Hello once again. Here we are again...Just want to thank y'all for your fabulousness... to our reviewers, readers, favoriters and followers. You are all so wonderful.
love and goodness to my writing cohort..Tara..thanks so much love for your support
Disclaimer: No song or characters belong to me. But I love this song :)
Chapter 6: Strawberry Wine.
"Shush!"
"Cedes!"
"No seriously, shut up Finn,"
Finn rolled his eyes and chuckled saddling up to his friend and resting his head upon her shoulder.
Finn knew very well never to interrupt Mercedes as she watched scandal, but dam it, he just couldn't help himself. Her annoyance amused him so much.
"Cedes," Finn piped up, his head still resting on her shoulder," what are we doing this weekend?"
No reply
"Cedes? Cedes? Cedes!"
"Ok Finn Hudson, if you say one more word I'm gonna throttle you!" Mercedes glared.
Cheryl tended the bar as Finn continued to lay his head on Mercedes shoulder on the verge of slumber. There were a number of patrons in the bar for lunch, but not so many, that Cheryl and the gang couldn't handle them sufficiently by themselves.
Finn nodded off into dream world as he positioned himself onto Mercedes lap and Mercedes gazed spellbound off into scandal world. The two were totally caught up in their own musing when the small tinkle of bells rang once more signalling the entrance of more patrons. Then screams of joy were heard as the bar became a hustling bustling hive of activity as reporters and fans screamed,
"Mr Evans what are you doing in Cincinnati?"
"Mr Evans how long are you here for?"
"Mr Evans can I please have your autograph?"
"Please step away …"Puck sounded pushing the reporters gently to the side then glanced at Sam's bodyguards, "Mr Evans has a benefit concert which will be held in the park adjacent to this establishment, tomorrow night at 6.00 pm."
Suddenly Sam's minders stepped in front of the reporters and pushed them outside the bar stating,
"Mr Evans will not be answering any questions at this time. This is a private establishment and you must leave!"
You would think that all this kerfuffle would alert Mercedes to reality and tear her away from her world of scandal, and at the very least awake Finn from his slumber, but it did not. Mercedes was so engrossed in her most favorite program of all time that instead of paying heed to the commotion which filled the bar, she quickly increased the volume of the television set, while Finn lay sound asleep on her lap, oblivious to what was happening around him.
Sam spotted Mercedes seated on the long settee, her back toward him; her long now lightened locks cascading down her back. He looked up to the television set and smiled, "scandal," he chuckled and walked toward her. Those few days in Tennessee Mercedes had told him about her penchant for the program scandal. He had never seen it, but Mercedes vivid portrayal of it alerted him to the fact that indeed it was a program he would try and watch, if only for Mercedes sake. Patrons from the bar began to hound Sam for his autograph; Sam signed a few and then made a beeline for Mercedes.
Approaching the couch Sam frowned as he finally caught glimpse of the being lying beside her, no not beside her, on her! In her lap!
Sam's eyes widened and gawped. What the hell he grimaced, Finn the lanky Sasquatch was laying on Mercedes lap, the lap that only he should be privy too. The lap that only Sam Evans was allowed to rest his weary head on the la-
"Hey Diva!" Puck screamed,
"Shut up!" Mercedes grimaced, her head not turning to acknowledge the booming voice.
Puck froze.
Sam was still on Sasquatch alert.
Then suddenly Mercedes turned around and smiled, "oh my Puck! I'm sorry I didn't know it was you! She went to move but didn't want to wake Finn, "Oh sorry Puck, come here and give me a hug."
Puck jumped over the settee and wrapped his arms around Mercedes holding her a little longer and harder, than he should have, and winked at Sam.
Well now Sam was undone, first Sasquatch was in his girls lap and now his ex-best friend had his arms around her, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists ready to punch Pucks smirky face and drag Finn out onto the street.
Then Mercedes turned around and saw Sam.
She frowned at first and then smiled; "Sam!" opening her arms to him.
Sam blushed and smiled shyly then timidly walked toward her and held out his hand.
Mercedes anger toward Sam had now subsided. When she returned to Cincinnati she realised that she didn't need to hang onto that anger. She was happy with her life. Her, Finn and Artie were like three peas in a pod. She had a great job as a part time bartender and singer in Finns bar and she had various offers for her law firm, so Mercedes felt incredibly blessed. She didn't even care that Sam was basically basic anymore. She just concluded, he has no clue on real love, and dismissed his ignorance.
Mercedes looked at Sam's hand took it then pulled him down into a warm embrace. Sam revelled in it, the scent of her perfume, the touch of her body, sent tingles throughout his body.
All too soon their embrace was over and Sam positioned himself on the lounge opposite Mercedes next to Puck.
