Author's Note: Here is another chapter it was long too but I hope you still enjoy. Please forgive any mistakes and please review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of its characters-but I made up the other ones myself.

I Knew You Were Waiting for Me - Part II

Chapter 5

Sam's eyebrows rose considerably, as he nearly burst at the seams, when he heard Mercedes answer to his question. He started screaming, which came across as a muffled groans, into the palm of her hand-which had still been placed over his mouth; so he began kissing the palm of her hand instead. "Aaah Sam!" She pulled her hand away quickly and his shouting became more apparent. Sam leapt forward knocking her backwards onto the sofa and landing on top of her "You have made me the happiest man in the universe." He screamed at the top of his lungs as he threw his head back and closed his eyes in the wonder of this moment. Sam then repeatedly began kissing her lips, her cheeks, her neck, her forehead, he just didn't stop. Mercedes cringed and giggled hysterically at the onslaught and barrage of kisses until she almost couldn't breathe (the lump in her throat seemed to double in size) until she finally got out the words "I love you so much Sam" and she hugged him tightly.

Sam then broke from the hug and used his long legs and stepped over Mercedes head over the arm of the sofa and headed to grab a pad and pen from off of the table. Mercedes scrunched and made herself small as he did so. "What happened-is the honeymoon over already?" Mercedes questioned. "Oh don't you worry I intend for us to remember every moment of that honeymoon; and as long as I have had to wait-I know, I WILL!" "SAM!" Mercedes took a pillow off of the couch and threw it at him but he ducked getting hit by it. Sam laughed. "I want us to start making plans for our wedding and our life together before you get a chance to change your mind." Sam said he came back and sat on the floor under her next to the sofa. "Where do you want to live?" Sam questioned as he began scribbling on the pad. "Sam you work here in Georgia." "Yes, but this is an apartment; you have a home in South Carolina." "I could sell my home in South Carolina." "I could give up my job in Georgia... (Sam paused and pondered for a few minutes) we will come back to that." "Do you want a big wedding?" He asked. "Do you?" She countered. "I want whatever you want... a big wedding is nice but as long as you are the bride who comes walking towards me while I am waiting at the altar-we could get married tonight in Vegas in front of two drunken witnesses for all I care." Sam said. "It doesn't have to be big but...nice. I want our families to be there." She said. "Hey, we have to call them!" Sam started to get up but Mercedes put her hand on his shoulder and stopped him. "Tomorrow...today is mine, remember?" She looked at him with endearing eyes as she climbed down from the sofa and pinning him down on the floor where she began kissing him again. "You're right...how could I have forgotten." Sam tossed the pad and pen over his head onto the floor and embraced the kissing that had begun.

XXXXX

Crystal was finishing up in her office after the game, her television was on in her office and the news station was on when a news reporter spoke of "Mercedes world wind romance, Trey, had- had a drug conviction a few years back" and they showed his mug shot on the screen Crystal turned off her television set just as Rick walked into the room along with his agent Chris. "Hey, Baby; where you proud of your man and his victory today?" Rick asked as he entered her office and moved in for a kiss. She started to reciprocate until she saw Chris walk in behind him. Crystal's pause made Rick cut his eye toward Chris and he began to forge ahead anyway. "There is something else that you need to know about me Crystal; I am never ashamed of public displays of affection." Rick pulled Crystal into his arms and gave her a big but noisy, moan filled kiss to which Chris simply diverted his eyes. "I am not one to interfere with PDA's or anything but Rick can't it be a little quieter." Chris spoke up. Rick pulled away from the kiss and spoke "Don't hate because I am enjoying my affection-if you don't sound like I do while kissing; you need to get a better tastin' woman...but you can't have mine." Rick looked seductively back at Crystal. "Rick you are embarrassing me." Crystal lowered her head slightly to conceal her blush and walked back to her desk.

