Hello once again people of fanfiction :) This was suppose to be sent yesterday, but I got caught up, so I apologize for my tardiness to those who I said it would be.
First, To Tara, my co-pilot for this fic...you are inspirational, I love your input. Thank you oh so much. xo
I would also like to acknowledge our wonderful reviewers, if I have not replied to your comment yet I wholeheartedly ask for your forgiveness, but I will endeavor to reply as your comments are like fine gold to us both. And to all the Guest comments which I am unable to reply to..thank you, thank you, thank you for your beautiful words.
To our readers, favoriters, followers you are wonderful.
To Zeejack...oh I had to put your 'heffa' comment in the story, it was just too good to pass up, mwah...Thank you
Disclaimer: Love the songs in here...but I do not own them, neither do I own the characters depicted in this fic (wouldn't want to just quietly cos that glee ship is sinking fast..hehehe).
Chapter 5 Strawberry Wine
It was an eventful early morning reunion with Grandma and Grandpa Evans who were equally happy to see Mercedes with him. Sam's grandparents always loved Mercedes and they always referred to her as Sam's girl. When Strawberry Wine was released they knew immediately it was for Mercedes and hoped that very soon the two of them should marry. Little did they know was that Sam had not seen her for years and Mercedes turning up with Sam on their doorstep, at first, kept them ignorant to that fact.
After Mercedes and Sam rose well after 10 am, which was very late for the Evans household, they spent the rest of the morning catching up on life. Then after some time, looking at her watch, Grandma Evans smiled, "Ellen's on," and quickly ran to turn the television set on.
Mercedes smiled, "Oh I so love Ellen, I swear if I ever wanted to marry a woman it would definitely be Ellen."
The three Evans regarded immediately Mercedes comment. Grandma and Grandpa Evans gasped in utter shock and Sam in utter abhorrence because no way no how was Mercedes Jones going to marry anyone other than himself.
Mercedes laughed, "You should see your faces, jesh," she giggled, rolled her eyes, then mumbled, "I'm only telling you the truth!"
Everyone watched the screen intently as the show began and then immediately their gaze turned to Mercedes. Grandpa and Grandma Evans smiled knowing Sam was going to be on it as Sam had filled them in on the whole show and what to expect.
Suddenly Mercedes gasped wide eyed, "You're on Ellen Sam?! Do you know her?!"
Sam smiled and nodded, "yeah…she's a friend!"
"Wow Sam! I love her and I mean love her," Sam looked at Mercedes puzzled.
"Oh come on Sam get your head out of the gutter, but honestly, I love her, she is so funny!" she smiled.
Sam grinned at her obvious fangirling of Ellen DeGeneres.
Suddenly Mercedes had a strange feeling about the interview and stood to try and avoid it, "I'm just gonna fix us a cuppa what would you all like?" she smiled.
"You just sit down Miss Jones and don't miss this interview!" Grandma Evans growled.
Mercedes gulped and returned to her seat.
As the show progressed, finally it came to Sam's interview.
Sam looked at Mercedes in the corner of his eye to gauge her reaction. Mercedes smiled and laughed at their antics. Sam smiled, good she's smiling, he thought. Then it came to the Strawberry Wine segment. Mercedes flinched at first and then smiled at the comment about the song being about for his mother, "that was funny!" she giggled, "Ellen is hilarious!" she laughed. When Sam did his plea for the love of his life to call him, she flinched again, but then began to giggle once more when Ellen interrupted and sent out her own plea.
Afterward, Mercedes stood as the credits rolled, "that was a fantastic interview Sam," she chuckled, "she is so funny Sam…I can't believe you two are friends," she squealed, "You know you should introduce me to her!" then Mercedes began to walk toward the stairs, "I'm just gonna get dressed before we go to the stables, great interview Sam. Gosh she's so hilarious," Mercedes chortled as she ascended the stairs.
Grandma and Grandpa Evans rolled their eyes.
Sam gasped as he watched Mercedes climb the stairs, then he turned back to his grandparent's mouth agape.
…..
As Mercedes closed the door to her temporary room, she dropped onto the bed and buried her head into the pillow totally confused, is he talking about me? No he is not? No it must be someone else? No I don't care, it's probably some floosy he met somewhere, but it must be me because its strawberry wine, that's our song, or maybe it's not, Mercedes chastened herself, first for thinking it was her and then for thinking it wasn't, and yet again for all the confusion she was putting herself through. If it's not me then I wouldn't be here would I! or would I?
Mercedes heart was a flutter and she was as nervous as anything. She gritted her teeth and punched the pillow, "argh stop it Jones!" she screamed, let's just go with the flow, I'm gonna enjoy my time alone with Sam while I can and stop over thinking.
Just then her i-phone sounded; looking at her phone she could see it was her mother. Mercedes became very agitated and allowed the call to go to voice mail. She can wait, she sneered, armed with the new information she possessed concerning her parents. She then stood, grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt and changed her clothes. Then she looked in the mirror and smiled, Ok Sam Evans, this thing between you and I might be short lived but I'm gonna dam well live it to the hilt for the short time that I'm here. Then she quickly grabbed her boots and ran downstairs.
