Hello! So this was supposed to be the last chapter butttttt the story is not done so here's another chapter! Enjoy!

A Story of Many Twists and Turns

I knew that I needed to talk to my parents but I also wanted to see Sam… I owed him an apology. Hell I owed a lot of people an apology but I definitely owe him one. My parents continued to share glances while walking out of the building before my mother finally grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Faye, you need to tell-" She started but I pulled away.

"Not now moma… I have to go. We can talk later. Just wait for me at my place." I said, wrapping my arms around myself, turning and walking away.

I don't want to relive this part.

I wish the drive to his place was longer, I wish there were more steps to his door and I wish he hadn't answered.

But he did.

"Ms. Jones." Sam said, not even offering me a smile.

"We're back to that now? After everything?"

I didn't have it in me to be playful or even mildly snarky.

He shifted, swallowing. "Is there something else you needed?"

That stung.

"I…" I looked down, kicking the invisible dirt on the ground. "We need to talk… now rather than later."

He just looked at me before nodding but when I started to step inside he stopped me. "We can talk here."

"Sam, we can't have this conversation outside…"

"Mercedes what exactly do you need to say? I can't be seen letting you into my place again."

I took a step back, wrapping my arms tighter around myself. "Umm… well I wanted to apologize for… everything."

"Thank you, anything else?"

Asshole.

"I wasn't the only one in this, you know?" I snapped, "How dare you stand there all high and mighty and treat me like some random bitch!"

He looked at me before looking away. "Ms. Jones, if that's all I have to finish packing my things." He replied coldly.

"I-" I looked at him before realizing that it was useless. He was pissed, rightfully so but I wasn't wrong, I wasn't the only one involved.

"Never mind, I'll go… have a good life." I said before turning and walking away. I refused to cry in front of him, I refused to break or hang my head and I refused to look back.

Girl… you can't just… we can't just…

I closed my eyes as I got into my car and took a long breath. I made myself swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head to stop those stubborn tears from falling. I only looked back once and he was still standing there, I couldn't read his eyes but for me that was the end.

But it's never truly the end… just another door to go through.

I knew what was waiting for me at my apartment, to say I purposefully told my parents to meet me there is an understatement. I knew the second I walked through those doors everything was about to change… forever.

I sat in my car hoping something, anything would just sweep me away for a while but I brought this on myself.

Wishful thinking indeed. Puff out your chest, take a deep breath, you're gonna be okay!

Tap! Tap!

I looked and saw Nicole standing there, she looked grim but a small smile formed on her beautiful face. She gave me a knowing look before walking around and getting inside.

"So… how'd it go?" She asked. I wasn't sure how she knew where I went but that was just Nicole.

I shrugged. "He wasn't happy to see me but why would he? I ruined his career."

She looked at me before frowning. "You did but he had a part in it too but that's all trivial now… what are you going to do now?"

"God, I really wish I knew the answer to that but how do you tell your parents that aside from ruining someone's career and kinda being forced to graduate early because you couldn't keep your legs closed… that I'm pregnant."

Nicole let out a breath. "Well, I wouldn't say it like that but you don't have to tell them until you're ready and I know that moment may never come but when you feel the most secure in accepting it… then you tell them."

I offered a watery smile. "I just… what the hell do I do, Nic?"

"I don't know but no matter what you decide I will always support and be there for you."

I knew she meant it and I needed to hear it because I knew my parents were going to flip. They had a plan for me and children didn't come up until well after I was married.

"I think for now, I just want to pack… I want to get the hell out of here." I said, sighing.

She nodded. "Then let's do that."

Easier said than done.

This next part… only bits and pieces are really clear…

"MERCEDES! How could you be so careless?" My mother shouted as soon as I walked inside.

Should've known she would have snooped around. To be fair, five tests laying around and not telling them if you weren't is cause for snooping.

I watched her wave around two of my tests as she counted shouting. It was all in slow motion like she was in a movie and I was watching it unfold as she realized more and more that I was indeed pregnant.

"Deb… give her a chance to explain." My father said, I think his calmness had a lot to do with the expression on my face.

I was numb. I was also overstimulated and the churning in my stomach only made things worse. He inched towards me and I felt the tears hot on my cheeks, a slow tremble of my lip and the sob I'd been holding in for too long finally broke free.

I felt myself start to crumble and fall but I never hit the ground. "I'm so sorry daddy." I cried out, bawling up in his arms.