It was then that Mr. Pettway walked into her office, reading messages from his cell phone but, speaking as he entered "Crystal, I need you to send out a disciplinary letter informing the staff member that they are being fined $ 3,000; a hundred dollars for each of the 30 years. Oh, hello..." Mr. Pettway then noticed Rick and Chris standing in Crystal's office "Rick and Chris... great game you played there Rick, great game." Mr. Pettway spoke lightheartedly. "I certainly, thought that it was an excellent game!" Chris responded enthusiastically and patted Rick on his shoulder. "Although, the final score did seem to purport itself as an homage, in respect to the 30th anniversary, with a win of 30-27...I feel that it was a bit too close of a call." Mr. Pettway spoke with a considerably different tone. "If our defense had been stronger your opposing team should not have ever come so close." "I believed that we just played against a strong team; but we beat them regardless because we are a better team." Rick spoke with a sense of pride and his eyes darted toward Crystal and back to Mr. Pettway. "I believe that it was the absence of Coach Evans, for the game, that was the cause of that. I heard that he could not be found during the actual game. To think after, high jacking the photo op portion of the program with his personal ...shall we say...affections, he then disappears during a very important game; that type of behavior we cannot tolerate, and especially not in the NFL." Mr. Pettway then turned his attention back to Crystal. "Make sure Mr. Evans gets that disciplinary letter in with his paycheck this week-until the next game Mr. Raven, good evening all." Mr. Pettway said to pay his respects and then walked out of the room.

Chris couldn't help but snicker at the thought "A three thousand dollar fine! I would hate to be Evans right now." Rick looked at Chris sternly and then turned to Crystal. "Crystal, write the letter and give it to me instead of Esse. I'll take care of the fine for him." Rick said. "You'll what?" Chris spoke up. "Why would you do that? You were doing your job-it's Evans who bailed! Without any type of explanation whatsoever mind you!" Rick was swift with his rebuttal "He doesn't need an explanation I trust him!" "I don't know why you keep carrying Evans; he's dead weight and he is going to pull you right down." Chris challenged. "Quit it Chris, I said that I've got it, leave it alone...and you lay off of Esse...I owe him." Rick's speech pattern lowered. "What could you possibly owe a high school coach?! Not to mention if he is tryin' to cash in on some old debt from an old student that really makes him a jerk! This is why I have no respect for the guy! This is ridiculous, (Chris shook his head in frustration) in case you missed it Rick, it was me who negotiated these deals for you with Ohio State and with the NFL and the Falcons-and it was not an easy thing for me to do either; especially with your refusal to come to either of those teams without bringing him along with you!" Chris's frustration soared and his shouting escalated. "HE IS USING YOU! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT! WHY DO YOU INSIST ON CONTINUING TO GIVE HIM A FREE RIDE?"

Chris shouted as he moved in closer to Rick. Rick's whole body tensed and his stance changed to that of a fighting one; as he threw up his open hands and his palms were facing Chris bidding him to stay back, and his voice became cold and bitter.

"I told you to stay out of it Chris, you are treading on some sacred ground here and you better BACK THE HELL OFF-BEFORE YOU FIND YOURSELF LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MEALTICKET... THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER AGENTS WHO WOULD KILL TO HAVE ME AS THEIR CLIENT! SO BACK THE HELL UP!" Rick's voice became deeper and stronger as he made his point extremely clear. Crystal could not believe how quickly this had escalated and she would have never believed that Sam would somehow be the cause of this dissention.

"Are you kidding me?! You're threatening me? Even though I am not the one whose debts you're paying off?" Chris questioned. "Let's not play games Chris-I am paying all of your bills, and I would get rid of you way before I would get rid of him, so like I said before LEAVE IT ALONE!" Chris was furious and so he stormed out of the office. Crystal stood in awe at what had just transpired; the room was quiet but she wasn't sure what to think of everything and also didn't want to say anything that may have escalated things further; she had to admit it to herself Rick's anger frightened her and excited her; and she didn't know what to make out of that.

Rick took a few deep breaths and took the small leather football out of his pocket and started gripping it in his hand. "I'm sorry you had to see that baby." Rick spoke in a calmer tone. "I just... (He sighed) nobody can go after Esse, not in front of me, and get away with it...but I am sorry if that bothered you." Rick bit his lower lip slightly angry at himself for losing his temper in front of Crystal and he hoped that this wouldn't damage their extremely new relationship. "Can we just go back to your place for a little while, maybe have dinner together?" Rick asked.