Meanwhile in the lounge below…
"She's in denial Sam…" Grandma Evans dead panned, "she is in absolute denial, you two obviously have not been together all these years, have you Samuel?!" she turned to Sam and glared at him.
"What Grammy, why do you think it's my fault?" Sam groaned at the petite grey haired lady before him.
She glared again.
"Ok then it was, but it's not what you think!" Sam groaned and slouched further into his chair.
Grandma Evans rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"That's why I did the plea thing on TV, so that she would see that I love her," Sam muttered.
"Well obviously it didn't work!" Grandma Evan's grimaced.
"Well obviously boy, by what I can see is that Mercedes is not only deaf but she is blind too, because even I could tell you were talking about her and you know I don't usually get into this whole lovey dovey thing." Then he smiled, "oh boy you are crazy in love with Mercedes Jones, you really need to put a ring on it quick."
"Well, besides the fact that she IS obviously blind and deaf, someone needs to tell me how to put a ring on it, because I thought going on national television might give her a clue but…argh," he grimaced shaking his head disgruntledly into his hands, "what am I going to do?!" Sam growled.
"Patience Boy, that's all you need son is patience, she's probably up stairs right now trying to figure out what she's gonna do about it," Grandpa Evans grinned.
"Yeah Samuel…" Grandma Evans smiled, "this un-lovey dovey man right here chased me near on 11 years before he put a ring on it!" she giggled nudging her husband in his side. Then she stood, "let's go see Charlie Samuel," she smiled, "step one toward your pending marriage to Mercedes Jones," she grinned.
"Oh your tricky mama," Grandpa Evans smiled as they took their unfortunate grandson by his arms and pulled him out the door. Mercedes met them at the door and the four of them took a ride on the truck to the stables.
Mercedes was obviously concerned about the interview, but smiled, as the truck passed one memory after another, as she recollected her and Sam's familiar haunts and the anticipation of seeing Charlie again.
Sam turned, apprehensively smiled at Mercedes and took her hand, he wanted to ask her true thoughts about the interview, but decided he would allow her to tell him when she was ready. Then as he took in their favourite haunts he smiled, "Mercy, Charlie will be so happy to see you!"
"I can't wait to see him Sam," she chortled.
"Yah know he's been lonely for yah Mercedes," Grandpa Evans drawled whilst casting a glance at them in the rear-view mirror.
As they reached the stables,Mercedes was the first to jump out and looked toward the field where Charlie usually grazed. Eyeing him off in the distance under a large oak tree, Mercedes climbed the fence and sat upon it smiling at her old friend. Spotting Mercedes Charlie sent out a soft bray and cantered quickly toward her.
Sam and his grandparents smiled at the touching scene as Charlie galloped toward her and then gently slowed down as he approached, stepped gently toward Mercedes and nudged her with his nose.
Mercedes kissed him gently and smiled, "hello my dear old friend…you are as beautiful as ever," and stroked his long mane tenderly.
"Hey old timer!" Grandpa Evans smiled running his hand along Charlie's back.
Sam smiled and noticeably blushed as he took in the loving scene
Grandma Evans beamed and whispered in Sam's ear, "Step one completed toward you marrying yah girl Samuel Evans. You two are perfect for each other," she squealed.
"Well we will see you in a couple of hour's son…" Grandpa Evans winked at Sam and walked toward his wife; "y'all have a great time yah hear!" he drawled as he took his wife's hand in his, his six foot frame towering over her petite stature. Sam looked so much like his grandfather, the only difference in point being their eye colour. Sam's grandfather had steely blue eyes and his grandmother green.
"Have a good time!" Grandma Evans smiled, blew Sam a kiss and then giggled.
Sam noticeably blushed as he began to saddle Charlie up, placed the bit in Charlies mouth and threw his guitar on his back. Then he jumped into the saddle, pulled Mercedes up gently with his strong arms, placed her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. She still smelt and felt as wonderful as ever. Oh how I love being this close to Miss Jones, he smiled, as his hands took the reins and slipped comfortably over Mercedes tiny fingers. The two of them reconnected immediately, that familiar energy flickered between them, but seemed even more intense than when they were in their teenage years. The two secretly smiled and sat comfortably entwined together taking in the warm feelings that embraced them. Mercedes was still in two minds about how Sam felt about her, but right now with his body molded against hers, she didn't really care, she was off in her own little world and fear and insecurities were not going to plague her right now, because, for now, at this moment in time, it was just her and Sam, and Mercedes Jones was going to revel in it.
"Are you ready Mercy?" Sam whispered in Mercedes ear as Mercedes body eased to his touch. Mercedes nodded her head and smiled. Sam felt so good, he thought he would burst with happiness as they slowly rode toward the river, Mercedes entwining her hands with his.