"It's good to see you again Diva," Puck grinned from ear to ear.
"It's good to see you Puck," Mercedes smiled.
"So Diva, you look really hot with your hair lightened and all," he winked
Mercedes smiled, "thanks Puck…" she then took the remote and turned the television set off and smiled. "Now I hope you two realise that you have encroached onto my scandal time, but lucky it is you two because I would not turn this off for just anyone."
Puck smiled, "you're making me blush Miss Jones on how much importance you place upon me." He then wiggled his eyebrows and breathed, trying to sound seductive, "Diva, run away with me and let's make mad passionate love together." Then he licked his lips.
"WHAT THE HELL PUCK!" Sam screamed.
"I'm just kidding Sam bam thank you ma'am," He smirked chuckling at Sam.
Sam huffed and cast his eyes toward the floor utterly disgusted with his friend's behaviour, but not surprised.
Puck looked at Mercedes and mouthed, no Im not, and then winked at her once more.
Mercedes giggled, Puck always made her laugh and she was use to his ways as he always flirted with her. Mercedes knew he was just joking. Well actually Mercedes thought he was just joking, but little did she know, he certainly was NOT!
Puck looked at Finn resting his head comfortably in Mercedes lap, "Is he dead or what?" he smirked pointing to Finn."
"Oh…" Mercedes chuckled, "he's really tired because he had to balance the books last night , so he really needs to rest. The good thing with Finney here is the fact that a herd of elephants could run through this bar and he won't even begin to wake."
Puck grinned and then queried, "So Diva you and Finn?" Puck mouthed, "what's up with you two?"
Mercedes frowned at first and then smiled, "Oh no, Puck we are fantastic friends, it's not like that at all."
Puck smirked, "Well Diva, he's looking pretty comfortable in your lap an all, I think he and I should trade places."
Mercedes giggled.
"ONE MORE COMMENT DAM IT PUCK AND I'M GONNA SMASH YOUR HEAD IN!" Sam stood and screamed directly into Pucks face.
Sam was livid, he was so angry that Puck would blatantly hit on Mercedes right in front of him, knowing how much Sam loved her.
Puck was unfazed by Sam's outburst and smiled, "C'mon Sammy you know I'm only joking! Jesh," he groaned as he rolled his eyes, "talk about jealous much!"
Sam's fists were clenched ready to pound some Puck. Sam knew Puck wasn't joking. Puck had been in love with Mercedes Jones since high school. Slowly Mercedes stood having placed a jumper under Finns head and gently positioned him properly onto the couch lifting his long legs upon it. Then she took Sam's arm, electricity quickly enveloping them from her touch.
"Calm down Sam, Puck doesn't mean a thing he says, your just over reacting, let's sit down and you need to tell me what you two are doing all the way here in Cincinnati." Mercedes whispered taking Sam's hand.
Sam sat down taking in deep breathes trying his best to keep calm.
"Ok…" Puck smiled, "while old cool calm and collected here gathers himself I'll explain, Sam's doing a charity concert tomorrow night here in Cincinnati."
"Wow where?"
"At the park cross the road," he grinned.
"Wow…the Park across the road?!"
"Yeah," Puck smiled.
"What's the charity?"
"It's a children's charity for the children's hospital here in Cincinnati!"
"Wow, Sam that is wonderful!" Mercedes stared in stunned wonderment.
Sam raised his head, and smiled their eyes briefly meeting for a second, the entire world blocked out in that brief space in time.
Then Mercedes smiled, turning to Puck, "So what time does it start?"
6.00 pm
Mercedes smiled, "that is so great Sam,"
Sam blushed and ran his hands through his blonde locks.
Suddenly Artie entered wrapping his arms around Mercedes waist.
"Hello wifey," he smiled.
You've got to be kidding, Sam thought rolling his eyes.
Puck gasped, "What the hells with the wifey thing Artie, you two aren't, you know are you? He scowled.
One thing Sam was sometimes grateful to Puck for, was his need to say exactly what was on his mind, even if it was to Sam's detriment at times.
Mercedes laughed, "Nah we ain't."
"Yes we are …" Artie grinned, "she's just in denial."
Mercedes slapped him playfully on the arm then grinned, "Artie and I have pledged that in 20 years' time if we are not married, we will marry each other."
Artie wiggled his eyebrows, "yep so I'm getting practise in now in preparation for our pending nuptials," he smiled.
Sam sat uneasy then stood and grabbed Mercedes hand, "I need to talk to you Mercy!"
He pulled her through the throng, through the double doors and out into the garden bar finding a small nook in the corner.
When they got there Mercedes pulled her hand out of his and grimaced, "what are you doing Sam?"
