"What do you think?"
The softly asked question broke Mercedes' concentration from the white dress hanging in front of the window and she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her normally straight black hair fell down her back in a mass of wavy curls. A section from each side of her head were pulled back and secured at the back of her head with a diamond clip.
"It's perfect Tina." She smiled widely in the mirror at her friend, "I love it, thank you so much!"
"I'm glad I could help, and thank you again for letting me be a part of your special day even though we haven't been close for very long."
"We may not have known each other long or that well but that is all going to change now that you, Mike and the kids relocated to New York, right?"
"Right?"
Days after Lilliana was born Mike and Tina flew to New York to come and see the baby. Mercedes was still in a daze over everything that had happened and terrified at the numerous complications plaguing her daughter. She needed support which she had in spades from Sam, her mother, and her friends but Tina offered her something as a new mother that none of them could give her. Tina didn't try to downplay her fears or search for a silver lining, she just listened to Mercedes spill her guts about all the fears she had and she simply nodded her head and said, "I know, believe me I know."
During the delivery of Tina and Mike's daughter, Aubrey, the baby's shoulder was stuck in the birth canal and her collarbone was subsequently broken during the delivery. The bone eventually healed and the baby suffered no nerve damage but it was a tough time for them all. Tina said she went over her head a million times a day all of the things she could have done differently to prevent her baby from having to go through what she went through. She told Mercedes that it was okay to be scared and to worry and there was no shame in feeling guilty. She also said though that it was important not to wallow because while you could 'what if' all day long it would never change the current predicament and therefore it was nothing more than a waste of energy.
Tina and Mike and their children stayed a week and in that time Tina and Mercedes became fast friends. In the meantime Mike and Sam were talking business and once Sam found out that Mike and Tina were interested in relocating he was chomping at the bit to get Mike on at Evans advertising. It took months and months of negotiating, begging, pleading and a little bribing but a little over a month ago Mike agreed to be the Chief Financial Officer for the company. They bought a townhouse not too far from where Sam and Mercedes lived and the two couples have been practically inseparable since. Their son Drake had taken to calling Mercedes and Sam, Aunt Cedes and Uncle Sammy and Aubrey just adored Lilliana.
Mercedes hugged Tina to her one more time and when she pulled away she could see the woman furiously blinking back tears.
"Stop it right now, Tina! If you start then I'm going to start and if I mess up Santana's make-up job there will be hell to pay."
"You damn right," Santana announced haughtily as she sauntered into the room with a garment bag flung over her arm. "That brief stint working the make-up counter at Sephora years ago has come in handy. Although, I'm curious to how it is you got the pixie to allow you to use your friends to do your hair and make-up instead of highly trained professionals?"
"Ugh, don't even get me started on that…"
4 MONTHS AGO
"So what about the Plaza?" Kurt asked hopefully as he thumbed through wedding magazines.
"The Plaza? In June? With only four months notice? It's never going to happen." Mercedes answered matter-of-factly. "Besides I already told you I don't want some huge lavish wedding."
Kurt made a huffing noise under his breath and continued flipping through the ridiculously thick magazine. Mercedes rolled her eyes at her friend before turning her gaze down at her two month old daughter who was lazily blinking her hazel eyes as she fought sleep.
"What about here? It's a nice big place, and we could do something on the rooftop."
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that," Kurt said in a mildly disgusted tone, "your house is nice and all but it isn't the right type of venue for an event like this."
"And what, pray tell, is the right type of venue for an 'event' like this?"
"The Plaza or the Peninsula, the Four Seasons, Gramercy Park…" Kurt answered, "You're marrying a multi-millionaire Mercedes, not some guy slinging office supplies at Office Depot and your wedding must reflect that."
"But it's not what I want. I want to be somewhere I'm comfortable with people that I love, that's all."
"That's a sweet idea, really it is." He responded sarcastically, "but what about Sam?"
"What about him?"
"Does he want small and comfortable with five people there? Or does he want a big wedding where he can invite the numerous important people in his life?"
"I'm sure he doesn't care—"
"Do you know that for a fact?"