When they arrived at the banks of the river in their familiar spot Sam dismounted and then lifted his arms to receive Mercedes. Mercedes slipped securely into them. They both stared longingly into each other's eyes and smiled. Mercedes then cast her gaze toward the ground and said, slipping her arms from around his neck and placing them on his muscular chest, "Sam I…I…I'm so in love with you I'm afraid."
"What are you afraid of Mercy? Please talk to me, please!" Sam begged looking into her beautiful brown eyes.
"I'm afraid that I will love you more than you love me…I'm afraid I'm not good enou-"
"Ok, stop right there cos there is no way in hell that could you love me more than I love you Mercy, no way…" he whispered, "I love you more than anything in this entire world."
"But Sam, we haven't seen each other for 10 years and I just can't trust all these emotions, I-I think I love you even more, I'm so scared of this Sam!" Mercedes stammered.
Sam smiled and whispered gently in her ear, "hell you're scared? I'm petrified, you're all I've ever thought of everyday, and to have you in my arms right now is like… a dream."
Mercedes looked into his soft green eyes once more. Their connection spoke volumes to each other of the resounding love they still had for one another after all these years.
Mercedes rested her head on Sam's chest, "Sam you have to give me time to get use to this, use to the idea of the possibility of us being together again!" Mercedes breathed, her voice hitched as Sam lightly stroked her cheek with his thumb.
"You have all the time in the world Mercy, I must warn you though, I will not give up until you are my wife and then I'll still continue," he smirked as his thumb traced her full lips.
Sam then placed his forehead on Mercedes and smiled, "I love you Mercy!"
Sam and Mercedes had a wonderful time on banks of the river. They joked and spoke about all they had accomplished through their years apart, then Sam grabbed his guitar, "I want to sing you a song Mercy it's called A Thousand Years by Christina Perri!" Sam kissed Mercedes on her cheek as he began to pluck the introduction.
Closing his eyes Sam began to sing.
Heartbeats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
Sam looked adoringly at Mercedes and smiled as he sang.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
Sam smiled again as tears filled his eyes from the immense joy he felt in finally singing face to face to the woman he loved.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
As Sam finished, Mercedes looked up toward Sam, as she lay in his lap and smiled tracing her hand over his lips, "that was so beautiful Sam."
"That is you Mercy, every word was for you and it's how I feel about you and how much I love you," Sam lowered his gaze and etched his lips towards hers and brushed them along Mercedes. They instantly fell into each other's love and were enveloped in one another.
"Like the song says Mercy, please don't be afraid, I have waited for so long to be with you again and I will wait for you for as long as it takes, I love you Mercy," Sam whispered as his lips caressed hers.
"Do you Sam do you really?" she whispered sadly.
"I do Mercy I do,"
"I love you too!" she smiled touching his cheek lightly as she melted into his warm kiss, "I love you too Sammy!"
…..
Sam did not want to leave their little safe haven by the river banks, but he had to prepare for his concert, so begrudgingly they took their leave. Mercedes nestled safely in his arms as they returned to the farm house, Sam of course made sure Charlie took the longest possible route home and the slowest possible journey.
"Mercy…" Sam whispered as they slowly returned home, "what are we going to do!"
"Um…I'm not sure Sam, look let's just take it one day at a time Sammy, we need to get to know each other again." She smiled.
Sam kissed her on the neck, "can I still do this while we get to know each other?"
"Oh Sammy, stop it, I'm trying to be strong, but, you are definitely wearing me down!" Mercedes giggled.
"And I won't give up!" Sam smiled as he kissed her again.
As they arrived at the ranch house and entered through the large antique door, lovingly kissing each other, they were met by Grandma Evans.
"Hey darlin, you have a guest here to see you," Grandma Evans smiled as Sam and Mercedes entered the entrance which peered into the lounge.
Upon the floral sofa sat a petite red headed young lady, nervously wringing her hands as she sat looking gleefully out the large double windows.
Sam looked at Mercedes bewildered and then to his grandmother, "Um Grammy…Who is this? He whispered.
"It's Tasha Hendrix, old man Hendrix's granddaughter!" She whispered.
"What does she want?" he grimaced
"I don't know, she just said she needed to see you and that it was very important!"
Mercedes was instantly intimidated. Mercedes cast a gaze at the petite young lady whose body proportions seemed flawless to a now self-conscious Mercedes Jones. Then she turned to Sam, "Um Sam, I'm really tired I'm just gonna go upstairs and lie down."
Sam took her hand sensing her immediate change in mood, "No Mercy, don't leave, please can you Just stay a little while and I'll introduce you to-" Sam stopped and turned to his grandmother.
Grandma Evans rolled her eyes, "Tasha! Samuel, Tasha!" she then made her way to the kitchen to make some refreshments for their guest.
"Mercedes…" grandma Evans took Mercedes hand as she walked passed and smiled, "what would you like darling?"