Crystal could tell that Rick was still upset and that maybe he could use a night like this to take his mind off of everything. "Alright, what can I get you that will help to make you feel better?" She asked. Rick smiled and put the ball back into his pocket "You're a southern girl right? You got some soul food under your belt somewhere?" He said as he reached for the belt that was on her pantsuit and tugged at it a little bit.

"With all that is under this belt do you have to ask?" She said turning away from him and placing some other items from her desk into her drawer. "Now, now...have I told you that I have a fondness for what's under that belt?" He tugged on the belt again bringing her closer to him in the hopes of getting a hug. "Hugging you is quickly becoming my favorite pastime? It is even starting to overtake football. He squeezed her in his arms "It's like having my own little Teddy bear." He said as he continued the hug and started to gently rock her from side to side. "I think that's what I am going to start calling you...'My Teddy.'" "If you're lucky- I may even answer." She smiled as she stepped out of his arms and went back to her desk and turned off her computer. "Okay, let's see if I can feed... (She turned around and looked at him but paused instead of continuing to speak) your guy?" Rick said raising his eyebrows; he had realized that she needed some help in completing her sentence. "My guy" She said.

"Oh, really...whose guy?" An-jella questioned as stood in Crystal's office doorway and stared at Rick. Rick chuckled to himself "It is just one of those days isn't it?" he thought to himself and he prepared himself for this challenge as well. "An-jella, if you have noticed-you haven't heard from me since the party; well, there is a reason for that. I realized, that night, that you have a horrible personality and I just didn't want to be bothered with you anymore-I thought you got that message when I left you to find your own way home..." Rick started but he was interrupted by An-jella. "I guess that I didn't notice, because I never went to my own home-I went home with another player instead." She scoffed at him. "Then there should be no more discussions; (Rick shook his head up and down as he spoke) you go do you, and I am with Crystal now." Rick continued. Crystal wasn't positive that Rick handled this properly but she was impressed with his bluntness about it now (she desperately hoped that she could trust in it).

An-jella directed her stare at Crystal. "So you think you up and comin' now, huh- with my leftovers?" An-jella's snide remark hit Crystal right in the gut. "If you mean that I left you over her...that would be correct. If you meant it in any other way that would be your delusional way of thinking again and I have already warned Crystal to not allow your type of crazy to dictate her reality." Rick answered for Crystal as he moved to stand between An-jella and Crystal. "You have nothing to say to Crystal because I am the one who pursued this relationship with her, so if you have something to say-speak to me-only." Crystal reached out and held onto Rick's arm. "An-jella, I used to think that you were a friend of mine and I would never do this to a friend; but you have shown me, over and over again, that we never really were friends, so I have no allegiance to you that I should worry about. I don't know really what Rick and I have but... what I do know is that-it is none of your concern." Crystal spoke up. Rick looked back over his shoulder at Crystal "Now that's my girl!" he said beaming with pride that she was beginning to stand up for herself then he looked back at An-jella. "You need to leave now and handle yours because I am sure nuff going to be handling mine." Rick spoke again as he pulled Crystal up and to his side placing his arm around her shoulder.