"I've come to get you!"
"What?"
"I'm here because I want you, a-and only you!"
w-what?
"I love you Mercy with every fibre of my being and I'm in Cincinnati because I want to be with you, I don't want you to be with anyone, no one else but me, and dam that Artie, no way no how is he marrying you!"
Silence
Then Sam began to kneel down onto one knee.
"Oh no! You are not!" Mercedes grimaced, gawping as Sam moved to kneel down.
"Yes I am. Miss Mercedes Jones will you do me the honour in-"
"Get the hell up, get the hell up now!"
"What?"
"I do not want your pitiful proposal Sam Evans!"
"But I lo-"
"Yeah, that's what you say, but dam it you must be like addicted to proposing or something, I think you need serious help!" she screamed.
"N-no Mercy I'm serious I only want you I-"
"No, I'm not even gonna try and pretend you are serious, this is just ridiculous," Mercedes waved her arms in frustration, "hell Sam you have proposed to 17 people, yes your nana told me, well almost 18 counting me. And what the hell, at least you were a little more elaborate with your other proposals despite their utter ridiculousness. But for me you just pull me outside and whip a ring out! I don't know Sam, I'm going back inside. I just can't do this with you right now!"
"Stop running from me Mercy!" Sam cried tears filling his green orbs.
"Running? Running! Sam Evans, what the hell do you expect from me? You pledge your undying love for me and propose to 17 other women. You pledge your undying love for me and then you're saddled up with floozies left right and centre!"
"We weren't together…" Sam breathed, "I couldn't handle our separation so I just threw myself out there, I tried to fill the void that can only be filed by you Mercy, only you."
"Sam, if you wanted to fill the void then take up a hobby like knitting or something, not sleep with the first floozy to cross your path!" Mercedes screamed and then sat down frustrated on one of the benches outside, "look Sam, I-I can't marry you, I-I can't take you seriously, I-I-you just aren't my Sammy!" She laid her head in her hands shaking her head profusely.
Sam was desperate. He could see in Mercedes eyes that she had a resolve, a resolve that Sam Evans was just a joke, a resolve that he knew if he didn't do something quick he would lose Mercedes love forever.
"Look Mercy, l-let's do what we were supposed to do when you came to T-Tennessee, I am the same boy Mercy, deep down" he stammered nervously wringing his hands, tears ready to fall, "l-let's get to know each other, that's all I ask, spend the next couple of days with me Mercy please, come to dinner with me… tonight…p- please, just you and I Mercy please!"
Mercedes grimaced, "I know I will regret this but-"
Sam grinned from ear to ear, "thank you Mercy!" and he kissed her on her forehead.
Mercedes stood their bodies' only inches apart from each other.
Sam smiled, "thank you Mercy you won't regret it!"
Mercedes smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes, I'm sure I will regret it she thought, I'm sure I will.
….
Mercedes ran her hand along her dress
Don't expect anything out of this Mercedes Jones, just leave it be, Sam doesn't know what he wants, he's a propose- a-holic, she giggled then grabbed her clutch and hastily exited her tiny apartment.
Mercedes chose to meet Sam wherever he wanted. She didn't want to be beholding to him in any way, so taking her own vehicle allowed her the freedom of choice and gave her the option to leave if the need arose.
Sam sat fidgeting at their designated rendezvous. He looked nervously at his watch for the twentieth time in a row and then began pacing back and forth.
Maybe she isn't coming; he thought and looked at this watch again. It was one minute past six and Sam began to panic.
Ok Sam, don't panic, he started to breathe in and out trying to constrain himself, It all fine. Everything is absolutely fine. She's only one minute and, he looked at his watch again, and 25, 26, 27, 28 seconds late, Sam began to pace once more, trying desperately to calm down.
Then suddenly a couple of headlights pierced the darkened scene.
Sam smiled; she's here, and began lighting the candles on the table.
Sam had set up an elaborate scene in a small area of the park in which he would be having his concert the next evening. A small Gazebo graced the venue and thousands of fairy lights decorated the white picturesque shelter. The beautiful Gazebo was surrounded by a stunning garden filled with a plethora of flowers whose fragrance filled the warm air. Leading up to the small Gazebo were the soft glow of hundreds of candles which lit its path. As one entered the scene one would swear it was a miniature shot of the barnyard in Humboldt. The table was an exact replica, the flowers on the table, the strawberry coloured settings, and the hay bales, everything.
Sam stood nervously at the beginning of the path, waiting to meet Mercedes, his hands were clammy and sweaty and he was visibly trembling. I hope she likes this! Sam nervously shook, secretly holding his breath. When he saw her car come to a halt, he quickly ran to open her car door.
