We are coming to end of this story. There are only two chapters left. Hope you all know that all conflict will be resolved as quickly as possible with as less drama as possible. Thanks for continuing to read and support this work.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Most of this is borrowed from Glee, the author, Twyla Turner, role plays, and other sources. I am just the juggler keeping all these perspectives in the air as this story is told for our fandom.

Chapter Fourteen

October 7, 2023

"Oh, thank God you all came! Please, come in." Sam said to Mercedes and all of the people she had brought over to his house with her.

He then stepped to the side to let them in. Although Sam looked handsome as always, panic and exasperation oozed through every pore of his being. He was dressed casually in loose khaki joggers and a plaid shirt over a white tank. His hair darker now that it was autumn was disheveled as if he'd run his fingers through it several times.

Because it was Chelsea's Sweet 16th Birthday, Sam had decided to throw a party for her and told her to invite all her friends. However by the lack of sound in his home, it wasn't much of a party.

Mercedes had already intended to come to the party, but Sam had called in a panic telling her that no one was showing up. The reason was that a lot of Chelsea's friends had told her that they couldn't come because their parents knew what he used to do for a living, and they didn't want their children around him. As if he'd have his porn star friends over doing live sex acts in front of teenagers. Punishing a child based on a parent's former profession was ludicrous. She bet several of those objecting viewed porn or even had family members or friends who secretly had an Only Fans page. She'd best her her business that more than half of those objecting had read Fifty Shades of Grey or watched the movies and/or streamed Bridgeton and Queen Charlotte. It would be different if Sam was a child molester or convicted criminal. The solution was getting to know the man he was today. If they didn't agree on his lifestyle or got bad vibes from him, then they could make a decision that wouldn't cause his daughter to be punished from the past actions of her parent.

Mercedes's response to Sam's call of distress was to call up her friends who lived there, Tina and Kurt, and they immediately said they were willing to come. Kurt had told Blaine, and he'd gotten Matt to come and bring a few of his friends. And the minute the teen boy walked out into the backyard; Chelsea's depressed aura immediately brightened.

A few of her friends who had parents who weren't judgmental or just too busy to notice, laid on the patio with her getting some sun. Matt had brought three of his friends, and she just so happened to have three friends there.

Mercedes watched them with a smile. She hoped it would actually be better than having forty or fifty kids at a party. The small number gave everybody a better chance to get to know each other.

Kurt, Blaine, and Tina followed Sam and Mercedes to the kitchen ready to help.

"Point us to where you need us." Blaine offered.

"All the food is prepped. If someone wants to man the grill while I finish decorating her cake, that would be great." Sam said gratefully.

"I'm a master griller. I'll take care of that." Blaine said proudly.

"He's not lying." Kurt agreed. "He grills for us all the time."

"Perfect." Sam said.

Blaine grabbed the tray of prepared meat and headed out back.

Sam looked out the glass door to the teens on the deck. Then, he gave Mercedes a curious look.

"She met the one kid, Matt, at the self-defense class at Blaine's gym. They seemed to hit it off. So, Blaine asked him if he wanted to come and bring some friends."

"As much as I want to keep her in a gilded cage, away from anyone older than thirteen with a penis, I'm really grateful they're here." Sam sighed. "It was looking like the worst sweet sixteen birthday party ever."

"Yeah, Blaine vouched for him, and he seems like a sweet kid, too. I don't think you'll have too much to worry about him or the party being a disaster." Mercedes smiled at him and rubbed his back.

She remembered that their interactions were supposed to be platonic only. She quickly removed her hand before any of the kids, especially Chelsea, could catch her. Or maybe she needed to remind herself that it was supposed to be purely platonic with sex on the side. It didn't help how her friends grinned at her as she'd rubbed his back.

She missed the look of disappointment on his face when she removed her hand.

"What do you need me to do?" She asked.

"DJ, serve drinks, chaperone, take your pick." Sam grinned at her.

