Author's notes: Hey everybody! I love the fact that most readers feel like I do: RIB sucks, but their characters are amazing. Long live samcedes in fanfic, even if the show wants to pretend it never even happened! Anyway, I got great feedback on the story, so thank you so much everyone! You have no idea how awesome it feels to see "new review" in your inbox. Love you all (reviewers, favoriters, and followers) and hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I definitely don't own Glee because this season would have been gone way different, especially in regards to Samcedes. I am a glutton for reviews so please gimme, gimme!
Chapter 3
Mercedes slowly climbed the stairs up to Santa's throne. Why am I so nervous? Heck, what am I even doing? She thought. I have let this little girl convince me to look like a freaking idiot. Mercedes thought maybe this was her chance to run off the stage and bolt, but then turned her head and saw her little niece watching her intently. It was as if Carly knew Mercedes would hightail it if she didn't watch her every movement. Mercedes knew she was stuck, so she might as well get it over with.
She climbed up the stairs and sat on Santa's lap. His outfit was definitely misleading. Santa's outfit made him appear to heavy and stocky, but in actuality this Santa was more muscular than fat. Santa feels like he works out, Mercedes thought to herself. Santa's beard and moustache were thick and curly. His black rimmed sunglasses covered the majority of face. Mercedes could barely tell if Santa was even awake, because he didn't say a word since she sat on his lap.
After an awkward silence, Mercedes cleared her throat.
"Uh, Santa? Are we going to get the show on the road, or what?"
"Oh, sorry. Ho, ho, ho! What is your name, little girl?" Santa asked in an overly gravelly and low voice. Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"Little girl? Ok, Santa, I'll guess I'll play along. My name is Mercedes."
"And Mercedes have you been naughty or nice this year?" Mercedes gave Santa a side eye look and giggled.
"Well, I guess it all depends on who you talk to, Santa?"
"Hmmm," Santa hummed and laughed.
"But seriously Santa, I have been a very good girl. Good grades, working hard, no grief for my folks."
"Breaking hearts?" Santa asked in a overly hoarse voice. Mercedes batted her eyelashes at Santa.
"Who me, Santa?" Mercedes asked with a twinge of wickness.
"Mmm, hmm."
"No, you have me all wrong Santa. I'm a good girl." Mercedes' expression became more serious. "In fact, I've been so good that I kind of driven myself to a very lonely spot. You know what they say, be careful what you wish for because it might end up being a lonely, roaring bitch. Oh, sorry Santa for the cursing."
"Eh, it was a slip." Santa responded, raising his shoulders.
"Thanks, Santa. Please don't put it on my naughty list. And don't get me wrong, life is good. Really good. I just miss my old life sometimes." Mercedes' eyes started tearing as memories began to push their way into her consciousness. "My old life with special friends and memories. Especially…" Santa leaned closer into Mercedes.
"Especially what?" He asked, his voice a little less hoarse than before.
"Well, especially.."
"Hey you!" Screamed the little curly haired brunette boy in the line waiting to meet Santa. "Will you stop hogging Santa? We got a line going you know?!" At that moment, Mercedes realized that the line had grown since she first came to the stage atleast 50 kids were standing in the line waiting to see Santa, giving Mercedes dirty looks. Mercedes even thought she heard a child hissing at her.
"Oh, I think I better go Santa. You have quite a line out here." Mercedes hopped off Santa's knee and started to leave. But Santa grabbed her wrist suddenly.
"Wait", he asked in a voice much less hoarser than before. Realizing this, he cleared his throat and called "Wait" again, but in a deeper voice.
"You didn't tell me your Christmas wish?" He asked quickly. Mercedes signed deeply.
"You know Santa, I think it's too late for the wish I want. Let's just say peace on earth, ok? Merry Christmas anyway." Mercedes walked down the stairs and met her family waiting for her.
"It's never too late." Santa whispered under his breath, as he watched Mercedes hold Carly's hand and walked away from the stage area.