"Oh thank you Sam," she smiled glancing briefly at how handsome he looked.
"Y-you look beautiful Mercy…" he blushed taking in her red silk wrap around dress which accentuated all her curves. Her lightened hair cascaded past her shoulders, her make up soft and subtle highlighting her beautiful brown eyes. Sam gasped, "So beautiful Mercy!"
As he closed her car door he offered her a dozen red long stem roses.
"Thank you Sam, they are lovely," Mercedes smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
Sam blushed again. He felt like he was seventeen again and as if he was going to burst with happiness.
As they walked along the illuminated path toward the small Gazebo Mercedes smiled as she spotted the scene.
"Oh my Sam…" Mercedes gasped, her eyes sparkling in wonderment, "this is just like that barn in Humboldt."
"Yeah," Sam smiled as his eyes met hers.
Dam it! Mercedes don't look into those mesmerising green beautiful eyes of his; she thought and quickly changed the subject and then walked around the venue admiring the scene.
"Just wow Sam, it so beautiful," she smiled twirling around taking it all in.
Sam felt chuffed. It took him some time that afternoon to prepare the venue and he was glad his effort was worth his time seeing the fascinated look on Mercedes face.
Sam offered her a chair and pulled it out for her to be seated; he then lifted the covers off the silver platters revealing their contents. All of Mercedes favourite foods graced them.
Sam then smiled leaning toward her taking her hand," I love you Mercy," he whispered kissing her softly on the cheek. Then he rose and pulled out a chilled bottle of Strawberry wine and poured it into the waiting wine flutes.
"I would like to make a toast to you Mercy," he smiled, "to Mercedes Jones the love of my life who stole my heart on the banks of the Tennessee River and who keeps it to this day."
Mercedes smiled nervously and then raised her glass as a string quartet played Mercedes favourite tunes in the background.
Just then strawberry wine began.
Sam stood and offered Mercedes his hand, "May I have this dance, Mercedes Jones?"
Mercedes bowed her head and smiled, "yes, you may Sam Evans."
Sam pulled her to her feet and held her close. Their bodies fitted perfectly as they knitted together, moving in time to the music.
Sam pulled Mercedes still closer and whispered in Mercedes ear, "Mercy, I know you don't believe I love you, but believe me baby, I am going to do everything in my power to prove to you how much I love you, will you let me do that Mercy?"
Mercedes smiled as Sam's green eyes met hers and her brown eyes met his. They were caught up in each other's gaze like what seemed forever. Then slowly but surely Sam brushed his lips against hers. His lips traced her soft lips seductively. One kiss fell into another and then finally their kiss deepened as Mercedes allowed Sam entry. Her hands snaked under his tuxedo jacket and his hand traced her back tenderly.
"Mercedes…" Sam smiled as their hands began to trace each other's body, "I love you!"
"Sam, oh Sammy," Mercedes whispered, "I-"
Just then there was a screech, and the two of them pulled themselves apart to meet their uninvited guest.
"Sam Tim tam, what are you doing?" The horrified guest looked aghast.
"What the hell?" Sam looked upon the uninvited totally bewildered and then gasped, "Mandy, what the hell are you doing here?" he stood dumfounded.
The tall blonde approached him and took him into a deep embrace
Sam looked at Mercedes and then to Mandy.
He never pushed the woman away, he never said a word. He just stood there flabbergasted.
Mercedes stood there taking in the scene, wondering who this new stranger was in their midst.
Then she looked at Sam his eyes down cast, tears began to plague his eyes.
"Another one," Mercedes whispered, Sam couldn't even lift his head up to acknowledge Mercedes quiet statement.
"Howdy ma'am," the young perky blonde screeched, "I don no if Tim tam here has told y'all about me but-"
"You're his fiancé!" Mercedes grimaced.
"Yeah, how do yah do? The names Mandy!" she smiled holding out her hand.
"Look Mandy I'm sorry about the whole kissing thing just before with you being his FINANCE and all but SAM neglected in telling me which fiancé you are! Mercedes frowned glaring knowingly at Sam.
"That's fine Tim tam and I have an open relationship, sorry about the whole screeching thing but I'm still getting use to him kissing other women. I'm number 17 by the way, yeah I know about the other ones but I didn't know about you? Oh hang on, I think I do, your Mercedes aren't you?" she smiled shaking Mercedes hand, "your reputation precedes you. I can see why Sam was head over heels in love with you, but woman, you will have to step back because he and I are truly engaged."
"How long have you been engaged for?" Mercedes whispered, tears pricking her eyes
"About 6 months so far. I saw him on Ellen and when that song came on I knew it was a sign of his love for me. Sam sang strawberry wine to me the night he asked me to marry him,"
"Sam?" Mercedes looked questioningly into Sam's eyes, shaking her head.