"Ooh! I'll serve drinks." Kurt piped up. Seeing the area for drinks were near the grill and his husband. Kurt hurried in that direction to the love of his life.

"I'll DJ!" Tina raised her hand like she was in school. She didn't know the kids and chaperoning six teens were not her idea of having fun. She did know and loved music, so she excitedly went to check out Sam's Bluetooth speaker and hooked her iPhone to it playing the latest and greatest hits.

Within seconds of Tina blasting the music, all of the teens got up and started dancing to Rema and Selena Gomez's "Calm Down."

"I guess that means that I need to go outside and play the role of chaperone." Mercedes said.

As soon as Mercedes made it to Tina, she grabbed her hand and spun her. Then did the TikTok dance as well a little salsa out on the deck with the kids. They watched Kurt and Blaine dance beside each other while dancing to the catchy song.

Tina slid close to Mercedes and told her, "You two make a gorgeous couple, by the way."

"Tee…" Mercedes said in a warning tone.

"What?!" She said innocently.

"Don't get started."

"I'm just saying. You look good together and more importantly…you both look happy."

"I am happy with things just the way they are."

Tina gave her a sad face.

"Your puppy dog eyes aren't going to change my mind." Mercedes rolled her eyes.

"Fine!"

"She is right though." Kurt had come over and heard the end of their conversation. He couldn't help but to chime in and shrugged when Mercedes gave him the stink eye. "Sorry Mercy Mine: facts are facts."

"Both of you can go and eat a bag full of dicks." Mercedes grumbled under her breath.

"Don't be grossed! We know you already sucked them all." Kurt shot back.

Now, it was Tina who doubled over with laughter.

Once Sam was done decorating the cake, he came out onto the patio to enjoy the festivities. Mercedes watched behind her sunglasses as he walked over to the kids. She smiled when he approached Matt. They shook hands and Matt engaged with him easily. After a few minutes of talking, Sam must have realized that Matt was harmless, because he moved on and let the kids have fun. He walked over to Blaine and the grill, to check on how the food was coming along.

Eventually, Sam made his way over to the sitting area and sat next to Mercedes. Their legs pressed together from hip to knee. They chatted with the group, reminiscing about when they were sixteen. The music changed to Nelly's "Ride Wit Me". A song much older than the kids appreciated. They groaned with irritation at the adults. But that quickly changed to laughter as the adults got up to dance.

Mercedes swayed her hips to the beat and Sam came up behind her to dance against her. She turned and without much thought, they danced a little too closely. Neither noticed Chelsea was watching them closely.

Throughout the rest of the day into the evening, everything went smoothly. The teens were able to watch a movie on the outside projection screen and had popcorn and drinks while they watched the classic Sixteen Candles. How they had enough room to continue eat after devouring ribs, burgers, and/or the vegan hot dogs as well as the sides that Sam had made, Mercedes didn't have a clue. Sam had enough food to feed fifty, but Blaine only cooked half that amount, and for eleven people to eat enough for twenty-five people, Mercedes was shocked. Blaine told her that growing boys could eat, and he and Sam must still be growing boys because they ate just as much as the teens.

Everything was going perfect. Too perfect.

Mercedes saw how well Sam and Chelsea got along with her besties and Blaine. Part of her circle. Her family minus Santana and Dani who were in New York. She'd carefully curated her family of misfits, and she wasn't sure she was ready to bring anyone else into their fold. Or if it didn't work out if she included Sam and Chelsea how devastated everyone would be. Relationships weren't just about the two people who formed it. They often involved blood relations and friend circles. One side always lost.

Mercedes sighed softly. Sam nudged her shoulder with his.

"Are you, okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good." She grinned at him.

She looked away and caught Chelsea's eye. The teen was watching her curiously. Mercedes winked at her. She smiled softly back, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Shit! I hope she hasn't noticed anything. Mercedes began to panic internally.

Her panic eased when the adults got up and started cleaning up everything. The sun had set, the air had gotten chilly, and it felt like everyone was winding down.