"If you think that I am just going to go away quietly you are crazy." An-jella proclaimed. "It doesn't have to be quietly; just as long as you go away." was Rick's rebuttal. Crystal didn't want Rick to have to go through any hard time on her account so she tried reasoning with An-jella one more time. "An-jella I wouldn't be rash if I were you Rick is just starting his career and I have a lot more dirt on you than you could possibly have on him; so I suggest you stop this right now." Crystal stated. "Bitch, don't play yourself... nice girl my ass! (An-jella approached Crystal throwing her hand up in the air and pointing at her while yelling) I knew that you were full of it; all those years of acting like miss goody two shoes and now all of a sudden you grow a pair. If you think you're going to step up and take what's mine you are sadly mistaken."An-jella only stopped advancing because Rick purposefully held is arms out and held her by the shoulders then he looked back over his own shoulder to Crystal. "See Crystal there is the delusion that I spoke of before; it's crazy isn't? (He then turned back to An-jella) -I AM NOT YOURS-that is what this con...ver...sa...tion was EX...PLAI...NING to you." Rick spoke slowly and deliberately as if her were speaking to a toddler. "Do...you... not... under...stand?" Rick questioned An-jella again. "Crystal, how did you not notice her crazy before? You took her word as gospel? C'mon it's a good thing I showed up to show you the truth about her issues-you might have kept listening to her?" An-jella became angrier she could feel her control over Crystal slipping away. "I am not crazy, I am not delusional, I know what I am saying is true!" Rick looked at Crystal again and tipped his head to the side. "I have never seen it as clearly, thank you for pointing it out to me." Crystal said as she began to laugh and so did Rick. "GET OFF OF ME, YOU'LL BE SORRY, YOU WILL SEE, JUST WAIT!" An-jella yelled as she stepped back away from Rick and Crystal and walked out of the door but she heard as Rick said. "Crystal I hope you are taking note because I must be a real catch if she is trying so hard to hold on to me...does this up my property value in your eyes?" An-jella then walked further down the hall and out of earshot. "I don't know... (Crystal responded) you said it yourself she is delusional." "Oh yeah, good point." Rick said slightly dejected. "I suppose I will just have to find out for myself." Crystal reached out and took ahold of Rick's hand. "Now, how would you like some BBQ pork chops, mashed potatoes and some cabbage for dinner?" "Yeah girl, that's the kind of stuff I am talking about. You gonna make some sweet lemonade too, right?" "Are we stopping at the supermarket for some lemons?" "Teddy we are stopping anywhere we need to..." Rick said as he walked with Crystal out of the door.

XXXXX

Sam and Mercedes woke up fully clothed lying on top of Sam's bed wrapped in each other's arms. "Now, I can definitely see what I have been missing all these years." Sam mumbled and he cuddled up closer to her. "I am really going to enjoy this; I am going to just love being married to you; especially if I get to wake up like this every morning."

The television was on from the night before and a reporter was speaking about Mercedes 'lover' Trey who apparently had a drug conviction only a couple of years ago and his mug shot had been prominently displayed. Mercedes slowly opened her eyes and then she recognized what was just said. "Trey had been a drug user or seller or something? Sam did you hear that!" Mercedes sat up in bed. Sam stared at the television screen but he did not speak or move. "He sold drugs? That loser! I can't believe that jerk was anywhere near me! You know how I feel about drug dealers Sam; one of my backup singers died from an overdose, it was heartbreaking. I watched her go from a beautiful vibrant young lady with an extreme amount of talent to a mere shell of who she once was...how could anybody do that to someone else? A drug dealer is the lowest form of a human being."

Sam kissed her cheek and meekly used the remote to turn the television off but he never spoke of her rage or of Trey; then he looked over to his nightstand and saw that it was 4:45am. "I'm sorry babe but I have to be at work in an hour; but I will be back. Get some rest, and don't disappear on me. I will be back before you know it and know that I will be thinking about you all day." Sam let go of Mercedes and climbed out of bed. He then covered her with the excess covers that now he was no longer lying on. Once he covered her he rubbed the tip of his nose delicately along the side of her cheek and she closed her eyes again. He whispered in her ear "Your just being on this planet is the reason that I thank God every day. I'll love you always." Then he kissed her cheek and went into the bathroom to get ready for work.

Sam brought down their phones from on top of the shelf and placed the sim cards back inside and sat hers on the table along with a spare key to his place in case she wanted to go out for anything. Mercedes watched this action groggily as she had begun again dozing in and out of sleep. She saw Sam grab a small stamped envelope and take it with him as he left out of the apartment, closed the door, and locked it behind him. Mercedes drifted back off to sleep.