"Well, no, we haven't really talked about it—"
"In that case I think we should find out now….SAM!" Kurt yelled loudly as he got up from his loveseat and walked towards the general direction of Sam's office.
"Kurt!" Mercedes hissed loudly as Lilliana jerked in her arms at the loud noise and her tiny face scrunched up in preparation to start wailing.
"Sorry," Kurt looked back at the two of them sheepishly and gave a half-hearted 'shhhhh' in Lilliana's direction once her loud cried filled the air.
Mercedes glared at Kurt as she brought Lily up to her shoulder and started patting her back soothingly. Seconds later Sam came out of his office with a concerned look on his face and made a beeline for Mercedes and Lily.
"Is everything okay?"
"It's fine," Mercedes answered as she continued shooting Kurt the evil eye, "Kurt just thought it was necessary to yell at the top of his lungs with a sleeping baby in the room."
Sam brought his large hand up and Mercedes moved hers aside so that he could rub circles on the baby's back.
"What's so important you felt the need to wake my daughter up?" Sam asked once Lily had calmed down and drifted back to sleep.
"A question. What do you feel about the Plaza?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes again as Sam looked at Kurt in confusion, "That was what was so important?"
"Not exactly…just what are your thoughts on the Plaza?"
"Nice place. Expensive but it's worth it."
"So what do you think about getting married there?"
Sam looked down at Mercedes who was still glaring daggers at her best friend, "Is that where you want to get married? I'm sure I can make a few calls and get a date booked."
'I do NOT want to get married at the Plaza. In fact, more than anything I would prefer something small and intimate…maybe even here."
Sam's face pulled into a slight grimace but he quickly recovered and gave her a smile, "whatever you want baby."
"Un-uh, I saw that face. Be honest, do you want to get married at the Plaza?"
"Hell no, but…"
"But you don't want to get married here either."
"Not really. It's not big enough and frankly I don't want a bunch of people I don't know that well traipsing through our house."
"You don't know so well? Who do you plan on inviting?"
"I do have some family, although it's all extended. I have a few college friends that I've kept in touch with, some business contacts, etc."
"And what exactly does that add up to?"
"Well, at my…thing with Quinn we had 150 guests and about 75% of those were people that I invited."
Mercedes looked up at Sam in disbelief and shook her head from side to side.
"With all of my family, extended and beyond, and every friend I've ever had since grade school I might could get 40 people…maybe. But they would be people that I didn't know that well and haven't spoken to in years. I don't want that for our day."
"I want you to be happy Mercy so whatever you want we'll do. If you want to get married here with five people then I will be here with bells and whistles on."
"Um no," Kurt interrupted, "That's just…no. How about a compromise?"
"We're listening."
"How about you do a small wedding somewhere that is not this house with just close friends and family and then have a lavish reception at the Plaz—wherever you two choose."
"That's almost a halfway decent idea," Sam said jokingly before looking back down at Mercedes, "what do you think, babe?"
"I'm in."
"Me too."
The two shared a kiss but were quickly brought apart by the loud, exasperated groaning noises coming from Kurt.
"I hate to interrupt the love fest but we have to get started now if we're going to have a halfway decent wedding and reception."
"We?" Mercedes asked.
"Yes, we. You, the bride, Sam, the groom, and me, the wedding planner."
"You're the wedding planner? I don't remember hiring you," She taunted, "Maybe since we're having a lavish ceremony I should find a professional to plan our big day."
"I am a professional." Kurt answered in a deadly serious voice that had both Sam and Mercedes laughing, "I promise you will find no one better."
"Mmmm-hmmm. And what exactly are we supposed to be paying you for this service, Mr. Professional?"
Kurt gasped dramatically, "I am offended that you would think I would charge the two of you to help plan your special day."
"Kurt." Mercedes said in a stern voice that clearly said she wasn't buying it, "what do you want?"
"You're my best friend and I've dreamed of planning your wedding for years—"
"What. Do. You. Want?"
After a short pause Kurt answered, "An unlimted budget. A dress imported from Paris, flowers flown in from all over the world and the best hair and make-up team money can buy.:
"Fine—" Sam started but he was interrupted by the vehement shaking of Mercedes head.