As they cleaned the kitchen, Chelsea entered the kitchen and moved over to Sam.

"Hey, Dad. Can I stay the night at Brittany's?"

"Sure. Do you need a ride?"

"Nope. Her mom's on the way to pick her up."

"Okay. Well, have fun. Enjoy the rest of your night sweetheart." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Daddy!" She whined at the kiss.

"Sorry, my bad for being a loving dad." Sam raised his hands.

She ran upstairs to get pajamas and clothes for the next day.

"Thanks for a great time." Blaine said to Sam. "Your food is as always very delicious. I would like that recipe for that hot potato salad; it was delicious."

"Thanks, man. Give me your number, and I will text it to you." They exchanged numbers and shook hands.

"Alright, come on, boys, it's time to go. You have gotten on the girls' nerves long enough." Blaine teased them.

Matt flushed with embarrassment but followed Blaine outside with his friends.

Her friends hugged Mercedes.

"See you tomorrow at our brunch?" Tina asked.

"Of course." Mercedes said.

"Alrighty. We'll see you tomorrow then."

"Bye."

Chelsea ran back down the stairs. She looked as the rest of Mercedes's crew walked out the door but saw Mercedes was still standing next to her father in the kitchen.

"Aren't you leaving with them?" Chelsea asked.

"No, I'm gonna stay behind and help your dad clean up the rest of the mess. I feel bad leaving him alone with all of this." Mercedes explained.

Chelsea frowned slightly but then she seemed to shrug it off and waved before walking out the door.

That kid definitely knows something's up.

A bad feeling crept up Mercedes's spine.

After they cleaned up, Sam grasped Mercedes's hand, and he led her upstairs to his bedroom. He didn't say a word; he knew if he opened his mouth that he'd say something foolish. Instead, he opted to tell her all he wanted to say with his body.

She also seemed unusually quiet. Another reason he feared opening his mouth. It felt like she was also on the verge of saying something. But he worried what she had to say was the exact opposite of what he needed to get off his chest.

Mercedes stood at the foot of the bed. Sam wrapped his arms around her from behind. He kissed the side of her neck, and she let her head fall to the side to give him better access. He pulled the straps of her navy jumpsuit off her shoulders and down her arms. His fingernails lightly scraped her soft skin as he went. He planted a light kiss on her bare shoulders.

Sam dropped to his knees behind her and pulled down her panties. He kissed the round globes of her butt cheeks. He stood once more and quickly peeled out of his clothing as fast as he could.

"I need you to crawl to the middle of the bed." He instructed.

Mercedes did as he asked and crawled to the middle of the bed. Sam grabbed a pillow and met her there.

"Lift your head." He said.

Mercedes raised her head and he slid the pillow under her. Sam moved over her and she opened up so he could settle between her legs. His thumbs brushed over her cheeks. He caressed every feature with his eyes. Mercedes raised her hand, and she brushed back a strand of hair that had flopped on his forehead. Her eyes also took in his face.

Sam feared it was, again, for different reasons for her. He memorized her face because he loved her and wanted more. He worried she memorized his face because this was goodbye.

He inclined his head until his lips touched her forehead. He planted a soft kiss there. His soft lips greeted each eyelid. Then he moved to each cheek. He kissed the tip of her nose. She wrinkled it and laughed softly. He kissed her chin and along her jawline.

Finally, his lips found hers. The kiss started off sweet and soft. Light pecks. Then Mercedes opened up to him and Sam dipped his tongue deep within her depths. His hands still at the sides of her face clutched her tightly. Her hands wrapped around his back and held him to her.

Sam released her lips with a gasp. He moved down her neck. He took his time as he kissed, licked, and suckled her breasts. He stayed until she began to squirm. He kissed and licked down her stomach. He softly kissed the top of her bare mound, and then traveled even further south where he knew she wanted him.

"Pillow." He said from between her legs.

Mercedes reached back for another pillow and handed it to him. He shoved it under her backside, raising her up to mouth level. Sam dipped back down.