When Mercedes woke up again several hours later she couldn't help but revel in the joy that she felt. Sam and her where finally going to be together for good. She prayed and got up to take her shower and get dressed but when she attempted to warm up her voice, a practice that she does every day, nothing came out; no sound at all. Mercedes attempted to speak and still there was no sound at all to escape her lips. Mercedes felt herself begin to panic and start to hyperventilate she took some deep breaths and attempted to speak again, and yet again-nothing, nothing at all. Mercedes exited the bathroom and began looking around the apartment. She first went to the fridge and poured herself some water to drink "Just a sip or two" she thought; but after swallowing her throat simply burned and still there was no sound.

Mercedes searched Sam's apartment again and she saw his laptop. She prayed that he did not have password on it as she took it out of its case and opened it up on the table. She smiled in spite of herself when she saw her picture as his wallpaper and a song of hers begin to play in the background. Mercedes knew that she would never love another human being as much as she was in love with Sam Evans. She attempted to open the computer and it began to boot up. Mercedes breathed a sigh of relief as she got on the internet and try to find an ear, nose, and throat specialist in the city. When she found the addresses for a couple of them and printing out the directions for each she continued to get dressed so that she could leave and go to the doctor... but she realized that her car was still at the stadium and "How was she going to call for a cab without her voice?" Mercedes thought. Mercedes didn't and couldn't disturb Sam not after his not being at the game on Sunday. "No, she was going to figure this out on her own." She thought.

She walked out of his building complex and started walking down the road until she could hail a taxi from the street corner somewhere. Once one actually stopped for her she gave them the written directions of the doctor that she wanted to see and then she was on her way. She was lucky that the doctor she chose had same day walk-in appointments. He spoke to her about "the nodules that she had on her vocal chords from overuse." He spoke of "her having surgery to remove them but the also, very real, possibility that she may damage her vocal chords and never sing properly again." He explained that "this mass appears on the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the vocal fold, where the contact had been the most forceful." He spoke of "how these nodules had been associated with chronic allergies even to some pool chemicals." He spoke of "how these nodules can and will affect how she, as a professional singer, would sustain notes and how although surgery could be a good option it was still not without risk." He spoke of "how she would still need to see a speech pathologist afterward to help rehabilitate her sound and that they were an essential part of her recovery." The room seemed to get smaller and smaller as the doctor began "explaining her options and that she should not speak at all for the next few days to give her throat a rest. She had to decide if removing the nodules would be worth the risk."

XXXXX

Sam had more energy on the field today than he had in a long time. Everything seemed more vibrant, the AstroTurf, the blueness of the sky, the white clouds seemed to be in 3-D and technicolor as they hung in the air, the air seemed clearer, and the day just brighter. When he was asked by the other coaches "What happened to him on Sunday? How did it feel to kiss an international superstar?" He was grinning too much to barely answer them. "He wanted to tell everyone that they were engaged; that they were getting married and that he had never known true happiness until this moment; but it wouldn't be right." He thought. "Not before he discussed it with Mercedes about when she wanted to announce it."

Rick came running across the field and grabbed onto Sam he nearly knocked him over onto the ground since Rick was dressed in full gear. "Esse, you old dog, when I told you not to miss your moment I never expected that massive kiss you laid on her; or the intense backstory reveal! Why didn't you ever tell me? First, I find out that you were a model landing the Treasure Trailz account. Secondly, all this time, you never told me that you two had history; you lived with her? A Grammy award winning singer! Esse, that is sick! I am never sleeping on you again Esse, you have a past; on top of a past- on the for real tho." Rick was laughing and patting Sam on his back.

Sam was blushing but he looked at Rick and said "Do you want to meet her?" Sam asked covertly. "She is staying with me for a while-you can come to my place tonight for dinner; you can bring Crystal too, it will just be the four of us." Rick looked around in a stealthy manner and lowered his speaking voice. "I like the idea of that but don't worry about cooking for us; we will bring the meal, Crystal has hipped me to this great place for Barbeque 'it's like a religious experience dude' (Rick's voice changed to one of wanton desire then he spoke again in his natural voice) you'll love it." "Sounds great" Sam answered. "But, what about all that stuff in the news about that Trey guy? Do you need me to take him out for you or something? You know that I've always got your back and between the two of us we can take him easy." Sam was amused by Rick's offer "I'll let you know if I need any help in that department but the truth is he is a liar and I am with Mercedes and happy so I couldn't care less about him; but now you get back to work you have to finish up with practice!" Sam barked. "Yes sir, Coach Esse sir."