Sam's Point of View (**Sam's thoughts are in italics**)
Damn, I am going to be late, Sam thought as he raced to the mall in his car. He never intended to be so long helping his brother and sister with their homework. But he got so caught up, he forgot to watch the time. He just got this part-time gig as Santa last week and didn't want to lose it before Christmas even arrived. He hoped that the job would allow him to make some extra money for Christmas gifts for the family and save for a new car. Plus, he liked being able to stay busy during the holiday breaks. It kept him from thinking too much about who might be here for the holidays on Christmas break. Actually he only thought about one person who might be back for the holidays. Sam was having a hard time not thinking about Mercedes since she came back to help the Glee Club for the school play and Sectionals. Lately he found himself reverting back to the person people wanted him to be. The good looking, stupid jock who told jokes and made impressions. Mercedes always made Sam feel like he was more than that. He was more than his looks or even his impressions. She made him feel like he was smart, talented and special. Seeing her recently made him remember that, and those memories were killing him. He missed spending time with her and being close to her. He knew that their breakup would be difficult but not even acknowledging their breakup was even harder. He made sure to keep a smile on his face every time he saw her in school, but it was always followed by hours of tears and heartbreak for him later. Sam felt that the most during the production of the school play. Every time the production played "Summer Nights", Sam's mind always traveled to the summer nights he and Mercedes shared when they were first together. He remembered their nights of tenderness and romance, when he first fell in love with her. He always related that song to her.
Dude, this is not the time for that. It's show time. Sam ran to the employee entrance of the mall and sprinted toward his locker. His co-worker Ryder was already there, putting on his elf costume.
"Damn, man. I thought you weren't going to make it. I was dreading putting that freaking Santa suit on, in case you didn't show. It is hot as hell in that thing." Ryder laughed as he put on the green tights for his elf costume.
"Sorry, man. My brother and sister had me wrapped up. And don't hate. This outfit gets all the honeys. I'm Claus, Santa Claus". Sam answered in his best James Bond impersonation. Ryder laughed and shoved Sam lightly.
"Yeah, right Claus. The only play you get are little girls, who only want you for your bag of toys, buddy." After getting dressed, Ryder got up and looked out the door leading to the Santa stage.
"Oh, now wait a minute. You might actually get some play today. There is a cute lady out here waiting for Santa already. She looks familiar too."
"Oh Yeah," Sam asked, while putting on his belly stuffing for his suit. "What does she look like?"
"Oh real cute," Ryder sing songed. "Brown skin, long black hair, pretty smile. Wait, is that the girl who helped with the play…Mercedes?"
"What!" Sam shouted. He ran to the door and saw Mercedes singing with a pretty little girl and an older guy. Sam could feel his heart beating a mile a minute. What was she doing here? Why is she here today? what the hell! Sam could hear Mercedes singing and smiled as he watched her. She seemed so comfortable in her own skin now. Happy and confident. He suddenly felt a pain in his chest. God, he missed her more than he ever realized. Sam was so caught up watching Mercedes, he leaned on the switch turning the lights and music for the Santa stage on.
"What are you doing, man? We got another 5 minutes before we have to come out. You know the manager watches us like a hawk. Now we have to go out early." Ryder looked doubtfully at Sam. "Are you okay?"
"Man, I don't think I can do this. I need you to go out there and stall for me."
"What! Dude, Naw! We are supposed to go out there together." Sam grabbed Ryder and dragged him in front of the door. Then he opened the door and hid behind the door.
"Please Ryder, just stall for a couple of minutes so I can get myself together."
"What! No way, man! You know that I am self conscious enough in these tights. Come out here!
"Ryder, please!" Then Sam shoved Ryder out the door and slammed the door behind him. I need a better disguise. She is going to recognize me in a minute! Sam looked frantically around the locker and grabbed two of the Santa beards, putting both on him. Then he grabbed the fluffiest moustache he could find and glued it on his face. Lastly Sam grabbed his dark sunglasses from his backpack. He looked in the mirror. Yeah, my own mom wouldn't recognize me. I just got to remember to channel the voice of Dark Vader. Think Dark Vader, man! Think Vader! Sam then strolled out onto the stage.
"Ho, ho, ho!" He cried loudly as he walked toward the throne and sat down. Okay, man. You made it without throwing up. Just keep it together now. You can do it.
Before Sam knew it, a beautiful little girl hopped on his lap. He was blown away how much the little girl looked like a younger version of Mercedes. He never admitted to anyone that he often wondered what their kids would look like if they ever got married and had kids. She was the exact image he always had in his head.
"Hello little princess. Aren't you beautiful?" he asked. She even smiles and laughs like Mercedes.
"Hi Santa. It's me Carly. I know I look different from last year. I grew like two inches."
Oh, she is adorable.
"Oh, I'm glad you told me. I almost didn't recognize you. So what would you like for Christmas?"
Is she really giving me a list? Man, this little girl is prepared!
"Santa," she whispered, "Here's my list. You can take a look at that later at home, but what I want to talk to you about right now is my Auntie Merce."