My mother stopped shouting. Finally, but she didn't move. I could see her through my blurry eyes. She was frozen and frowning.

Whatever progress we made was gone, I'd done the one thing she'd asked me not to do… become a statistic. I'd gotten pregnant by someone that wanted nothing to do with me and now I had to put my dreams on hold and raise a child as a single parent.

"Don't apologize, you messed up… it's okay." My father said, gently rocking me.

For the life of me I couldn't figure out why he was handling it this way. I literally just dropped the biggest bomb of my life and he was just… calm.

"I… I didn't mean to mess up this much! I will do whatever I need to do, I promise!" I said, pulling away and looking at my mother who just shook her head and turned away.

"M-mommy… please, I'm sorry!" I pleaded but she only shifted. "Daddy… I…"

I think she needs a break…

I had a headache when I woke up. My eyes felt tired and my body was beyond exhausted but I had to contribute that to a growing human. Micole was beside me and Puck was there… I don't remember when he got there but he was there too.

I groaned, sitting up and shifting. "Nic?" My voice was so hoarse, which was normal when I spent the night crying.

"Yes?" She asked immediately sitting up. "What's wrong? Do you need something?"

I nodded my head. "Can you give me my phone… I want to talk to Marcus.".

She shot me a worried look. "Babe… you already tried calling him… give him a day to process everything."

I don't remember calling him…

"Hey hot Moma, you're up…" Puck said, offering her a smile. "Want me to make you some breakfast."

I looked at the both of them, feeling bile building along with fresh tears. I didn't deserve them but I was so thankful for them.

"I umm… I can't remember… did my mom leave?" I asked and they both sighed.

Nicole looked at Puck and he nodded before standing and stretching. "I'll go make some breakfast… gotta feed the little squirt." He said, walking out.

Nicole turned me to her, there was such a sadness in her eyes but there was also so much fight. "Yes, your mom left… your dad said he'll be back this afternoon to help you get moved into my place."

I shook my head trying to remember why I was going there and not home but deep down I knew. "She wants nothing to do with me…"

Nicole sighed. "I think she's just heart broken for you and doesn't know how to express it."

The lump came back and the tears started to brim. "No, Deborah knows how to express her feelings… she told me she would kick me out if I ever got pregnant out of wedlock."

I felt Nicole shift, I knew she didn't know what to say and honestly I don't think I was remotely looking for her to say anything… having her there to listen was enough.

"So…" Puck said walking into the room, "I broke all the eggs and I think your milk is spoiled too…"

I looked at him covered in flour and from somewhere deep inside me a laugh came. It was loud and hurt a little but a laugh nonetheless. Nicole looked at him, laughing too before the room was filled with laughter and the atmosphere felt like it used to when they'd crash.

It was all changing…

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"So he just… brushed you off?"

I laughed softly. "I think I might've confused you about where the heartbreak came from… it stung but my heart didn't break because of him."

"Then why?"

"Because of my mother… I needed her more than I needed anyone and she made it clear she didn't want anything to do with me or her grandchild."

"Ms. Lopez, your three o'clock is here."

"Shit, look, meet me here tomorrow… same time, okay?"

I nodded. "I'll have to do some shuffling around but sure."

Santana smiled. "You can bring her, I'd love to meet your daughter."

I smiled back. "Maybe next time, daddy-daughter day is every Thursday."

She shot me a look and I couldn't help smirking. "Like I said the heartbreak didn't come from him. I'll see you tomorrow." I replied, starting to walk away but she grabbed my hand.

"How did he take it when you finally told him?"

I looked at my watch. "He…"

"Mercy, sorry that took so long. Ready? We gotta get to her recital."

I smiled, "I promise to tell you tomorrow."

Santana nodded, smiling. "Damn straight you will."

Sam shot me a confused look. "Just girl talk, come on I want to get good seats." I assured.

He nodded. "Do I even want to know?" He teased and I chuckled.

"Doubtful, how'd it go."

His whole face lit up. "I got it! So we're celebrating as a family tonight."

I shifted nervously. "Sam…"

He rolled his eyes. "Calm down, I'm not asking you to marry me." He said with a chuckle. "I just want my girls with me tonight, a lot is going on and we're meeting up with my parents too."

The fuck?

I looked up at him and frowned. "When was this planned?"

He stopped, turned and wrapped an arm around my waist pulling me close. "When I planned it, you can be mad at me later but they asked to see Kendall."

