I don't own anything.
Sorry for the long delay.
Chapter Fourteen
Mercedes and Casey Bennett stopped talking as Sam jumped up from the sofa and shook his head, he paused momentarily to look at his wife and sighed. "Baby I'm gonna go and check on Olivia." With that said, he marched the hallway leaving them both alone. Grimacing, Casey looked back at Mercedes who was slowly rubbing her hands up and down her thighs. Casey briefly wondered if it was a nervous habit but decided to remain quiet so that Mercedes could regain her composure. Finally after five more minutes of silence, Mercedes spoke up quietly.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised by his reaction. Micah splitting us up on our senior year is still a sore spot for him," Casey just nodded her head as Mercedes continued. "I'm surprised he didn't leave sooner than he did."
"Maybe we should take this time for a break." Casey replied softly as she looked at the older woman. "We can continue after lunch." she said as she stood up from her seat and began gathering her belongings. Mercedes stood up as well and walked over to the young lady and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to go for lunch you can stay here. I'm sure no one would mind." Mercedes said with a gentle smile. Casey gave her a smile back and nodded her head. "Come on let's go and check on everyone else to see what they want for lunch." With that said, Mercedes turned around fully expecting Casey to follow behind her. They quickly made their way through the large house and into the entertain room where they found Sam, his siblings, Olivia and Santana. Sam was the first to look up at them as they entered the room. He gave his wife a sheepish smile as turned to look at them both, his eyes shifted over to Casey.
"Sorry about that back there." Casey waved it off and gave him a reassuring smile. She wasn't heartless, she could understand why he had to get away from the story and take a break.
"No problem, in fact. . .Mrs. Evans was just telling me how we should take a break you know for lunch and and all."
"Well if Mercedes is cooking I'm game." Stevie said speaking up from his spot on the sofa beside his sister and Olivia who was currently sitting on his lap eyes glued to the television screen. Sam looked over at his brother and opened his mouth to reply but was beaten to the punch by his little sister.
"Nobody was asking you Stevie." Stacy stated with a shake of her head. Stevie just smiled and looked over at his sister.
"You're just mad my opinions matter, sis. Besides why do you care. We both know we want Mercedes to cook or else lunch will consist of cereal-."
"Excuse you," Sam replied with a small smile. "I'm pretty sure I can cook better than you, little brother." Mercedes just sighed good-naturally and shook her head as she stage whispered to Casey. "This happens all the time what both of them fail to realize is that they both can't cook." Sam and Stevie both looked back at her. Sam actually looked back at her and tried to pout while Stevie went for a more dramatic scene and clutched a hand over his heart.
"All you need is a spotlight." Stacy mumbled as she looked at her brother while shaking her head, while Santana just took her eyes off the screen and looked at the two Evans' men with a little bit of interest before returning her focus back to the screen.
"Stacy can't you tell that my heart is broken." Stevie replied as he laid his head back on the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. "There's no way my broken heart will be mended again." Mercedes just rolled her eyes playfully at his antics and then walked over to Sam who was still trying to pull off the perfect pout. Mercedes rubbed a hand lovely through his hair and sighed before bending down and pressing a quick kiss to his poked out lips. Sam immediately kissed her back and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down into his lap. Casey watched them from her position standing beside the sofa. Santana looked over at them and shook her head.
"Just go ahead and make the newbie feel even more awkward," she said as Sam just rolled his eyes and looked "Sorry about the lovebirds," Santana said as she waved Casey to come over to where she was currently sitting.
"Oh so no love for Stevie huh." Stevie said as he looked at his brother and Mercedes who were now reclining quietly on the sofa.
"I love you Unca Stevie." Olivia stated as she turned to look at her Uncle who just smiled down at her and gave her a quick hug.
"I know little Livia." he said with a smile. Stacy just watched them for a few moments before turning to look at her brother and Mercedes.
"Okay now that we've settled that, what are we having for lunch." Mercedes just smiled at that and shook her head.
"I don't know what do you want?" Mercedes asked. "I mean I could make a stuffed bell pepper casserole." As soon as the words left Mercedes' mouth she knew without a doubt that she would be making that for their lunch.
"Well, I think that's it." Sam said with a small smirk as he looked at his wife before placing a quick kiss to the side of her neck. "I'm pretty sure I heard Stevie and Stacy's stomach growling at the mention of that casserole."