"I did not sing it to you Mandy, and it's not yours!" Sam blurted and then closed his eyes wishing that this was just a bad dream. He then stepped forward to take Mercedes hand.
"No Sam don't touch me please, just don't!" Mercedes bawled.
Mercedes was stunned, the other girls she knew were pretty expendable but this one she knew was different. Her interaction with Sam was different the things she knew were different, Sam was different around her. She even knew who she was.
Mercedes grabbed her clutch and her shawl and walked away in utter despair. Sam ran after her.
Sam tried to hold her hand, "please Mercy let me explain," he cried as tears ran down his cheeks.
"Sam? I knew, I thought strawberry wine was- but I was- I," Mercedes couldn't even form sentences.
"Mercy, please it not hers, its-"
She ran to her car and desperately tried to place her keys in the lock amidst tear stained eyes. Finally she opened it as Sam grabbed her keys off her.
"Give me my dam keys Sam!"
"You have to let me explain,"
"NO! GIVE ME MY DAM KEYS NOW!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
The impromptu intruder sat at the table watching the scene. She then smiled and began eating the food on the table and then began introducing herself to the stringed quartet, and then politely asked them to leave.
"Please don't leave Mercy let me explain, it's not how it looks, I didn't play strawberry wine, it just came on when we were dancing and I definitely did not sing it to her, I would never, i-"
Next minute Mercedes had snatched the keys off him, and was in the car backing out of the drive, Sam stood holding onto the door trying to stop her.
"Sam you better dam well let go otherwise I am running your ass over!"
"Run me over then!" Sam screamed, "Cos I have nothing to live for now."
" Ok then, I will if you want me too!" and she backed out as Sam jumped on the bonnet and then she abruptly slammed on her breaks and jumped out of her car, "Samuel Evans get off my car!"
"NO!"
She tried to pull him off, but he wouldn't budge.
"Sam what the hell are you doing? Just let me go Sam!" she cried, tears falling profusely.
"Why so you can walk out of my life forever? No way, not again, not ever!" Sam wept reaching out to Mercedes.
Mandy watched on, eating and drinking away smiling at the interaction, this is better than a movie she giggled.
"Leave me alone Sam just leave me alone!" Mercedes pushed him away.
Sam sat on the bonnet of the car and rested his head on legs, "I can't Mercy I won't, never ever again, I won't let you leave again, never!"
They both heard a loud applause, "bravo!" Mandy stood clapping in the distance,
"What the hell are you clapping for," Sam screamed, "get the hell out of my life!"
Mandy walked toward the two of them, Sam still sitting on the car.
Mercedes sat despondently on a park bench.
"Finally Timtam finally y'all admitting it," Mandy chuffed.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sam eyeballed Mandy pure hate emanating from his green orbs.
Mandy turned to Mercedes.
"Tim tam here was always head over heels in love with you, but would never admit it to any of the girls he ended up with, I only knew about you because I would find drawings of you around his apartment. He always would say he loved me, but I knew he didn't, not truly. But you miss Jones?" She walked toward Mercedes, "Well you're a different kettle of fish. I hated you for the longest time but now I see. I see why he loves you. Most basic bitches would have punched me in the face, but you didn't you actually apologised to me for kissing my fiancé. Well…actually maybe that's kind of pathetic," she chuckled.
"Look Im glad you find this so hysterically funny but I'm out of here, get off my car Sam," Mercedes growled.
"I'm not getting off!"
"Please Sam!"
"No!"
"Well I'm gonna let you sort it out, I only came to find Sam to see how he felt and I can see clearly so adios Tim tam and Miss Mercedes Jones," she smiled and then exited the scene.
After a good twenty minutes of absolute silence Mercedes jumped up and sat on the hood of the car alongside Sam. She knew Sam wasn't going to budge and she was sick of trying to move him. Then there was silence again for a number of seconds then finally she grinned.
"Well that was really weird don't yah think?"
Sam lifted his head and grinned wiping his tears away then slowly but tentatively took Mercedes hand and kissed it, "It was really weird Mercy, I'm really sorry."
Mercedes gently kissed Sam's fingers.
"Sammy you know I would never have run you over!"
"Well I kind of hoped you wouldn't," he smiled
Mercedes turned toward him and climbed up onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I do love you Sammy and I always will."
Sam looked into her eyes and whispered, I have loved you for a thousand years and I will love you for a thousand more.
Then under the Cincinnati moon Sam and Mercedes kissed passionately until the dawning of a new day.
….
"Do I look alright Puck?"
"Should I wear this?"
"Do you think this colour goes with my hat?"
Why am I so nervous!