XXXXX

Mercedes left the doctor's office depressed and fearful. The doctor had provided her with a prescription for muscle relaxers and some sprays that she could use to try to shrink some of the swelling due to irritation. "What was she going to do? All her life she had always had her voice, blessed by God people always said." She thought to herself "All the years and time that I had invested in it...all the time that I was separated from Sam to pursue it... (And then she wondered) how was she going to tell Sam? Sam had once said that 'listening to her sing was better than sex.' What would he do, or say?" Mercedes went back to Sam's apartment and cried in the darkened room for hours, and hours; the emotional stress over these last few days had really taken its toll on her; and now the thought that Mercedes Jones the 'superstar' may be leaving with no hopes of ever returning.

"Why was life always so unfair and cruel?" She thought.

XXXXX

Sam came back to the apartment that evening "Mercedes, honey, I'm home!" Sam said animatedly as he closed the door behind him as he entered and locked it. Sam couldn't help but chuckle he always fantasied about doing that. "We're going to have company tonight-Rick and Crystal; you'll finally get to meet him in person, (Sam spoke as he took off his jacket and hung it up in the hall closet) and you met Crystal on Friday, or Sunday; she is one of the secretaries; they're bringing BBQ for dinner! I soooo wanted to tell him that we got engaged but I wanted to ask you if it was alright for me to start to share our good news!" He continued to call out into the apartment but he got no response. He walked deeper into his apartment and he found Mercedes sitting on his bed but she looked a little down. Sam immediately felt it, the room felt cold, static, and there was no energy, no joy, and no warmth.

He walked toward her and kissed her on the lips. He prolonged it although it still would have been considered a peck. Mercedes provided the faintest of smiles. "What's the matter baby?" Sam asked. Mercedes pulled him by the hand and motioned for him to sit on the bed with her. "What's going on?" Sam had his signature lopsided grin, hoping to cheer her up. Mercedes wanted to speak but she didn't dare. She reached around behind her back on the side that Sam had not been seated and she pulled out some sheets of paper. She handed the first one to Sam; it read. "I have been having problems with my throat lately so I found a doctor today to check it out." After Sam had read the note, Sam looked at her and said "Okay." Mercedes handed him another piece of paper. "The doctor told me that I have two masses on my vocal chords one fairly small but the other he is more concerned about." Sam's heart sank and his body began to tremble he started shaking his head from side to side "It's not...?" He started. Mercedes quickly scribbled on another piece of paper. "No, No it's not Cancer; at least that is not what he said-not yet anyway." Sam lowered his head and closed his eyes briefly out of relief and held onto one of her hands. She wrote again on a pad "I am not supposed to talk now- my voice needs rest, and I have to decide if I am willing to have surgery to have it removed. If I do I risk the fact that I may never sing in the same way again; my career maybe over." She wrote and passed this new paper to Sam. Sam read the words on the page but it was the last four words that he could not shake from his soul. He did not dare say out loud what he was thinking or feeling.

Then his doorbell rang.

A shaken Sam looked at the sadness in Mercedes eyes. "I'll tell them to go away." He said empathetically as he started to rise but she pulled him back down and wrote on the paper again. "Are you still willing to get married? I know that you fell in love with a woman with an amazing voice; but she may be gone now." She slowly passed this piece of paper to him with her shaking hands. Sam read the paper as the doorbell rang again and he looked over at Mercedes. "Of course I am! Besides you've gotten it all wrong; I fell in love with an amazing woman who has a voice-that's different." She smiled fighting back the tears as Sam leaned in and kissed her again. Then she wrote once more "Let them stay I'd like to meet them; we could use a good time tonight-besides I'd like to start sharing our good news." Then she wiped the small tears from her eyes. The doorbell rang once more Sam squeezed her hand and then went to go open the door.