"Okay then that's what we'll have for lunch then." Mercedes said as Stacy and Stevie both slapped each other high five. Olivia clapped and looked between her Aunt and Uncle not really sure what they had been celebrating. Pushing herself up from the sofa, Mercedes stretched briefly.
"I guess I better get started if we want to eat at decent hour." Sam pushed himself up from the sofa.
"I'll help out then." he replied softly as he looked at his wife. Santana you're in charge," he paused and looked at her and gave her a cheeky grin. "Even though I wouldn't have suggested that years ago but-." Sam said trailing off.
"Funny Sam real funny." Santana said with a roll of her eyes.
"Come on baby. . .and you know he's just playing." Mercedes said with a small smile as she looked at her friend.
"I know. . .don't worry I'll keep watch over the Wonder Twins, Lois Lane and little Olivia." As soon as the words left Santana's mouth she paled and looked over at Sam who was simply looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "Ugh I spend why to time in this house, Mercedes."
"Hey it was good references." Sam said with a shrug of his shoulders. Santana just quickly flipped him off while making sure that Olivia didn't see it. Sam and Mercedes just chuckled and headed out of the room. As they made their way down the hallway, Mercedes turned to Sam and sighed.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," Sam replied easily. "It's just well I get a little angry whenever I think about how Micah messed up our Senior year and tried to split us up." he admitted softly. "You know that's the first time you told me about that conversation."
"No it isn't."
"Yes it is, you told Casey that conversation word for word. You didn't do that with me, you just told me the gist of it. I think even you knew how I would handle it." he said calmly as he looked at her. "It's okay though." Mercedes just reached down and grabbed his hand and gave it a light squeeze.
"I guess I must have know then," she nibbled on her bottom lip for a brief moment before sighing. "You know it's only going to get worst from now on," When Sam gave her a confused look she sighed. "I mean the retelling of the story. You know it's going to rough from now on well at least we get to the part where we get back together."
"I told you I would support you in this interview. Besides I want a hand in exposing Micah for the type of hypocritical racist he is." Sam stated firmly as he looked at his wife. They both moved into the kitchen and Mercedes immediately went into the refrigerator and started taking out all the ingredients they would need to make the casserole. Sam went over the cutting board, he knew he would have to chop up the bell peppers that always seemed to be his job whenever he helped her with making this casserole. As they settled into fixing lunch both of their minds traveled back to the moment when Mercedes had to leave Lima, Ohio.
Several Years Ago. . .
"Mom. . .Dad you have to talk to him or the label," Mercedes began her voice rising and falling with tears as she thought about being forced to leave Ohio and most importantly Sam. Her parents looked at her sadly and then back at one another. They had already tried discussing this with Micah but he had plainly told them that his hands were tied. "You guys have to be able to do something." Mercedes cried as she looked at them both.
"Baby girl, we already talked to Micah and he told us that this was all out of his hands. His boss wants you to release your album soon and since you're unfortunately under contract there's nothing Micah can do."
"But what about McKinley." And Sam, she wanted to add but didn't. She knew her parents understood how she felt about her boyfriend. Right now, though she needed to focus on getting out of this trap her brother had effectively set and trapped her in.
"Micah said you would be able to finish high school," Mr. Jones replied calmly. "I know it's not the same as McKinley and I know the real reason you're really upset is because of Sam and your relationship with him. Believe me, I understand completely but Micah said that if you don't comply the label will consider it a breach of contract and take legal action." Mercedes pinched the bridge of her nose and resisted the urge to scream.
"I can finish the album here. Micah was okay with that until he found out how serious I was with my current boyfriend." she spat out angrily as she looked away from her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Jones looked at one another for a moment both feeling completely lost. They didn't know what to do about Micah or their current family situation.
"We'll talk to Micah again," Mercedes' father said softly as he looked at his daughter. "Maybe we can get everything changed up, you know I could probably ask to talk to the record label again. After all you are my child."
"There's a problem with that though," They all turned around then as Micah entered the room. He paused briefly and took in all their faces. "Oh so let me guess I'm the villain now." he muttered angrily as he looked at his parents while avoiding the glare that Mercedes was sending his way. He didn't need to look at his sister to know that she was pissed off with him so instead he focused on his parents. "Like I was saying before, the record label isn't gonna want to listen to you guys anymore. I stalled as much as I could."
"I just bet you did." Mercedes mumbled as she looked at her brother. "You just want me out of town so I can't be around Sam anymore." Mercedes declared angrily, her parents looked between her and her brother.