"I am so happy Puck, Mercy is my gal, oh hell Puck, Mercy is my gal," Sam jumped and danced around the hotel room, singing at the top of his lungs.
"So which shirt Puck?" he smiled like a school boy.
"Oh shut the hell up, your happiness is making me puke, I don't know what diva see's in you!" Puck waved him away.
"Well, I don't care because I am so happy, ain't nothing gonna rain on my parade. I can't wait for the concert tonight, I'm gonna get Mercy to sing our song with me!"
"No! Do you think she will, Sam? Puck grinned, "I hope so, it will sound great that's for sure!"
"Yeah it will sound fantastic; I always wanted to sing in concert with her. That was our dream, and now, it's gonna happen, well that's if she agrees to it…Ok Im goin with this shirt." Sam smiled looking at himself in the mirror. "See yah later brother, I'm pickin up my gal," Sam chortled as he ran out the door.
Puck laughed as he watched his friend exit. It was good to see his friend happy.
…..
Sam stood at Mercedes apartment door flowers in hand.
Suddenly the door flew open; Sam smiled as he appreciated the beauty of his girlfriend. The beautiful yellow sundress she wore accentuated her curves. Mercedes took the flowers as Sam took Mercedes in his arms.
"Hey you," he whispered seductively in her ear then kissed her neck.
"Hey Sammy," she smiled and kissed him deeply on the lips, "thanks for the flowers darling, come in I'll show you my humble abode."
Mercedes held his hand as she led him into her apartment. It was a small, quaint little thing but very Mercedes, he thought. Splashes of purple dotted the entire room but complimented nicely with the white and cream tones of the lounge and dining area.
"You have a lovely home here Mercy," Sam smiled kissing her on her forehead.
"Thanks Sammy, it's a little small but I like it!"
Sam wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled.
"I'll just put these in a vase darling" she smiled and turned toward the kitchen, "would you like something to eat or drink honey," Mercedes chortled.
"No thanks darling," Sam smiled taking position on the couch. "I like your place Mercy, it is very Mercedes Jones."
"Well what's that supposed to mean Sammy," she smiled as she returned with the vase of flowers and popped them on the dining table.
"I don't know…" Sam lay down on the couch, "just that… it's lovely like you!"
"Awww, you're so gorgeous Sammy," Mercedes smiled, and then lay gingerly upon him.
Sam grabbed her around her waist then strategically flipped her around so he was on top of her.
"Well aren't you tricky Sammy boy," Mercedes smiled as Sam began to kiss her neck and traced down to her collar bone.
"Sammy!" Mercedes voice hitched as Sam licked her collar bone, "You best stop that cos it's making me crazy."
Sam stopped and then looked deeply into Mercedes large brown doe like eyes.
"Baby, I want you to be crazy for me," he breathed them returned to kissing her neck.
"Ok Sammy!" Mercedes giggled, pushing him backward, "we better get out of here or I am seriously gonna show you my bedroom."
"Yes please Mercy," Sam whimpered
"Stop it!" Mercedes smiled and patted him on his taut chest. Mercedes so wanted to see what he looked like under his shirt because what she could tell since they reunited was that this guy before her was definitely all man and his muscles literally busted out of the smedium shirt he was sporting today. Get out of this apartment now Mercedes Jones because otherwise you are gonna tear that shirt off him, she giggled as she pulled Sam to the door.
Sam was no better, having her in his arms; his body against hers drove him crazy. He didn't know what to do, except that he would have to go and have a number of cold showers if he stayed one more minute in the apartment with Mercedes. He desperately wanted to see her bedroom, but knew they needed to take things slow for now. They had to get out of that apartment because just looking at her sent him in a love spin and the thought of her bedroom was too inviting.
Sam kissed Mercedes hand before they exited the apartment, ready to spend a day in each other's loving company.
….
"And then Grammy said, I ought to slap you outside your head Samuel Dwight Evans," Sam mimicked his grandmothers voice as he relayed Grammys attempts at getting the two of them together.
Mercedes laughed as she lay on Sam's chest and smiled, "I love Grammy Sam, she is so strong, I want to be like her, she is like my hero."
"She loves you too Mercy, but hell who doesn't love you baby?"
Mercedes wrapped an arm around Sam's waist as Sam kissed and caressed her tresses.
Mercedes then sat up and chortled, "would you like anything else darlin, there is so much food here baby you could feed an army."
"Well yah know… picnic in the park, beautiful day, beautiful woman beside me, I figured we'd get famished."
"Awww it was so sweet of you to do this darling, and to think in a few hours this place is gonna be teaming with people ready to see my main man sing."
"I like how you say my main man honey…" Sam smiled winking adorably at his girlfriend, "Speaking of singing…um," Sam sat and turned to Mercedes biting his bottom lip.