Her Aunt Merce?! This is Mercedes' niece?. Sam remembered seeing pictures of the little girl in Mercedes' room. And that's her brother! Suddenly Sam felt very relieved with knowledge of who the guy was standing next to Mercedes. Sam winked at Carly, took the list and tucked it into his inside pocket of his suit.
"Carly, this is awfully nice of you to do for your Auntie. She must be pretty special…um...to you." Keep it together, Sammy. You're slipping.
"Oh yes, Santa. She's the best. But she is lonely. She looks so sad but only when she thinks no one is around." Sam's heart dropped when he heard Carly's confession. Lonely? But Mercedes always seemed so put together when he saw her at McKinley. Could she be missing him and much as he was missing her? Sam didn't want to his get his hopes up to soon. She could be heart by some guy in California.
"Maybe you should talk to her boyfriend." Sam knew he was fishing, but he had to know whether someone else was in the picture.
"Oh, she doesn't have one of those anymore. Not for a long time." Yes! Sam thought.
"Interesting, Carly. Well, I will keep all of this in my mind and I will do my best to give your Auntie a very special Christmas gift." Sam was touched by pure joy and selflessness of the little girl.
"Oh, Thank you Santa!" Wow! I did not expect that. What do I do now? Should I go see Mercedes later. Before Sam could finish his train of thought, he saw Mercedes headed toward him. He was mesmerized by seeing her nervously approach him. He felt like the moment was going in slow motion. He took in her full cheeks, and soft eyes. He loved the small dimple on her left cheek that only came out when she laughed. Her hair was in full barrel curls that sat perfectly on her shoulder. She was a beautiful grown up version of Carly. Sam didn't realized how much he had been staring until he heard Mercedes' clear her throat.
After an awkward silence, Mercedes cleared her throat.
"Uh, Santa? Are we going to get the show on the road, or what?" Oh damn, I didn't realize I was staring. Okay, think Dark Vader, or maybe more Gandalf of Lord of the Rings? No, definitely Dark Vader.
"Oh, sorry. Ho, ho, ho! What is your name, little girl?" Sam watched Mercedes roll her eyes, and bithis lip to keep from laughing.
"Little girl? Ok, Santa, I'll guess I'll play along. My name is Mercedes." It worked, she really doesn't know it's me..
"And Mercedes have you been naughty or nice this year?"
"Well, I guess it all depends on who you talk to, Santa?"
Is this girl flirting with me in a Santa suit? Wait a minute, this could be fun.
"Hmmm," Sam replied.
"But seriously Santa, I have been a very good girl. Good grades, working hard, no grief for my folks."
"Breaking hearts?" I wonder how many guys' hearts you broke in California, Miss Mercy?
"Who me, Santa?" Oh, yeah. You broke some hearts, Beautiful.
"Mmm, hmm." Sam answered.
"No, you have me all wrong Santa. I'm a good girl." Sam noticed Mercedes' face became sullen. "In fact, I've been so good that I kind of driven myself to a very lonely spot. What! You lonely! You know what they say, be careful what you wish for because it might end up being a lonely, roaring bitch. Oh, sorry Santa for the cursing."
"Eh, it was a slip." Sam couldn't believe what he just heard. She always seemed so happy whenever anyone asked her about California..
"Thanks, Santa. Please don't put it on my naughty list. And don't get me wrong, life is good. Really good. I just miss my old life sometimes. My old life with special friends and memories. Especially…" Special friends? Special memories? Is she talking about me? Does she miss me?
"Especially what?" Sam found himself feeling hopefully and anxious about her answer. Say Sam, Mercedes. Say Sam!
"Well, especially.."
"Hey you!" Sam saw a screeching curly haired boy waving his fist at Mercedes. Damn it!
I should knock your ass out, right now. You rotten brat! Before Sam knew it, Mercedes had gotten off his lap.
"Oh, I think I better go Santa. You have quite a line out here." Sam suddenly grabbed Mercedes' wrist. He couldn't let her leave like this. There was still so much he needed to ask her. Tell her.
"Wait", Sam asked, in his regular voice and then realizing his error, began channeling Gandalf. "Wait, You didn't tell me your Christmas wish?" He asked quickly. He saw Mercedes' face drop again. And then it dawned on him where he saw that face before. Their last conversation. She had the same facial expression when they were saying goodbye to each other. She did me him. She misses me, he thought.
"You know Santa, I think it's too late for the wish I want. Let's just say peace on earth, ok? Merry Christmas anyway." Sam watched Mercedes walk away to her family.
"It's never too late." Sam whispered determinedly. He made up his mind that he was going to give Mercedes a very special Christmas gift this year. A Christmas gift that was a long time coming.