I narrowed my eyes on him. "And if I had plans for her already?"

"Tough. This was the agreement you set in place or did you forget?"

Your raggedy bitch…

I tried to pull away but he just held me tighter with a knowing grin. "I didn't forget it now, let me go."

"Give me a kiss first." He said, nipping at lips before I turned away.

"We're not doing this again, we don't work and you know it."

He smirked. "So what about the past few years? And last night? Or the night before that… or the weeks before that?"

I sighed. "Us fooling around is hardly a relationship."

He frowned, moving his hand to chin and gently turning my head. "Making love every night isn't fooling around."

Mhm… now see here…

"Just because I can't say no doesn't mean it's love making or did you forget what happened when-"

He crashed his lips onto mine and like always I folded. I've been folding for years now and he knows it but there was a small time when looking at him or even being around him made me so damn angry. He'd been trying to make up for ever since and for the life of me I couldn't allow myself to be that vulnerable again.

He didn't lie, we made love every night but I never stayed… but I guess that's for another day.

I pushed away, "we're going to be late." I said, seeing the light slowly dim in his eyes.

He wanted more than the arrangement I set and if I were honest, so did I but…

But Deborah Jones.

"What are you doing here?" Nicole asked, folding her arms and glaring at him.

"I just… I need to talk to Mercedes." He answered.

Puck shook his head. "She ain' there, we're just here here to move her shit."

Sam shifted, looking past the two of them. "I can see her standing there."

Nicole moved in front of Puck, "it's a cut out poster, unless you want to talk to some cardboard I suggest you leave."

I started to move but Puck shot me look, stilling me in place. "Just go." I said softly.

"Mercedes, I'm sorry… I shouldn't have brushed you off like that. I don't have a reasonable excuse, I was just annoyed about the outcome and reacted."

Nicole looked at me and I just shook my head before turning and walking out of view. "She doesn't want to talk to you… right now."

Sam huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I understand… just… let her know I'm sorry, please?"

Puck nodded. "Yeah, sure thing dude. Bye." He replied, slamming the door in his face.

Nicole turned, facing him. "I don't think she wanted us to do all that."

He smirked, looking down at her. "Oh well, she can't give in that easily. Come on, she needs to eat and we gotta get moving."

Nicole shot him a knowing look. "It's kinda sexy you being demanding and shit, might let you get another taste." She teased.

Puck shook his head. "You're flirting with her brother, thus making you off limits."

"Eh, what are you scared of him?" She asked, walking into the kitchen, offering Mercedes a hug.

"Have you met her brother? He's scary as hell…"

I watched my friends move effortlessly around each other, giving me the space I needed while also being present. Nicole fixed me a glass of orange juice and Puck made me a huge plate of pancakes. I watched them dance around each other like an old married couple and felt something brewing deep inside.

I couldn't stop the sob from coming out and I wished I could have because the look on their faces only made me cry harder.

"I'm sorry…" I said, trying to quickly wipe my tears. "I just… fuck, I'm so sorry!:"

They immediately rushed over and wrapped me into a tight hug. "Please don't apologize. You have so much going on and you're literally having to make a life changing decision." Nicole said.

"I mean shit, you're growing a human in there, a new college graduate and not to mention moving. Cry, scream, break some shit." Puck added, making me chuckle.

"I am a new graduate, huh?"

Puck lifted my chin so that I was looking at him. "You graduated early despite all of the bullshit and this is just another thing you're going to be badass at, I'm proud of you." He said, kissing me on the forehead.

He was right. I could do this and I would do this even if it meant doing it alone…

"Sam seriously, why is there all this fuss?" I asked.

"No fuss, my parents wanted to see Kendall's performance and take her for the weekend." He answered. " You are still okay with her going with them right?"

Now if I say no, ima be a bitch….

"I have no problem with her staying with her grandparents. I just would've liked a heads up."

He looked at me before smirking. "I did give you a heads up, just now."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever you have brewing, stop."

Sam smiled that dazzling smile of his. "No. Now you'll just have to sit and wonder what I have planned."

Seeee…grab the wheel. We can tuck and roll.

"But-" I started right as my phone started to ring, I dug through my purse as I shot him look before grabbing and letting out a long breath.

Well shit…

We are slowly leaving the story telling side and entering where Mercedes is now! I hope you guys are still enjoying this and I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! I will try to treat you to either Bookshop or Seduction... or Say What You Need to Say today too! until next time xoxo!