cards and the pie. Sam walks up the pathway to the porch and up the stairs. Once he reaches the door, he rings the doorbell. While waiting for someone to answer the door, he looks around and sees that the curtains are open.

Mercedes had been relaxing on the back patio when she heard the doorbell. She was wearing a hoodie and short-sleeved t-shirt with a pair of sweatpants. She put on her slippers and re-entered the house before walking over to unlock and open the front door. She's surprised to see Sam standing in front of her, but she can't help the smile that forms upon seeing him. "Hi, Sam."

He smiled back. "Hey, Mercedes. I hope it's no problem that I came over unannounced. I'm not bothering you, am I?"

"No, of course not. It's good to see you." She said.

"You too," he said. "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear about what happened. And I'm glad that you're okay."

Mercedes was touched. She nodded. "That's really sweet of you, Sam. I appreciate it."

"It's the least I can do." He said sincerely. "Oh, and my little brother and sister wanted me to give you these cards they made for you. They heard about the accident and I mentioned that I knew you." He handed her the cards. "And…well I know it's a bit cliché, but I got a pie for you and your family."

Mercedes giggled. "Sam, that's so nice of you. Thank you. Please, come in." She stepped back to allow him space to enter the house. After he was inside, she closed the door. "And be sure to thank you little brother and sister for the cards. They're absolutely adorable." She said as she looked at the artwork and the messages which read 'My best wishes' and 'You're in my prayers'.

Sam smiled. "I will."

Mercedes sat the cards on the coffee table before speaking to Sam. "Make yourself comfortable while I put this in the kitchen." She said referring to the pie.

Sam was quick to respond. "No way, let me do that while you get comfortable." With her arm obviously injured, he didn't want her trying to use both of her hands to hold the pie.

Mercedes smiled and nodded. "Okay, the kitchen is straight ahead."

He walked in that direction and entered the kitchen. He took the pie out of its box and placed it inside of the refrigerator. He threw away the box before heading back into the living room.

"You have no idea how good it is to be around someone that isn't a relative of some sort. Not that I mind having my family around, but sometimes being around them is like constantly being reminded that things are different now." Mercedes said from the couch.

"Yeah, I know how it feels to want some time away from your family. You love them and everything, but sometimes you don't like the way being around them makes you feel. And it sucks because you know they just want you to know they love you, but that 'love' just makes you feel smothered." Sam said as he sat in one of the chairs.

Mercedes nodded. "Exactly, especially since my arm is still sore. With the exception of my grandmother, everyone's been so worried about me, and when I say 'so' I mean 'TOO.'"

Sam smiled. "So I guess the last thing you'd want anyone to ask is how you've been doing, huh?"

Mercedes playfully rolled her eyes. "Get out. Get out, NOW!" She said.

They both began laughing.

"No but really, it's great to know that people care about me. But I don't want them treating me like I'm weak."

Sam nodded. "You're far from 'weak' Mercedes. I think you've more than proven that."

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

Sam was blunt. "You're here, aren't you?"

Mercedes smiled. "…I guess you're right."

"See? That wasn't so hard to admit, was it?" He asked.

Mercedes shook her head.

Sam smiled. "So just remember that. Whenever you start to feel like people are treating you weirdly, it's just because they care."

Mercedes was curious. "Okay, well what about you? You mentioned that you sometimes feel 'smothered' by your loved ones. Has this advice been acquired from experience, or are you just really good at knowing the right things to say at the right times?"

Sam chuckled. "I'm definitely more of a 'do as I say, not as I do' type. Ordinarily, I don't take my own advice. But maybe that's something I need to change."

"I guess we both have things to work out." Mercedes said.

"Yeah, I guess so." Sam said. He looked around the living room and noticed the flower arrangements.

Mercedes saw him looking at the flowers. "Now you see the other 'constant reminder.'"

Sam nodded. "Yeah, I see what you mean." He made a suggestion. "Do you want to go outside?"

"I'm way ahead of you. I was out back on the patio before you got here. I was trying to do some stretching but it wasn't working out too well with my arm. So far the only thing I've been able to do is walk from room to room." Mercedes said.

Sam smiled as he came up with another suggestion. "Let's go for a walk."

Mercedes giggled. "Coming from a jock, I shouldn't be surprised." She said sarcastically.

Sam laughed. "No, I'm serious. It always works for me whenever I want to clear my mind."

Mercedes nodded. "Okay. Let me go get my sneakers. They're in my room, so I'll be right back." She said as she got up from the couch and walked up the stairs.

A few minutes later, Sam and Mercedes began their walk. For now, they just planned on walking around the block, then they'd come back to the house.

Sam was telling Mercedes about his family. "My dad's a lawyer. He practices Corporate Law. Usually, he devotes most of his time to his job. He's been that way for as long as I can remember." Sam said. "And my mom works as a representative for a sales company. She studied law in college. She and my dad were classmates at one point. Apparently, she planned on pursuing a career in law, but plans changed after they got married. Even more changes came after she got pregnant with me."