He ate her like he had kissed her moments before. His tongue moved with loving strokes. He French kissed her nether lips, gathered her slick arousal on his tongue, and used it to glide over her clit. He circled the nub and ended on a butterfly soft flick of the tongue. Mercedes gasped above and rolled her hips towards his mouth. His sign that he'd found the spot. Sam wrapped his hands around her thighs to hold on as he continued that same move. He circled and flicked her clit until her ass clenched and a cry ripped from her throat. Mercedes bucked against his tongue and her internal walls of her vagina flexed as she hit her climax.

Sam crawled back up her body. He left the pillow under her to help with what he had planned. He rubbed the tip of his cock against her slick opening. After her orgasm it was easy to slip right in. He moved high up on her body and laid flush against her.

Mercedes looked at him curiously. Then Sam ground down against her. She gasped and her eyes widened.

Years ago, he'd learned about the Coital Alignment Technique but had never tried it. It seemed like something to do with a partner that he had a deep connection with. Someone you wanted to be close to forever. He'd never found that person…until now.

The position helped to stimulate the clit during penetration. It was mostly for her, since the position only let him in to the tip. But Sam didn't mind. Pleasuring her was a turn on for him.

So, he clutched her face once more and kissed her deeply and he grinded into her. Mercedes gasped and he looked down at her. They held gazes as he circled his hips against her. Sam stared into her soul. Mercedes's eyes became glassy and she blinked rapidly. She tensed and her mouth popped open. Sam held her eye contact as an orgasm tore through her.

As her climax crested, Sam slightly repositioned himself and stroked all the way into the base. Mercedes cried out as it reactivated her orgasm and extended it. Sam slowly rolled his hips and let the walls of her lotus flex and squeeze around him. The intimacy of their lovemaking brought Sam to the brink quickly. Their eye contact had never broken, and it was her turn to look into his eyes as he exploded. He growled and rode out his climax as his shaft rippled. As if the streams of cum could mark his territory. Brand her. Make her his forever.

Sam melted on top of her. His cheek rested against her chest. He listened as her heart slowed to a steady beat. Her hands caressed through his hair and down his back. The act was soothing and loving. His heart filled with hope.

"What about your family?" Sam asked curiously. "You never speak of your family."

"For a good reason. They are all in Ohio, and the only thing they ever agreed on me doing was marrying Shane. When that fell apart, my entire family disowned me, like I played a part in their favorite in law's downfall. You know how they bragged about him playing college football and when he was drafted and played football in the NFL, and they still bragged about him after his injury forced him to retire and he was so called into the ministry. When the truth came out they disassociated from us really fast, and when I decided to move to California with my heathen and deviant friends, they completely disowned me again even though I was divorced from Shane." Mercedes said without much emotion.

Sam rose up to look at her.

"Oh my God! You haven't spoken to any of them? Not even a phone call?"

"Nope." Mercedes shook her head.

"I'm so sorry, Mercedes."

"It's okay. I created my own family. My three best friends and their loved ones are my family."

Sam took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

"You could have a family with me you know. Me and Chelsea. She loves you. I-I love you." Sam stammered but recovered quickly.

The emotions that ran across her face, Sam's heart reacted to each one. The very first was reciprocal love. But that was only for a split second, and Sam wasn't sure since it came and went so fast that it could've been a figment of his imagination. The second was fear. That one lasted long enough for him to know it was real. And the last emotion he saw before her face completely shuttered was a deep sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I can't do this."

Mercedes rose up, which pushed him partially off of her. He rolled off completely. He scooted to the edge of the bed to find his joggers. But instead, he just sat there with his elbows on his knees and head bowed.

"Tell me you don't love me." He whispered.

"I-I don't love you." Mercedes's voice trembled slightly.

"You're lying." Sam growled as he picked up his joggers and pulled them on.

"No, I'm not." She said softly. Unconvincingly.

"You are!" He stood and turned to face her. "You can lie to yourself, but you can't lie to me. Or even your friends. They told me they can tell you have feelings for me. But I won't beg, and I won't try to convince you."