"A LIMITED but substantial budget. I'll look in my dress in New York first and if I don't find something I like then I will broaden my search. There are plenty of great flower shops all over New York that have gorgeous flowers that we can use and I have friends who can do my hair and make-up."
"Mercedes…" Kurt whined.
"That's my bottom line, Kurt. I might change my mind about a few things but I won't budge on most. Deal?"
"Deal." He answered petulantly, "I still think the dress should come from Paris though."
"We'll see," she allowed, "but for now we're starting in NYC. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it." With a loud huff Kurt sat back unnecessarily hard in his love seat and picked up the bridal magazine again and starting viciously thumbing through it again.
Sam and Mercedes watched Kurt's over the top hissy fit in amused silence before finally Sam whipped out his cell phone and pushed a speed dial button.
"Mrs. Halbright? Hi, I need you to do me a huge favor. Could you get in touch with American Express and add a cardholder to my black card account? The name is Kurt Hummel."
PRESENT DAY
So wait…Sam gave Kurt full access to the black card?" Santana screeched out in disbelief. "How in the hell do you even afford this wedding, shouldn't you be up to your necks in credit card debt by now?"
"To be fair Kurt wasn't that bad. I relented on the dress because he found one in Paris that I just couldn't live without and it fits like a dream. But of course, its price tag is like something out of a nightmare, I literally got weak in the knees when I saw how much it cost. Aside from that, this hair clip and my shoes everything else was pretty reasonable. Actually…I take that back, the hotel for the reception was ridiculously priced too but I guess it's to be expected on such short notice."
"What's the hotel called again?" Tina asked.
"The Mandarian Oriental. Me, Sam, Kurt, and Blaine went and checked it out one day and it's gorgeous, I almost wish I let Kurt talk me into getting married there."
"This place is really nice too," Santana said begrudgingly as she looked around the room, "whose house is this again?"
"An old friend of Sam's parents. He used to come out here every summer with his kids but they've all moved overseas with their own families and his health is declining so he doesn't come out here much anymore. Sam thinks he's planning on selling and if so we might be buying it."
The beautiful six bedroom summer home in Southampton was a sight to behold. Mercedes fell in love with the house the second she stepped foot in it. The rooms were spacious and beautifully decorated; the kitchen was any chef's dream, and the backyard and pool were massive. Visions of Lilliana and her future siblings running through that yard ran through Mercedes head before she could stop them. She normally shied away from the thought of spending copious amounts of Sam's—their money but for this house a big price tag wasn't much of a deterrent.
"Well before the old guy croaks you guys should definitely get this place."
"Santana!" Mercedes hissed in an admonishing tone, "I said his health was declining I didn't say he was on his death bed."
"Tomato, to-mah-to," Santana shrugged unapologetically, "you both know you were thinking the same thing. Right, Tina?"
Tina's skin turned a deep pink and she lowered her eyes.
"See?" Santana laughed.
'You are too damn much, Tana."
"I try and I succeed every time." She answered with a wink.
Mercedes shook her head at her friend's antics and looked at the digital clock sitting on the bedside table and a bubble of panic rose in her chest.
"We only have an hour left, where is Emma, Kurt and my mother?"
"Kurt is running around here squawking orders at everybody. Emma had to go help Will get Liam ready because clearly he is useless. And your mother and her hubby the good doctor are with Lily and Tina's kids." Santana answered calmly.
"Speaking of my little rugrats I should probably go get them now that I'm done with your hair." Tina said as she cleared up the hair products that she used and tossed them into a zebra print duffle bag. "I'm sure Aubrey wasn't too much trouble but Drake is a handful and I don't want him running your mother and step-father ragged before the wedding."
Mercedes smiled at her friend as the word step-father echoed through her head…
THREE MONTHS AGO
"Mama, are you sure about this?"
"For the hundredth time Mercedes, yes, I'm 100% sure."
"Good," Mercedes choked out as she zipped up the back of her Marilyn's dress. She smoothed her hands over her mother's shoulders to smooth away the wrinkles but she pulled her hands back when she realized they were trembling.
Marilyn turned to face Mercedes with a smile on her face but the smile quickly faltered when she saw the expression on her daughter's face.