"She put her career goals on hold?" Mercedes asked.

"Yeah, permanently. My dad didn't hide the fact that it was what he wanted. He's more…'traditional' when it comes to his views on marital/'gender' roles. He wanted my mom to be responsible for raising us, while he pursued his career…" Sam brought up something that he hadn't told anyone else. "…but his court cases weren't the only things that kept him away."

Mercedes immediately knew what Sam meant. "So he's cheated on your mom." It was stated as a fact instead of a question.

"Too many times to count," Sam confirmed. "I can still remember hearing his phone conversations with some of these women. I was too young to understand what any of it meant, but he kept it up for years. That is, until my mom found out and threatened to divorce him."

"How old were you?" Mercedes asked.

"10. She was pregnant with the twins. Looking back, that might've been her hormones talking. Because after the twins were born, my mom did everything in her power to save their marriage. Counseling became a religion to them." Sam said. "I know everyone has their 'breaking point,' but my mom's let my dad control so much of her life. I just can't see that changing. Neither of them has ever seemed to be truly happy." He continued. "I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I wouldn't make the same mistakes that they did. I wouldn't want the woman I love to experience any of that either."

Mercedes nodded. "I guess love does that sometimes. It changes you, and not always for the better."

Sam looked at Mercedes. "Are you speaking from experience? Should I be jealous and go kick some guy's ass right now?" He asked as he playfully tickled Mercedes' sides.

She laughed and shook her head. "No, no. I don't want you to go hurt anyone." She said. "I was just thinking about something my godmother once told me, about her first serious relationship in high school. She was dating the captain of the basketball team, you know the 'Big Man on Campus'-type."

Sam smirked. "Yeah, I know." He said as he popped his collar.

Mercedes rolled her eyes and hit his shoulder. "Anyway," She said with a chuckle. "…Not too long into their relationship, he started pressuring her into having sex. She was only 15, and far from ready for that. But the more she resisted, the more he'd bring it up. And eventually, she gave in." Mercedes said. "She used to tell me how ironic it was that one of the most important experiences in a person's life was personally her biggest regret."

Sam nodded. He couldn't help but think about the girls he'd probably made feel the exact same way.

"Although, she told me that story when I was 15 and I told her that some of my friends were already thinking about having sex. But hey, 'It's the thought that counts' right?" Mercedes smiled.

Sam laughed. "That wasn't cool of her, at all."

"I know, right?" Mercedes said between laughs. "Hey, she and my mom were best friends. 'Birds of a feather…,' you know?"

A while later, they returned to Mercedes' house.

Mercedes put her hair back into a ponytail as she headed for the kitchen. "You know, I haven't had apple pie in years. But then again, only a few have been good enough to touch these taste-buds." She giggled.

"Trust me, it's more than 'good enough.' I got it from one of the best bakeries in town." Sam said as he took off his jacket and followed Mercedes.

She washed her hands and got two plates, bowls, forks and spoons. As she set everything out on the table, Sam opened the refrigerator to get out the pie.

He put it down on the table and then opened the freezer door to get the ice cream. "Which flavor…vanilla or chocolate?" He asked.

Mercedes paused to look at Sam. "Do you really have to ask?"

Together they said, "Both."

Mercedes laughed. "Whenever you can't decide, get at least a little bit of both."

"I know, I'm sorry. I forgot that rule." Sam said as he set down both containers of ice cream.

Mercedes got the tray as Sam finished cutting two slices of pie and placed them on the plates. Then he put a scoop of each flavor of ice cream in both bowls.

He put the food on the tray and picked it up while Mercedes opened the door to the back patio. Once they were out on the patio, Sam sat the tray down on the table and they both had a seat in the chairs.

Mercedes took a bite of the pie. She was pleasantly surprised by the delicious taste. "Wow," she swallowed the food. "This is really good."

Sam finished chewing. "I told you." He ate a spoonful of his ice cream.

Mercedes ate a few more bites before speaking again. "A treat like this is just what I needed. Maybe it'll give me enough energy to get through some of my homework tonight."

Sam nodded. "Been there," he said. "I spent most of yesterday and all this morning getting everything completed for tomorrow."

"The first few assignments of the school year are always the worst because we're still used to the lazy schedules we had during summer break. At least it doesn't take long to get over." Mercedes said.

"Yeah," he agreed. "At least I understand everything, though. So I'm expecting to get good grades on these assignments." Sam said.

"That's great," Mercedes said. "So I guess you are starting to focus more on your schoolwork."

He smiled. "Yeah, I'm attempting to get better grades this year. Hopefully it pays off."

"It will." She said. "You're a smart guy."

"Thanks," Sam said.