"Nothing for me thank you Grandma Evans," Mercedes smiled a smile which did not reach her eyes, "I'll just go and lie down I'm not feeling too well."
Mercedes looked at Sam and kissed him on the cheek, "I'll see you later ok?" she whispered and made her way upstairs.
Sam grimaced, after this afternoon he was sure they had worked things out, but now, all he could see was sadness in Mercedes eyes and it hurt him so much. Dam this heffa, what the hell does she want, Sam thought as he looked at the waif like being seated in his grandparents lounge.
Sam then turned and sadly watched Mercedes as she ascended up the staircase. He then looked again at his would be guest sitting on the couch and apprehensively entered the lounge.
"A-hmm!" Sam coughed gaining her attention.
The young lady smiled, then quickly jumped up and wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh Sam, it's been such a long time, I have been thinking of you all these years too and I knew that you were thinking of me, I love you too," She chortled batting her eyelashes at him.
Sam's eyes widened as he pulled himself out of her embrace and looked at her strangely, What the hell is she talking about he thought and then he said it, not exactly the most gentlemanly thing to do but he said it, "Who the hell are you and what the hell are you talking about?!"
Just then his grandmother entered with refreshments and set it on the table
"It's me Sam, Tasha, you know strawberry wine and everything," she smiled wryly whilst tracing her index finger on his taut chest, then she quickly embraced him once again and began kissing him all over.
Sam was shocked and tried to get out of her embrace but she was strong for a little thing and her clutches seemed to tighten with every effort Sam made to escape.
Just then there was a scream, as Grandma Evans pulled the young lady by the ear and muttered, "you keep your mitts off my grandson, strawberry wine is not about you it is about him and his girl Mercedes, so you best take your tiny little ass out of this house and don't come back," she screamed as she pushed the girl out the door, "and don't think I'm not gonna talk to your grandpa about this Miss Hendrixs," she yelled and then slammed the door.
Grandma Evans then returned to the lounge where a flabbergasted Sam stood, "Grammy what the hell?"
"Don't you cuss at me young man," she grimaced waving a finger decidedly at him as she gathered together the now abandoned refreshments.
"Sorry Grammy, but I am sure I could have got her off me with-"
"No way Samuel she was like a leech I tell you, ready to suck the life out of you. I knew I shouldn't have trusted her, she's the twentieth young lady who has called on you since that interview aired," then she quickly glanced at her watch, "and that's just in a couple of hours," she grimaced, "oh Samuel, I think we are in for a rough ride here!"
"I don't even know her Grammy," Sam looked at her totally bewildered.
"Yes you do, we use to take you to the Hendrix's every Sunday for lunch when you were five. I think she was sweet on you," She chuckled.
"Well how the he-" he stopped himself then continued scratching his head, "well how on earth does she come up with the idea that strawberry wine is for her?"
"I don't know, but if any more of those heffas come a knockin again I'm getting out the shot gun!" She groaned.
"Grammy! You wouldn't would you?!" Sam gasped.
"No I am not joking, she is lucky she got pass the front door, those other girls didn't have a shot," she grimaced throwing her hands on her hips.
"Who were they?"
Grandma took a piece of paper out of her pocket and put on her glasses, "Um well here are some of them Karen, Faith, Sasha, Lisa, Cindy, Heather, Tomi Sue, Jessica, Melaine, Stephanie, Linda, Zoe, Vanessa, Christine, Tiffany, Isabella, Gabriella, Noel, Alma oh and someone else but I couldn't understand her while I was kicking her down the road." She chuckled.
"What? Who are they? I don't even know them!" Sam frowned.
"Well apparently you dated every single one of them, I told them to high tail it out of here before I shoot them cos your already taken and that that song is for your special girl," she grinned.
"Well unfortunately I'm not officially taken yet Grammy!" Sam fell miserably onto the sofa.
"Yes you are!"
"No, Mercedes doesn't want us to go there yet, she wants us to get to know each other again first." he huffed.
Grandmother Evans looked toward the staircase, and smiled, "awww…that's just a technicality Samuel, you and Mercedes Jones are sealed for life."
Sam frustratingly ran his hands through his blond locks. "She won't agree to be my girlfriend yet Grammy, and it's not because I don't want to either, she- I um I think she thinks I don't really love her, she keeps asking me if I love her and why."
"Why on earth would she think that you don't love her Samuel?" she queried.
"Well…" Sam began to relay the history of their breakup to his grandmother.
The next minute Sam felt a hard slap across his cheek as his grandmother thwacked him with her right hand.
"What the hell did you have to say 'look at her' for you silly boy, oh Sam Evans, that is the worst thing you can say to a woman!" she growled.
"I know that now Grammy," he sighed frustratingly, covering his face with his hands, "I just don't know what to do or how to show her I how much I love her, she thinks she's not good enough for me, but it is me that-"
"Is certainly not good enough for her," she interrupted; completing his sentence, "Oh Samuel you are such an idiot!" she gasped and hit him once again lightly across the head.