"What's the matter sweetheart? Is this about Kenneth? I thought you liked him."
"I do." Mercedes answered honestly, "He's a really great man and I'm glad you found him but…it's been like a month Mama, are you really sure about marrying him?"
"It's been three and yes, I'm sure. I know what I'm doing and I know what I want."
Mercedes heard the steel in her mother's voice and she had no doubt in her mind that Marilyn Jones soon-to-be Larimore knew exactly what she wanted.
"What is this really about?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if you don't have a problem with Kenneth then what is this really about?"
"I don't know what you mean Mama."
"Either you're acting strange because you're lying about liking Kenneth or because you're freaked out about your own wedding and you're projecting it onto me. Which one is it?"
"Neither!" Mercedes answered defensively.
"Liar." Her mother said simply as she turned back towards the mirror and straightened the bodice of her dress.
"Marriage is forever, Mama." Mercedes finally said after a long stretch of silence, "How do you know that you want that with a man you've only known a few months?"
"How long have you known Sam again?"
"That's different Sam and I have known each other for over a year."
"And how much of that have you actually been together?"
"We—"
"And how long were you messing around before you got pregnant?"
"Mama!"
"What? Am I lying? Don't act as if you two have had this long lasting relationship because you haven't."
"I know that but we weren't getting married after only knowing each other for a few months! Kenneth proposed to you after like a week, which by the way I didn't find out about until almost a month later!"
"Are you still mad about that? I've explained to you over and over again why we chose to keep our relationship private. You had enough on your plate with Lily being in the hospital and then your father showing up out of the blue, I didn't want to add more to it."
Marilyn met Kenneth in the hospital the day after Lily was born and according to them both it was love at first sight. Kenneth Larimore was a 52-year-old orthopedic surgeon that happened to be in the maternity ward, a place he hardly ever visited, at the same time Marilyn was there. She was visibly upset after visiting Lily and she was outside in the hallway trying to relay information about Mercedes and the baby's condition to family members in a loud and busy hallway. Kenneth came up to her, grabbed her hand and led her to a quiet room so that she could make her calls in peace. Marilyn was so shocked she didn't even get a chance to introduce herself before he walked away and left her alone. Days later she came across him again in the cafeteria and she went up to him and initiated an introduction and thanked him for helping her find a moment's peace and quiet. He bought her lunch that day and they instantly fell into an easy conversation. Kenneth was a widower that lost his wife over 15 years before to breast cancer and he had two children: a 27-year-old son named Clark and a 25-year-old daughter named Angela.
Kenneth had never dated after his wife's death or even been so much as attracted to another woman—until Marilyn. He told her that he had first seen her when she got on the elevator to go to the maternity ward. He wanted to talk to her then but the elevator was full of people and he could tell she looked upset so he told himself to let it go. The next day an opportunity to go to the maternity ward arose and instead of sending an aide to take care of it like he normally would he did it himself. Luckily for him his timing was perfect and he was on the floor at the same time Marilyn came out of the NICU. He could tell she was bothered by all the hustle and bustle around her so he led her to a small waiting area that was hardly ever used. He left her alone to make her calls but according to him the small smile of gratitude she gave him brightened his whole day. It was three more days before he saw her again and when she came up to him in the cafeteria and introduced herself he was shocked. To hear him tell it he fell in love with Marilyn over that lunch and by the end of it he knew he wanted to marry her. They exchanged numbers that day and had practically been inseparable since.
Mercedes didn't meet Kenneth until two days after the dinner with her father and she could admit that she was less than receptive to a new man in her mother's life because she was still smarting from her altercation with the last man that had been in her mother's life. After an initial chilly reception to Kenneth Sam pulled her aside and asked her what her problem was. She tried to play it off but he saw right through her and let her know, kindly but firmly, that Kenneth was nothing like Richard and he deserved a chance. Mercedes felt an inch tall after her talk with Sam and after going back in the living room and seeing Marilyn's hurt expression she felt even smaller. She immediately went to Kenneth and apologized for the way she had been acting and he graciously accepted and re-introduced himself so that they could start over. From then on it had been smooth sailing and the following week when they all had Sunday dinner together at Kenneth's house he and Marilyn announced that they were engaged to be married and they wanted to do so as soon as possible. Shocked wasn't a strong enough word to describe what Mercedes felt at the news but she bit back her concerns and put on a wide smile for her mother's benefit.