"You've been saying that a lot Mercedes." her mother said softly as she looked between her daughter and son. "Is she right about that, Micah? Are you doing this because you don't like Sam?" Micah crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Mercedes.
"That's not it at all. I just think he's holding her back. If she weren't dating him then this move wouldn't be a problem and we all know it." Mercedes took a step towards him and narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
"Sam isn't and will never hold me back. He wants me to achieve my dream."
"So he wants to hang onto your coattails as you make it big?" Micah questioned with a roll of his eyes. "How freakin' rich, what does he want to be your stay at home boyfriend. This family can't help the Evans family out for the rest of our lives." Mr. Jones head snapped towards his son as those words hit his ears.
"What in the hell is that suppose to mean?" Mr. Jones asked his voice booming loudly as he looked at his son. "If you have something to say about the Evans, a family that hasn't done anything to you or this family then please go ahead and say it loudly don't hint at it boy come right out and say it." Micah stepped back from his father and Mercedes could see fear in his face as he looked at their father. Clearing his throat, Micah chuckled and shook his head.
"Look, we already helped them out enough, I don't think Mercedes needs to be-."
"You act as if somethings wrong with helping them, Micah. I know I raised your behind in the church-."
"If that's so then you should know that a person shouldn't be unequally yoked with someone-." Mr. Jones' eye twitched at his son's words and he stepped even closer to his son.
"I know good and damn well you aren't about to try to twist the words found in the Bible. That verse is talking about those with faith marrying those without faith. . not interracial relationships. Last time I checked the Evans went to church just like us." Micah crossed his arms over his chest and glared up at his father.
"I wasn't talking about race. I'm talking about financial differences." Micah stated quickly as he looked at his mother and father. "I'm just worried that Sam is latching onto her and he doesn't have anything to provide my sister. The man is suppose to provide for his significant other and I just worry that with Sam and his family financial problems that it'll be Mercedes taking care of everything." He chanced a glance at Mercedes and shook her a quick patronizing smile. "That's all I'm concerned about Mercedes. I've seen how these relationships work. . .they don't last." Mr. Jones studied his son for a moment before visibly calming down.
"At least your not racist, cause I know I didn't raise you to be that way about any type of person." Mr. Jones replied coldly as he looked at his son. "However you need to let your sister have her relationship and besides the boy seems to have a very good head on his shoulders. He helped his parents when they were going through a very difficult time. If anyone is a provider that boy is one." Mr. Jones stated firmly. Mercedes couldn't help but feel her mouth drop down in surprise. How could her parents believe that joke of an explanation that Micah had just given them.
"Fine Dad," Micah said with a sigh. "Mercedes I'll leave you and Sam alone okay but I hope you remains your boyfriend even when you're halfway around the country." Mercedes bristled at the look in her brother's eyes.
"I'm not going."
"Mercedes come on," Micah said with a shake of his head. "The label wants you working on the album if you don't you and me will be in breach of contract. This deal is not just huge for me but for everyone we're working with right now. You don't want to let them down do you." Mercedes looked at her brother silently for a moment before shaking her head. Micah had certainly given a lot of his friends from college a foot in the door as her band, back-up singers and producers. She had become close to some of them and she certainly didn't want to let them down.
"Why can't we work on it here?"
"The execs at the studio want to work with you on some songs," Micah said calmly. "And since they are the big dogs at the studio they don't want to come out here to Lima, Ohio. It's not exactly a place big city people want to stop in." Mercedes looked at him for a moment before shaking her head, and turning to walk away. Micah watched her for a moment as she headed towards the front door with her keys in her hand. "Where are you going, sis?"
"If I have to go. . .if there's no way for me to work on my album here in Lima while still going to school then I'm going to tell Sam about it now." Micah quickly followed behind her as she made her way outside.
"I'm glad you're doing this," Micah said as soon as they were outside. "I'm glad you're finally seeing things my way."
"You know I'm thinking once I'm out there that maybe I can talk them into allowing me back here. You may have won this round but you won't break me and Sam up that's a fact." Micah just nodded his head.
"Weren't you listening it's not racially like you and Sam seem to think," he said with a chuckle. "Besides our father certainly didn't raise a racist son." Mercedes cut her eyes at him and slowly shook her head.
"I don't know how they fell for that."
"It's cause I know how to sell an idea," Micah replied calmly. "How do you think I got a label or got you to sign on with me." He said with a smirk as he watched her climb into her car. "Have fun talking to your Ken doll."