"What darling?" Mercedes looked at him inquisitively.
"Um im just wondering...um...will you please sing with me tonight at the concert?"
W-what Sam? Mercedes eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"Sing with me Mercy, you have the most beautiful voice in the world."
"Ah um, I don't know Sam, do you think I'd be good enough?"
"Hell baby you are like 100 times better than me, please sing with me, we'll sing our song!"
"Our song?" Mercedes asked inquisitively.
"Yeah, straw-"
"No!"
"But mercy that's our-"
"NO Sam, that is yours and what's its face song!"
"No it isn't!"
"SAM!"
"Ok ok," Sam backed off, knowing full well what an argument with his beloved could bring, but Sam made a mental note that he would get her to sing their song with him one day.
"What song do you wanna sing?" he smiled wrapping his arms around her, "You do know that I always wanted to sing with you on stage aye baby? So any song you choose." He smiled kissing her gently on her cheek.
"I haven't even said I would yet Sammy!"
Sam pouted, "Please Mercy for me, pwease," he begged.
"Um…i…um…ok…but I'm really afraid, what if I botch it up?"
"You won't darling, I'll be right beside you," Sam cheered kissing her on the lips," I love you, thank you Mercy, thank you, now what's the song?"
"Um, you know Sammy…" she smiled decidedly l placing a finger on her lips, "I really loved that song you sung to me by the river, a thousand years."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"Ok darlin, I'm glad you chose that song, next to our song…which we shall not name for now… that is my song for you, I so want to sing that song to you and tell all my fans that you are the love of my life," Sam grabbed Mercedes pulled her onto his knees and hugged and kissed her softly.
"Oh Sammy, please don't say who I am, I don't want people to hate me!"
"Baby they will love you; they already know who you are anyway,"
"What?"
"Yeah I kind of like told everyone in one of my concerts," Sam closed his eyes waiting for the hit then opened one apprehensively.
"Oh Sammy!" Mercedes rolled he eyes.
"I'm sorry but I love you Mercy!"
"I love you Sammy, but don't say who I am,"
"Well what am I supposed to say especially if I'm ogling you out of share love and desire?"
"Well then you have to un-ogle me."
"Well Mercy…" Sam rubbed the back of his neck, "I don't know if I can pull that off!"
Mercedes smiled, "I always wanted to sing with you on stage Sammy, and this is like a dream come true!"
"Yeah that was our plan aye baby," Sam laid his head on Mercedes shoulder
"Yeah honey," she sighed.
"Well it's coming true now!"
"Yeah," she smiled and then sighed
"You haven't spoken to your parents yet have you? You know they will be worried sick about you. You better call them." Sam frowned then smiled tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"No Sammy, no way!"
"Yes… please baby, or text the at least so they know you are ok!"
"I guess, but I am so angry at them, I wasted so much time when I could have been with you!"
"Sometimes some things happen for a reason honey," Sam whispered in her ear
"Look at me for instance, I got to do what I wanted but the downside was losing you, my personal choices and life was in shatters."
"Hmm...Maybe your right Sammy, I may have not got to do what I wanted but personally except not having you in my life I did ok. I have the best friends ever, and now I even have you," She smiled pecking him on his lips, "So…" she paused moving to collect Sam's guitar, "we better practise this song aye darling."
"Yeah," Sam smiled and took her in his arms once more.
…
"Hey Cincinnati, hope y'all enjoying the concert?"
The crowd roared their approval.
"We have risen over $1, 000000 dollars tonight that will go directly to the children's hospital here in Cincinnati so give yourselves a pat on the back, thanks y'all!"
The crowd roared with excitement.
"I have a song here that I hope you like it, it is a cover by Miss Christina Perri and I am going to ask someone to come and help me sing it. By the way she's doing me a big favour doing this, but She doesn't want me to say her name…so let's just call her Mercy," Suddenly there was a roar, as the diehard Sam Evans fans cheered knowing exactly who Mercy was, "Can you please say hi Mercy and maybe she will come out cos she is a little shy."
Sam stood and encouraged the crowd to chant, Mercy. Then they began to clap and chant MERCY! MERCY!
Sam ran to the edge of the stage and took Mercedes hand kissing her on her forehead, "Its ok baby, I'm here with you, just pretend we are by the river, l love you baby," he looked into her eyes.
"Ok Sammy, river," she breathed in, "Charlie, river, Sammy." she robotically chanted willing her nerves to settle.
As they walked out onto the stage the crowd went ballistic and chanted MERCY!
Mercedes held Sam's hand for dear life; she had sung in the bar every week but nothing like this, this was terrifying. Sam led Mercedes to the chairs and sat her on the stool next to his.