Now, it was now or never and even though her timing sucked and she knew it Mercedes felt that she had to bring it up just one last time before her mother took the plunge.
"I want you to be happy, Mama."
"I am Mercedes…come here." Marilyn took Mercedes' and led her toward the edge of the bed and they both sat down.
"After dealing with your father for years I'll be the first to admit that a man was not high on my list priorities. He hurt me time and time again until it got to the point that they only way I knew how to protect myself was to avoid love altogether. I had you and I convinced myself that was all I would ever need."
"Mama…" Mercedes said sadly before she was cut off by her mother's brusque tone.
"Nope, none of that. I am not sad that I focused on my child because that is what I should have been doing. The only regret I have is that in the few moments of weakness that I had I fell for Richard's bullshit. You live and you learn and I had to do it the hard way when it came to love. I had gotten to the point where I wasn't looking for it or expecting it but it found me anyway."
"Yeah, I know what's like," Mercedes answered softly with a smile as she twirled her engagement ring on her finger.
"It's scary, falling so hard and so fast for someone you just met. It's confusing and it feels wrong because you think it can't be real or viable if it happens that quickly. You question everything, you throw up walls that don't need to be there, you self-sabotage…" She said as she looked pointedly at Mercedes.
"We're more alike than I think either one of us would like to admit. I had my doubts about Kenneth and all those concerns you brought up today, trust me, I've gone over them about a million times in my head."
"What makes you so sure then?"
"You and Sam. I watch the two of you all the time. I know the hell the two of you've been through but even still you made it. You two may have stumbled but you never fell apart and even though you were twisted and bent to the point of no return you never broke. Two people who weren't meant to be together wouldn't have been able to get through half of the stuff the two of you did."
Tears sprung to Mercedes eyes and she blinked them back before leaning forward to hug her mother.
"I love you Mama…so much," Mercedes choked out, "and as long as you're happy, I'm happy. You deserve the absolute best and I think you found it. Kenneth is an amazing guy and I'm so happy you two have each other."
"Do you mean it? Really?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"That means more to me than you know, Mercedes."
The two women hugged again until a timid knock on the door interrupted them. Kenneth's daughter Angela poked her head in the door and asked the two of them were they ready.
Mercedes looked at her mom expectedly and Marilyn smiled widely at her at grabbed her hand and said, "Let's go get me married."
PRESENT DAY
"What are you thinking about?"
Mercedes was brought out of her mental stroll down memory lane to see her mother gazing down at her questioningly.
"I was thinking about your wedding day."
"It was pretty amazing wasn't it?" Marilyn asked smugly which caused Mercedes to laugh but she sobered slightly when she looked at the clock and saw that she had less than 45 minutes left to get dressed.
"We're running out of time! I still have to get my dress and veil and shoes on, I need to make sure Lily is taken care of…is the preacher here yet? Oh my God…where is Kurt?"
"Calm down sweetheart, everything is right on schedule. The preacher got here about 20 minutes ago, Lily is fine she's with Sam now, and Kurt, Emma, Santana and Tina are all outside the door waiting."
"Why?"
"Because I asked them to, I wanted a moment with you alone."
"Oh, okay." Mercedes said as she took a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves.
"I just want to let you know how proud of you I am. You've been through a lot but you always come out stronger on the other side. You are an amazing mother and that little girl is so lucky to have you as is Sam. You are by far the best thing I have ever done. You were the best choice I've ever made and you will always have the biggest piece of my heart. I love you Mercedes."
"I love you too, Mama." She choked out as she valiantly fought the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. The two women held each other tightly as they swayed back and forth for a long minute.
Marilyn pulled away first and she took a hanky from her small purse and dabbed gently at the corner of Mercedes' eyes.
"We better stop before Santana kills us both," Marilyn laughed thickly as she dabbed her own eyes.
"Before I let them all in I just wanted to give you your something old." Her mother smoothed out the lacy, slightly yellowed handkerchief and handed it to Mercedes.