"Hey Esse we thought you stood us up or something as he walked into Sam's apartment carrying three plastic bags worth of take out and drinks-isn't that right Teddy." Crystal walked in behind Rick and kissed Sam on the cheek hello. "Thank you so much for the invitation. I'm so excited to meet her really I have always been such a big fan of hers." Sam spoke up quickly "To make this night more interesting I have thought up a game that we can play." "I like games." Crystal smiled. "I'm game-aren't I cute?" Rick winked at Crystal. "No one can speak tonight if you have anything to say you have to write it down and pass the note around the room. Let's see how long that we can keep everyone on the same topic of conversation; or will the conversation go haywire like a game of telephone." Sam said excitedly hoping they would buy into the idea and in this way Mercedes' inability to speak would not stand out. "I am all about this Coach you are going down!" was Rick's response. "I love it-this way it will be like getting her autograph too; I know I am such a fan girl but I can't help it."

Sam went and got some pads and pens from his desk drawer and distributed to Rick and Crystal but then Mercedes joined the group. Sam informed Mercedes of the game that they have decided to play this evening as he winked at her and told her that "She had to play too. You are allowed to nod yes or no for short responses, and utilize gestures but conversations you would have to write down. The first person who speaks loses; until only one winner is left standing quietly." Mercedes nodded. "See she's in!" Rick commented.

Crystal began unpacking the food onto the table and Mercedes walked over to help her. Crystal smiled and waved but she didn't speak. Rick started pointing to the bags of food on the table and started rubbing his stomach and licking his lips; in the sight of all of them. Sam walked over to the table and pulled out a chair for Mercedes to sit down. Rick bringing one of his fingers to his forehead to symbolize that Sam had a good idea just followed suit by pulling out a chair for Crystal too. The two women took their seats and then the men. Sam inhaled deeply impressed by the smells which promised a good meal to come. Mercedes grabbed Sam's hand under the table and squeezed it. Sam then brought his hands together in front of his body and waited for everyone to bow their heads and to the saying of a personal grace.

The group had gone through most of their meal but it was Crystal who accidently spoke first she was finishing up her dinner when she blurted out "I'm sorry I just can't do it I am dying to know...so you two really lived together in New York?" She gasped after the words left her lips...Rick stared at Mercedes and Sam on the other side of the table waiting to see who would break next. (Rick was extremely competitive and as much as he was falling for Crystal, right now, this was every man or woman for himself). Mercedes looked at Crystal and nodded yes. "But you two were so young weren't you?" Sam used his hand and flashed his palm three times and then added four fingers. "You were nineteen?! That is so sweet." Crystal continued. "How did you know that you were in love?" Sam started to write something down on his notepad but he was surprised by hearing Mercedes voice. "I knew that I was in love with Sam when I moved across the country just to be near him. I was in L.A. and when I heard that Sam had moved to New York with some of our other friends I convinced my producers that I needed a different type of sound, and motivation and got them to send me to New York; that's when I knew that I really did love him...love is not just the time you spend together but it is also hating the time that you stay apart. (Mercedes found herself becoming emotional) I didn't want to stay apart then and I don't want to stay apart now... I still love Sam and he has been so sweet-so sweet, that he has asked me to marry him-and I said yes." Crystal screamed and Rick jumped up from the table "Really Esse?" Rick spoke despite his earlier unwillingness to do so. "You sly dog...were you going to keep this from me too!" Rick chided. "Don't be upset with Sam, he wanted to tell you but he wanted to make sure that I was okay with it-especially with all the rumors that had been in the press about me lately." Crystal looked at Sam "Did you give her a ring?" Sam tensed at the question as if he knew this was going to be the moment that changed everything. "Yeah Sam, you had the perfect ring before too, it's a shame that you had to pawn that ring, you had, for your bail money." Sam winced when he heard the words hit the air and he feared things would never be the same again.

Author's Note: Please leave a review and tell me what you think.