Sam began to weep, "It doesn't matter how many times you hit me, I just love her so much Grammy it hurts worse than your slaps, but she doesn't think I do, I don't know what to do now!"
Grandma Evans sat beside Sam and placed a hand lovingly upon his shoulder and whispered, "You need to show her Samuel, you need to show her."
"How Grammy, how?" he grimaced.
"You'll figure it out," she smiled and kissed him on his blonde locks, "you're an Evans and you know she adores you too."
"You think Grammy? cos right now I don't feel very adored, well not by the person I want to be adored by."
"Everything will be fine Samuel," she smiled, kissing him once more upon his head and then gathered the refreshments off the counter as she exited the room.
Sam sat despondently on the couch and whispered, "I sure hope your right Grammy, I sure hope your right!"
…..
Mercedes felt a little better after her rest and happily went to the concert venue with Sam. As soon as Sam stepped out of the limousine he was mobbed. Sam then went to Mercedes door and opened it offering his hand to her.
Mercedes grimaced biting her bottom lip, "Sammy I don't want to get out, I'm afraid!"
"Come on Mercy, please I want you to be by my side, please!"
Mercedes gulped and then feigned a smile, "Ok Sammy!" she whispered and took his hand.
Immediately screams arose and cameras flashed left right and centre. Then a number of reporters flocked to Sam's side, causing Mercedes and Sam's hands to separate. Sam stopped and turned to grab Mercedes, but she was being pushed along with the heaving throng that enveloped them, Sam pushed through the crowd whilst people continuously screamed his name and took hold of Mercedes hand then quickly pulled her close to him.
"Sorry darling!" he whispered as he took her in his arms.
Suddenly more reporters crowded them, Sam pushed them away.
"No interviews right now thank you," he screamed and marched toward the stage entrance, his arms protecting Mercedes as his bodyguards pushed them away.
When they were safe in the confines of the building Sam anxiously looked into Mercedes eyes and then searched her person for bruises, absolutely worried for her wellbeing, "are you ok darling!" he whispered concern emanating from his voice.
"Yeah Sammy," she smiled and placed her hand on his cheek.
Sam placed his head on her forehead and whispered, "sorry darling about that, I'm so sorry I-"
Sam was rudely interrupted when someone grabbed him from behind, pushed him against the wall kissed him on the lips.
Sam pushed her away and wiped his mouth disgusted, "Brooke!" He yelled, "What the hell are you doing?"
Mercedes looked on absolutely stunned.
The buxom blonde saddled closer to Sam and smirked, "you know you didn't have to go on national television to get my attention Evans," she grinned and then grabbed his head and kissed him smack on the lips again. Sam pushed her away. Sam never believed in hitting a woman but this one really needed to get the message. He so wished his grandmother was there.
The buxom blonde went in for the kill again, this time Sam held her at arm's length and there was no way she was getting near him.
"What the hell Brooke!" Sam quickly turned to Mercedes who stood agape shaking her head in disbelief
"No Mercy she and I-I w-we are not together we…" Sam stood wide eyed looking at Mercedes and trying to hold the blonde at bay.
Next minute an arm wrapped around the neck of blonde Brooke as another buxom blonde, blonde Deanna, came onto the scene slapping blonde Brooke fare across the face.
"Keep your mingy little hands off my man you b-!"
The next minute, the two were wrestling each other onto the floor and cursing at each other.
"What the hell Sam!" Mercedes yelled.
At that the two women stopped fighting having noticed the curvaceous ebony beauty in front of them.
"Sam!" Mercedes yelled, "who the hell are these women?!"
Sam stood dumbstruck.
"Not that it's any of your business," retorted blonde Brooke, trying desperately to tidy her mangled hair and pulling a fake nail out of it, I am Sam's fiancé.
"No, I am!" screamed blonde Deanna, "he proposed to me and he put food on the floor for me to eat and everything…I didn't even care that the manky floor had nasty unknown substances on it, it was really romantic!" she grinned batting her eyelashes at Sam.
"That was romantic?! I doubt it…what about the map he drew for me out of crayon guiding me to his romantic proposal with the antique (well actually thrift shop) ring he bought me and everything…now that's romance!" she smiled winking seductively at Sam.
The two blondes sneered at each other.
"Bitch!"
"Whore!"
The next minute all you could hear was a slap then another slap and then they were both on the floor fighting again as fake locks, fake nails and fake boobs flew everywhere.
"Who is it SAM?" blonde Deanna screamed holding her opponent in a head lock, "Was it her or was it me you were talking about on Ellen, Sam?!"
"It was me!" Blonde Brooke screamed, "it was me you stupid witch!"
"Ok that's it!" Mercedes stormed off, Sam in tow, taking no notice of the women who were still fighting for his affections.
"W-where are you going Mercy, p-please don't go Mercy!" he pleaded and reached out to touch her.
"Don't touch me Sam!" She screamed, "Did you really propose to those airheads?"