"This was my Mother's. Her mother had embroidered it for her for her wedding day. It was passed down to me and now I'm passing it to you and I hope one day you'll pass it on to Lily."
"I will."
Mercedes studied the fabric for a second and noticed that the edge on one side was slightly frayed.
"Has this been cut?"
"Yes it has." Marilyn moved over to where Mercedes' dress was hanging in the window and she reached up and pulled the dress down. She folded the long train over her arm and walked back towards her daughter. Once she was in front of her she folded down the bodice of the dress so that Mercedes could see about a 3 inch lacy cutout heart sewn into the fabric of her dress. In the middle of the heart was another smaller heart in blue fabric. Mercedes ran her finger over the addition to her dress and she looked at her mother in confusion.
"Obviously the bigger heart is from the handkerchief but the smaller blue heart is from Sam's shirt. Kurt and I told him what were doing with the handkerchief and he asked if he could be a part of it. The blue fabric comes from one of his dress shirts. He said it was the one he was wearing the first day you two met, so there's your something old and something blue."
"Wow…" Mercedes said shakily as felt tears welling up yet again and she fanned her face to try and prevent them from falling.
"This is so perfect," She finally managed to choke out once the threat of tears finally subsided, "thank you so, so, much Mama."
"It's my pleasure, baby."
Marilyn hung the dress back by the window and she gave her daughter a fierce hug and a kiss on the cheek before pulling away and saying,
"You ready to let the hounds in?"
TWO MONTHS AGO
"Excuse me? EXCUSE ME?!"
"Kurt seriously? You're just screeching now."
"What do you expect me to do? My best friend just told me that she didn't want me to be a part of her wedding."
"That is not what I said and you know it!"
"Well, excuse me for misunderstanding since last I checked I wasn't in the bridal party or the groom's party!"
"If you would let me finish—"
"May I remind you that with the exception of your Mother I have known you longer AND better than anybody else in this wedding party?"
"Kurt—"
"Do I have to remind you that I have been busting my ass for the past two months planning this wedding?"
"No, but—"
"Do I have to remind you that I have gone through more drama with the two of you than ANYBODY else here?"
"Oh for the love of God—"
"DO I?"
Kurt's normally fair skin was now a very blotchy and very unattractive red as his chest heaved impressively at his effort. After five minutes of yelling Mercedes hoped that her friend had gotten it all out of his system and was now ready to hear her explanation.
"Are you done?"
"Maybe." Kurt answered petulantly as he folded his arm and made a big production of falling into his seat.
"If you would have let me finished I would have explained to you how you fit into my wedding. Are you ready to listen or do you want to yell some more?"
"I'm listening."
"Good. Despite what you think I am well aware of how important you are in my life and your place in my wedding reflects that."
"Really? What is more important than being your man of honor? Standing by your side when you marry the love of your life? What has Emma done for you that makes her more suitable for the job than me?"
"One, Emma is my friend. Two, she is the reason Sam and I met in the first place. And three, if it weren't for her Sam wouldn't have found me when he did and who knows where we'd be today."
"So that supersedes everything I've ever done with you? A couple of years of friendship with her means more to you than a lifetime of friendship with me?"
"Don't do that Kurt, you know good and damn well that isn't what I meant!" Mercedes said in a low voice as she tried to control her anger. This was supposed to be a great moment between them as friends but Kurt was ruining it.
"Fine, then what? What do you mean? What role is so important that I should happy that you're sticking me there rather than at your side?"
"I want you to give me away."
It got so quiet in the room Mercedes wouldn't be surprised if she could here a pin drop in the next room. She waited patiently while Kurt stared at her in shock with his mouth wide open.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity Kurt finally spoke.
"You want me to give you away? As in walk you down the aisle and give you away?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why? What do you mean why? Lifetime of friendship remember? Aside from Sam you are the most important man in my life and you have been for years. Standing beside me and holding my flowers and handing me a ring are all important jobs and they mean a lot but they are nothing compared to walking down the aisle with me…at least that's what I thought."