"Sam, I'm fond of you, yes. But that's where it ends. I don't catch feelings."

"Then get out." He ground out. "And don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you."

"Sam."

"GET OUT!" He bellowed.

Mercedes grabbed her jumpsuit and quickly put it on.

"I absolutely knew it!" A shout came from the door.

Sam and Mercedes's heads jerked up to the door. Chelsea stood there staring at them with angry tears in her eyes.

"Chelsea." Sam stepped towards her.

"No!" She held up her hands. "I knew you wouldn't be able to keep your hands to yourself. You say your old life is in the past, but here you are, can't keep your dick in your pants."

"Chelsea!" Both Sam and Mercedes shouted.

"You ruin everything! I knew you'd do something to push her away." Chelsea yelled, finally allowing the tears to spill down her cheeks.

The teen turned and ran to her bedroom. Her door slammed so hard it shook the walls and made both adults flinch.

"See?" Mercedes said. "This could never work."

"Bullshit!" Sam hissed. "You know damn well that if you wanted this, and we sat down and talked to her, she'd be over the moon. She's an irrational teenager that makes up stories in her head. She heard us arguing and assumes the worst."

"And she wasn't wrong."

"Yeah, because you're a coward."

"Go to hell, Sam Evans!"

"Don't like hearing the truth? The door is wide open." He pointed to it.

Mercedes's jaw clenched. She quickly turned away from him and stormed out the room. He could hear her stomp through his home looking for her shoes and purse. His eyes closed and he flinched again when the front door slammed closed.

Sam took deep gulps of air to keep his emotions in check. He wiped at the few tears he wasn't able to hold in. Instead of focusing on the woman who'd easily walked out of his life, he focused on the girl who couldn't so easily leave. He took a fortifying breath, grabbed the gift he'd wanted to give her in private off his dresser, and headed down the hall to her room. He lightly knocked on the door.

"Go away." He heard her muffled voice.

"You know that's not going to happen. Can I come in? I have your birthday gift."

He heard nothing. It was his cue that she was willing to talk but didn't want to admit it.

He turned the knob and opened the door. Chelsea laid on her bed face down on top of the covers. Sam walked over and sat on the edge next to her hip.

"Before we talk about me, I want to know what happened that made you come home so early." Sam began.

"I found out Brittany was trying to talk to Matt behind my back. We got into an argument and I left."

Ah…so she was already upset. Like I thought. Her reaction was not only about finding out about him and Mercedes.

She'd lost a friend and then a mentor in one night. To be so young and plagued with so much loss, it was no wonder she'd exploded.

"I'm so sorry, Chelsea."

"No, you're not. You're just sorry I caught you."

"Caught me doing what exactly? Spending time with the woman I love?" He said and Chelsea whipped her head around to look at him. "I'm an adult. I am allowed to have relationships."

"But why her? Why my mentor?"

"I can no more help who I fall for than you can. We spent time together and really liked each other."

"But you were arguing?"

"Because she's scared to fall in love. Tonight, I told her how I felt and she rejected me. That's why we were fighting." Sam's shoulders slumped dejectedly.

The bed shook under him and suddenly he felt small arms wrap around him and a cheek rest against his back.

"I'm sorry, Dad."

Sam swallowed thickly to keep from breaking. His daughter's sudden empathy squeezed at his heart for more reasons than one.

"I love you, Dad. You'll always have me." She squeezed tighter.

"Of course!" Sam finally raised the small wrapped present he'd been holding. "For you."

Chelsea took the present and tore the wrapping paper off. Inside was a navy velvet box. She opened it and gasped. It was a white gold chain with a matching pendant. A name plate with her name in cursive in diamonds.

"It's beautiful, Dad." She whispered.

"I got it especially made. Using your mom's handwriting. Exactly how she wrote your name." Sam explained.

"I love it." Chelsea hugged him tightly again. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"You can call me CeCe, if you want."

Sam finally broke down.