Sam hung his head in shame.
"Oh. my. Gosh! You are so basic…" she gasped, "and did you really do those ridiculous things?"
"Um I um…I was young!"
"Oh Sam you are beyond basic, you are an absolute loser from loser Ville!" she yelled.
"B-but no Mercy…the floor wasn't really dirty it-"
"Oh hell to the nah!" Mercedes screamed and stomped out the stage door.
The crowd outside screamed as she exited.
Sam pulled her back inside and pleaded, "please don't go Mercy, please, I was just going through a stupid teenage faze it meant nothing."
Mercedes looked toward the ground wringing her hands nervously.
Suddenly another bimbo of the brunette kind shimmied toward him.
"Hey SSSam!" she seductively slid toward him and whispered, flashing a ring in front of him, "I saw Ellen and the answer is yes!"
"What the hell, I haven't asked you anything Angie!" Sam balked.
"Yes you did remember, by the banks of the river you got down on one knee and gave me this. I love you too my Sam bam bam," she pouted going in for the kiss. Sam moved and the girl kissed Mercedes forehead instead.
"Oh hell no!" Mercedes screamed and threw the stage door open to the screams of eager fans once again.
Sam grabbed her and pulled her in once again. Pulling her close he whispered, "please don't go Mercy, please I beg of you."
"Sam I…" she looked toward the floor shaking her head in absolute dismay.
Sam released Mercedes then turned to Angie, "look Angie that song is not yours it belongs to only one person and this is her right he-" he turned to grab Mercedes hand but she was gone. Sam opened the stage doors once again to the cheers of the immense crowd. He searched for Mercedes but she was gone. As tears filled his eyes he turned back and made his way back inside to the disappointment of eager fans.
Sam entered the building totally despondent and fell to the ground. He pulled out his cell phone and rang her number, the call went to answer phone. Sam hung up in a pool of sadness as he tried again, all the while watching the scene before him as his body guards hauled the two blondes and the bedraggled brunette from the venue. The phone went to voice message once again, Sam left a message,"Mercy I'm sorry, can you please just tell me if you are ok, I am worried about you, I'm sorry Mercy I'm sorry." he cried.
Sam then stood and began wiping his tears away.
"Hey Sam!" Puck grinned walking toward him, "what the hell were your exes doing here just before, I saw Deanna and Brooke wrestling up a storm before. It would have been hot if it had of been jelly they were wrestling in," he chortled
Sam waved him away, "You don't want to know about it Puck!" just then Sam received a text.
"Yes I do…hey… I thought Diva would be here…you did ditch me for her yah know, mind you I'd do the same too…" Puck looked around, "so where is she?"
Sam looked at his text and smiled a little knowing Mercedes was safe.
I'm on my way back to the farm, we will talk later sometime. Mercedes
Sam closed his eyes, "She's gone back to the ranch," Sam whispered head down cast as he sat miserably back down onto the floor once again, "she thinks I'm basically basic."
"Oh!" Puck chuckled, "she found out about the food on the floor thing and the crayon map!"
"Yeah and the people I asked to marry!" Sam groaned.
"What did you tell her about all seventeen of them?!" Puck frowned.
"Um…no! but…um you…know that was so long ago I was young and stupid,"
"You're a loser Sam Evans," Puck chuckled and then turned to walk away, "frankly…" he yelled before he disappeared out of sight, "she's too good for you," Puck chuckled as he vanished into the crowd.
"Basically basic is true," Sam groaned and lay his head in his hands, dreading the concert before him and the inevitable conversation he would have with Mercedes later on.
….
Despite everything the concert still went off without a hitch but none of the songs meant anything to him, all he wanted to do was to return to the ranch and to see Mercedes, he never even attended the after party held in his honour.
As he entered the darkened home, only the light of a small lamp which lit a corner of the lounge illuminated his path. Sam made his way up stairs and headed toward his room, but stopped in front of Mercedes room and raised his hand to knock on the door. Suddenly the hall way light flicked on.
"You are not going to wake her up are you Samuel Dwight Evans!" the gruff voice of Grandma Evans sounded.
"Um…I… um,"
"It took me ages to calm her down Samuel Dwight Evans!"
Sam knew his Grammy was angry; she never used his full name unless she was livid.
"How many Samuel?"
"How many what?"
"Don't act ignorant?"
"How many?"
"Seventeen!" he mumbled.
"What? I didn't hear you!"
"Seventeen," he whispered.
"Oh hell Samuel Dwight Evans! Mercedes said there were three, but there were seventeen of them?! Oh, this is the lowest I have ever heard an Evans stoop. You know what it tells me about your character? You can't make your mind up and you fall in love with people at the drop of a dam hat! And the whole food on the floor thing, now that's just dam well disgusting!"
"Well it was supposed to be cute at the time," Sam grimaced.
"I ought to just slap you right now…CUTE yeah maybe for a PUPPY DOG!...and you expect that poor girl in there to believe that you have loved her all this time and you have asked seventeen people to marry you!"