After they both finished their food, they re-entered the house and Sam put the tray full of dishes down on the table. He and Mercedes rinsed the dishes off before putting them into the dishwasher.

"So how long have you been playing the guitar?" Mercedes asked.

"Just for a few years," Sam said. "My dad used to play when he was a kid. He had one that he didn't use so much and he gave it to me about three years ago. He taught me a few things and the rest has come from practice. I'll admit it's one of the best gifts he's ever given me."

"We could definitely use some of that talent in the glee club. I think you are going to be such a great addition."

"'Are?'" Sam asked. "So you really think my audition went okay?"

"Come on, Sam. You know you rocked." She playfully poked his forehead.

Sam laughed. "Well, was I…oh, I don't know…the best?" He asked jokingly as he grabbed Mercedes' hand.

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Don't even go there." She giggled.

She and Sam looked at each other for a while.

Mercedes was the first to speak. "I've got another question for you."

Sam nodded as he stood closer to her. "Ask me anything."

Mercedes looked down at their hands. She rubbed the back of Sam's hand with her thumb before looking into his eyes. "…Why'd you decide to try out for the glee club?" She asked.

Sam smirked sexily. "Would you believe me if I told you I don't know?"

Mercedes smiled and shook her head. "No."

"Well," Sam began.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing.

"Mercy, I'm back. Everyone told me to tell you 'hi' and that they love you," Edna-Ruth said as she took off her sweater. She noticed a jacket on the chair before she entered the kitchen. She was surprised to see Mercedes standing against the kitchen counter, holding hands with a boy whom Edna-Ruth hadn't seen before. "Oh Honey, I didn't know you were having anyone over," she smiled.

Mercedes released Sam's hand and faced her grandmother. "Oh, um, well it was a surprise visit. Grandma, this is Sam. He's a friend of mine from McKinley."

Sam stepped over to Edna-Ruth. "Nice to meet you," he said as he reached out to shake the woman's hand.

Edna-Ruth shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you, too. How sweet of you to come over," she said.

Sam smiled. "Oh, it was my pleasure."

"Sam brought a few things with him. His younger siblings made cards for me, and he bought an apple pie for us." Mercedes said.

"Yeah, like I told Mercedes, I'm sorry if the pie seems foolish. I didn't want to come over without anything of my own to give, and I know it's customary to bring food during times like this." He said sincerely.

"It was a very thoughtful gesture." Edna-Ruth said.

"Thanks. It was no problem though," he said. "Well, I guess I should get going. I think I've wasted enough of Mercedes' time."

"I'll walk you out." Mercedes said before shaking her head. "And don't listen to him, grandma. We had a nice time."

Edna-Ruth smiled as the teenagers walked out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Sam grabbed his jacket and put it on then he and Mercedes walked outside.

She closed the front door and turned back around to face Sam.

"So when are you coming back to school?" He asked.

"Well, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to check on how my arm's healing. If everything looks okay, I should be back in school by next Monday." Mercedes said.

Sam smiled. "Good. I hope everything goes well tomorrow."

"Thanks. You too, fellow glee club member," she said with a wink.

"Hey, we don't know if I'm in yet."

"Yes we do. I'm telling you, you're in!" She said in an excited tone.

Sam held his hands up in 'surrender.' "Okay, okay." He smiled as they started walking down the porch stairs and towards his car. "Try to relax, at least for the rest of the day, okay?" Sam said, referring to her arm.

Mercedes nodded. "Okay."

"Seriously Mercedes, do NOT give me a reason to worry about you too." Sam said with a smile.

"Fine, fine, I'll relax." She said.

"Do you promise?" He asked.

She barely nodded.

"Mercedes…" Sam said.

"…I promise." She said. "I'll even shake on it." She reached out her hand.

Sam shook her hand. "Good," he said. "But I'm still not convinced. I think you should give me your cell phone number, so I'll be able to check on you and make sure I have no reason to worry." He said.

Mercedes giggled. "Fine," she said. "Although I'm a bit insulted that you don't trust me, I'll agree. Give me your phone."

Sam handed her his cell phone.

Mercedes stored her name and number. "Your number better not show up as 'Private.' Ordinarily I don't give my number to someone without getting theirs in return. Lucky for you, my cell phone needs to be charged."

Sam laughed. "Just because I don't trust you, doesn't mean you can't trust me," he said playfully. "Besides, I still owe you an answer to the question you asked back in the kitchen." He smiled.

Mercedes smiled as well.

"Come here." Sam said as he held out his arms.

They embraced in a hug.

Mercedes wrapped her good arm around Sam's neck. "Thanks for coming over to visit."

Sam had both his arms around her waist. "Thanks for being home." He said with a chuckle.

Sam unlocked and opened his car door then got inside as Mercedes walked back inside of the house.

She waved goodbye before closing the door.

After waving back, he drove off with a smile across his face.