Mercedes smiled nervously at the crowd, then she looked at Sam and into his green eyes, as he mouthed, I love you, and then whispered in Mercedes ear, "This is our dream baby. We're at the river."
Then he smiled and started to pick the introduction as the string quartet played in the background.
Sam smiled as he began to sing, tears welling up in his eyes as he realised that this was truly one of their dreams coming true. He looked lovingly at Mercedes. Sam knew he should have tried not to but this was the moment he had longed for. A moment he thought would never be, but here it was and here they were.
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
Mercedes joined him in the chorus and the crowd erupted in applause and chants of Mercy
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
Mercedes apprehensively began, then looked at Sam, sing to sam Mercedes sing to sam, she looked at Sam and sang with all her heart.
Time stands still
Beauty in all he 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 as tears fell down his cheeks, I love you Mercy he whispered, Sam joined her in the chorus to a rapturous applause.
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
They both sang with all their hearts, their eyes not leaving each other's. The audience screamed with satisfaction at seeing how absolutely these two being before them loved each other.
One step closer
One step closers
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
At the end of the song Sam stood and applauded for his one true love, shedding tears he could not contain, he wanted to kiss her right there, dam it I am going to, and he did, he kissed her right on stage. At first Mercedes resisted but then melted into his kiss.
Maybe a number of hearts were broken in the audience at that point in time but Sam Evans didn't care, this was the moment he had wanted for so long. He took off his hat and bowed to the woman he loved and placed his hat upon her head as the crowd chanted Mercy, MERCY!
He swooped in for another hug. Mercedes hugged him back threw his hat back onto his head and turned to exit, Sam grabbed her hand and they both exited, Sam yelled to the crowd and winked, "one moment please!"
"You were fantastic Mercy," Sam breathed and gazed lovingly into Mercedes eyes. Mercedes and Sam kissed passionately of stage, then Mercedes pushed him, "Get back out there baby," Mercedes cried, tears of happiness in her eyes.
"Sammy, I love you!"
"I love you baby, See you soon darlin," he smiled and kissed her one more time.
As Sam walked back out onto the stage, he danced and jumped around the stage all the way back to his chair, thoroughly joy filled.
Then he sat back down on the stool, took his guitar and smiled the biggest smile he could muster, "If y'all didn't already know that was my Mercy!" he blushed.
The crowd cheered once more.
"So I wanna get back to her and I know y'all wanna get back home to the people y'all love so we will finish with my all-time favourite, what is it called?
"Strawberry wine!" everyone screamed,
"Yeah, and who is it for?"
"Mercy!" The crowd screamed and began chanting her name again.
"Well…" Sam began to whisper and the crowd hushed too, "between you and I, Mercy thinks this song ain't hers but one day when she realises it is then she is gonna sing it on stage with me." Sam turned to the side of the stage and chuckled as he watched Mercedes cross her arms and roll her eyes as the crowd roared their approval.
"So be careful going home and thank you Cincinnati and on behalf of Cincinnati children's hospital thanks to each and every one of you for making this mini concert such a success."
Then he began to play the introduction to strawberry wine, and smiled then winked, turning again to the audience he cheered, "this is for Mercy!"
After the concert, Sam did his usual acknowledgements to the crowd and to the band and then he walked off the stage waving to the crowd and swept Mercedes up into his arms and walked straight to the green room, kissing her all the way, the stage hands applauding as they made their way to their safe haven.
When they arrived Puck was there, he stood shook Sam's hand, as Sam let Mercedes down, and said, "Really great night Sam!" Then Puck turned to Mercedes and was about to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her when Sam stood in his way
"Um brother I think a firm hand shake and a pat on her back will suffice," Sam smirked.
Puck rolled his eyes and Mercedes giggled. Puck then turned as he walked toward the door, winked and smiled at Mercedes and said, "I'll congratulate you properly Diva when your body guard is out of the way!" Then he winked again and licked his lips, which resulted in a number of items being hurtled at him by an obviously angry Sam Evans.
Mercedes laughed at their antic, wrapped her arms around Sam and whispered, "Thanks you for making my dream come true Sammy!"
"Thank you for making all my dreams come true baby, you are the most amazing woman in the world, you were stunning, just amazing tonight," Sam swooned then took Mercedes in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"I love you Mercy."
"I love you Sammy."
Yes I thought I better get the two together...even though Sam needed more torturing. And do you think thats the end of the heffa perade? Nah its not! Will Mercedes ever sing Strawberry wine...hmmm?! Next time Mercedes will finally face her parents, and it might not be pretty. And Grammy returns to sort some crap out. Thanks again to our lovely reviewers. You are beautiful :) Blessings :)