"But it was a long time ago Grammy I was a young when I did some of those things, it was after Mercy left…I just lost my head."
"Yeah seventeen times!" she screamed and then rolled her eyes. "Get to bed Samuel and leave that poor girl alone, I can't even stand the sight of you right now, degrading woman like that," she then turned and returned to her room stopping only to ensure Sam did not return to Mercedes room.
Sam dragged his way to his bedroom and flopped down upon the mattress, "I can't believe this day has turned out to be so wrong," he groaned closing his eyes. "I do love you Mercy I honestly do," he whispered as tears filled his eyes.
…..
Mercedes avoided Sam the next day, Sam tried to get his grandparents to help him work things out with Mercedes but they didn't want to have a bar of it. Sam searched the ranch for Mercedes to no avail as she had gone into town with Grandpa Evans. Then Mercedes went somewhere else with Grandma Evans, and then she just disappeared. If Sam didn't know better he would think that his grandparents were conspiring to keep him and Mercedes apart.
Day three and still no talking and tonight would be Sam's final concert in Tennessee. Sam never got to spend any time alone with Mercedes since the night from hell. She never even spoke to him or acknowledged him
Sam sat at the table as his grandmother set his food before him for lunch.
"Grammy…" he sheepishly enquired, "is Mercy coming down!"
"Maybe she will or maybe she won't Samuel Dwight Evans," she snarled.
Sam looked towards his grandfather who scowled at Sam and gave him a grunt of disapproval.
"Where is she Grammy? Please tell me I've been looking for her everywhere!"
"No!"
"Please Grammy, this will be our last night together and I think I won't see her again," tears filled his eyes and began to trickle down his cheek, "I know she only stayed to make me happy…cos…I asked her when we left Seattle…and in spite of everything that has happened…she's still h-here." Sam hung his head despondently as more tears ran down his cheeks.
"She is up the apple tree Samuel," his grandmother huffed, noisily clattering dishes as she did so.
"You are far too soft darling," Grandpa Evans groaned and then smiled at his wife.
Sam quickly made his way to his room and opened the window, eyeing Mercedes as she lay on one of the branches.
"Hey Mercy, can I join you?" Sam apprehensively whispered as he climbed out on to the branch.
"What do you want Sam? She growled, "Don't worry, I won't cramp your style any more, I'm going home tomorrow!"
Sam grimaced and then etched his way closer to Mercedes, "Mercy, I'm sorry."
Silence
"I am really sorry about what happened the other day Mercy!"
Silence
"Um Mercy…I know it's a stretch but are you gonna come to the concert tonight…it's my final one tonight and I have a song well some songs I want to sing you. There are a couple of songs I really want you to listen too,"
Finally Mercedes answered, "Um…I…um…I don't know!"
Sam became frustrated, "Dam it Mercy you always say you don't know. Make up your mind, if you don't want to be with me Mercy then why are you still here?"
"How the hell did you just turn everything around?" She gaped, "I'm angry because you sing a song and say you have loved me like forever but it's not true, because as soon the spot beside you is cold, you move on just like tha, hence all your dam fiancés… and yeah your right, I really don't know why I'm still here!"
She turned away and began to descend the tree.
"W-where are you going Mercy?"
"Home!"
"What?"
"Look Sam, your right what am I doing here I'm going back to Cincinnati,"
"No! Please don't go Mercy,"
"Look Sam, after that epic speech you just made about making my mind up then I have no other choice, you and I were over 10 years ago, a lot has happened and we are different people now."
"What about the other day by the river in our spot," Sam grimaced.
"Look Sam I don't want to do this anymore I'm out of here, you're an ignoramus!"
"No dam it you cannot walk out on us!" Sam screamed scaling down after her.
"Us? Sam there is no us…there is you and all your fans and fiancé's, there is you and whatever you imagine us to be, there is no you and I, no us!"
"You cannot seriously say that you do not still love me Mercy you cannot!"
"Look Sam! I will always love you but…that special love died that day at breadsticks and now all these girls and weirdness I…um-"
"So that's really what this is about," Sam interrupted, "What the hell Mercy, I told you never meant I word I said to you that day when we broke up!"
"You say that Sam, but why did you have to say any of those words, you hurt me Sam, and
Yeah it may have been because you thought you were helping me, but Sam you died that day in my eyes. You destroyed the young carefree, wide eyed girl who thought we could do anything together." Mercedes sighed and then huffed, "I don't want to do this anymore I'm leaving!"
Sam moved to stop her, Mercedes pulled out of his grasp and sighed, "Do you know Sam how long it took me to think I was even half way attractive?" Mercedes wept, "Do you know how many times I cried remembering the words you said? 'look at her and look at you.' Do you know how much I hate that song strawberry wine? That's why I never wanted to call you Sammy anymore, because Sammy died 10 years ago…well before that. My Sammy died on the banks of our river that's when he left me…my Sammy isn't this big dam country star that sleeps with every freaking girl he can lay his hands on and proposes to every bimbo in town, my Sammy is the young boy I met on the banks of the river who I shared a strawberry wine with, you are not my Sammy, he is gone and doesn't exist anymore," she sobbed and made her way down the tree.
Sam stopped descending and sat holding onto the branches as he watched Mercedes leave.
"Mercy!" he whispered, his head downcast as he watched her enter the house, "I am the same Sammy Mercy, I am…I am the same Sammy who saw you that day by the banks of the river, who was so nervous that this beautiful girl would even talk to him. I am the same Sammy who taught you to ride Charlie and was tortured each day because he didn't know how to tell you how much he loved you. The same Sammy who danced with you at the strawberry festival in Humboldt and who nervously asked you do dance and you said your feet were too sore so he carried you…it really is me Mercy!" He cried as tears filled his eyes.
Mercedes packed her bags immediately and Grandma and Grandpa Evans took her to her plane. Sam sat amongst the pink apple blossoms and wept for hours, totally despondent, he had his last concert in Tennessee and everything had just gone to hell.
….
"Hey y'all this is my final song as you know," Sam sighed, the crowd roared.
Sam's heart had not been in his performance. He felt he had no heart, he felt lifeless. The past few days had truly been a revelation to Sam. He had professed love and marriage to a hoard of girls in his past but yet for ten years he had not made a move to do the same to the one he truly claimed to love. He talked a lot about his love for Mercedes and pined for her for ten long years but he did very little to make her his. Dam it, you truly are an asshole Sam Evans, Sam thought whilst looking out toward the adoring crowd. All these people are here for you, all these people would do so much for you, but the only person who means the world to you Sam Evans isn't here, she's in Cincinnati. Sam shook his head, it's time to man up Sammy and go for what you really want, or who you really want. And stop wasting life chasing everything you don't want.
Sam picked up his guitar and smiled, "um I think I might have to go on Ellen again…" he chuckled as he began to pick the introduction to Strawberry wine, the crowd roared and cheered at his remark, "Because there's been a bit of confusion as to who this special song really belongs to. But I have no qualms in telling you, that she is the most beautiful woman to me, so if y'all see my Mercy, that's what I call her…" he whispered, "i-if you see her before me, could you please pass this message on for me and tell her…tell her Samuel Dwight Evans loves Mercedes Amber Jones with all his heart."
"Thank y'all so much for being here tonight," Sam smiled as tears filled his eyes, "y'all keep safe going home and God bless… this song belongs to my Mercy…"
She was working through college on my grandpa's farm
I was thirsting for knowledge and she had a car….
Sam choked as he came to the chorus, finding it so difficult to sing the words, so he allowed the crowd to carry the song instead as tears streamed down his cheeks. The crowd sang as the flickers of light emanated in the distance.
Like strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love oh bittersweet
Green on the vine
Like strawberry wine
Sam stared intently at the crowd, and smiled, "thank y'all for that, yah sounded beautiful." Sam bowed his head, closed his eyes and continued.
I still remember when thirty was old
And my biggest fear was September when she had to go…
Of strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love oh bittersweet
Green on the vine
Like strawberry wine…
As the song ended, Sam bowed to the crowd, blew kisses out into the audience, then smiled and bowed once more acknowledging the band and back-up singers. He then bowed one last time and made his way to his dressing room.
When he got there, as usual, Puck waited and stood making his way to the door and smiled "Great concert brother," and laid his hand encouragingly on Sam's shoulder, then he went to the door and exited and began locking the door behind him, however, before the door clicked Sam yelled, "Puck!" Puck walked back in with an inquisitive look upon his face. Sam never usually called him this quickly after the concert. That wasn't the routine. Puck usually left, Sam mopped for an hour and then turned up at the after party.
Sam walked towards Puck and smiled, "Can you do me a favour brother?"
"Yeah…sure brother what can I do?" Puck eyed Sam suspiciously.
Sam collected his jacket and grinned from ear to ear, "when's our next concert?"
Puck looked at him speculatively again, "um…" he groaned, "Thursday, Friday and Saturday coming, why?"
"Well… book a mini concert for Tuesday," Sam grinned.
"Aye Sam?!" Puck scowled, "Hell that's late notice Sam, that's like only two days away! Where are we going?"
"We are going to Cincinnati Puck," he chuckled throwing an arm around Puck as they exited.
Oh yes Mercedes Jones, he grinned, I ain't giving up…I'm a comin to get yah Miss Jones, he smiled as the two friends walked out of the building and jumped into the waiting limousine.
Thanks again :)... Sorry about the mistakes folks...and also I do not watch Glee at all anymore so the thing I wrote about the map and food on the floor escapade I heard from tumblr. I was so disgusted with what I heard I had to write it in this fic to portray my absolute abhorrence of them dumbing down poor old Sam and to show how ridiculous season 4 Glee is...lol!
Blessings and goodness always..Please review if you can:)