Kurt's already red face turned impossibly redder as tears start trekking quickly down his face. At the sight Mercedes' own eyes filled with tears to the point that she couldn't even see Kurt's face anymore. Seconds later Mercedes felt Kurt's slight frame practically slam into hers and he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"I'm so sorry I'm an asshole."
"Don't worry, I'm used to it," Mercedes joked, "you wouldn't be you if you handled things in a calm and rational manner."
"Ha, ha." Kurt answered as they sat down and cuddled into each other on the couch.
They sat holding each other in a comfortable silence for a few moments before Mercedes finally said, "Sooooo, are you going to answer me or what?"
"Miss Jones, it would be my honor to give you away."
PRESENT DAY
"Awwwwwww…"
The exaggerated 'oohs' and 'awws' had been going on for about five minutes but Mercedes hardly noticed because she was so overwhelmed in the moment.
She stared at herself in the mirror and she hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. Her wedding dress fit her like a glove. She had searched high and low in New York with Kurt and Emma looking for the perfect dress but she never found one that she truly loved. It wasn't until she, Kurt and Emma took a quick weekend trip to Paris that she found what she was looking for. Simply put, the dress was breathtaking. The sweetheart neckline showed off her décolletage and the ruffled organza fit her body like a glove. A wide satin belt across her midsection was held in place by a diamond brooch that matched the clip in her hair and a swath of ruffles flowed from her knees in the mermaid cut dress.
Mercedes turned slightly from side to side and the ruffles swished quietly in response. She did a quick inventory of everything and was happy to find that her makeup was flawless, there wasn't a hair out of place and all of her jewelry was accounted for. She motioned for Kurt to lift her dress and she checked to make sure her new garter was still in place. It was a gift from Kurt, Tina, and Santana and it was her something new. It was a little frilly and a lot racy and it had a small little diamond encrusted 'S' charm hanging from it that she knew Sam would love when he saw it. Before she the dress dropped she took one second to admire her dark purple Louboutins that completed the look.
"So," She asked as she turned to face her wedding party, "what do you think?"
Everybody was speaking at once but she was able to catch, 'stunning', 'beautiful,' 'amazing', and 'Sam won't believe his eyes.'
"Thank you all," She said graciously as she looked at some of the most important people in her lives, "I don't want to cry—again, but I do want to tell all of you how much you mean to me. You've all played some part in me being here today and I will be forever thankful. I love you all."
The chorus of 'awws' started up again and everybody rushed forward to give her hugs and kisses that she happily returned.
Suddenly all sorts of alarms and songs started going off and Mercedes looked around in amused silence as everybody rushed to their phones to stop their alarms from going off. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and it read 5:00 and instead of panic rising inside of her like she always expected a blissful calm fell over her instead.
Kurt rushed around the room handing everyone their bouquets and doing a quick check of hair and make-up. The matron of honor, Emma, and the two bridesmaids, Santana and Tina were all in varying shades of purple. Marilyn was in a light lilac dress and even little Lily got into the action with an adorable fuchsia dress. Angela, Mercedes' new step-sister was an accomplished photographer so she walked around the room snapping pictures at a neck breaking speed as the women and Kurt prepared themselves to head towards where the ceremony was going to be held.
Sam and Mercedes both wanted the wedding to be outside and luckily for them the weather was cooperating. The beginnings of Summer could be felt but it was still enough Spring left in the air to make it comfortable. The wedding party made their way to the French doors and Angela moved around in a flurry getting pictures of them. When she felt she got enough of that particular moment she nodded towards Kurt and he lined them all up. He stepped outside and gave a signal and within seconds a string quartet started up.
Outside a white runner led the way to the altar and it was already covered by a blanket of purple rose petals. On either side were five rows of chairs that were sectioned off by white tulle and purple ribbon and large balls of purple roses were pinned to the end of every other row of chairs.
At the end of the runner stood a tiny gazebo that Mercedes had fallen in love with the first time they had come to view the property. It wasn't big enough for more than four or five people to stand in at one time but Mercedes thought it would be perfect for the wedding. It had been a little worn down looking since some of the paint was peeling but one weekend Sam, Mike, Blaine, Clark, Kenneth and even Kurt came out and slapped on a fresh coat of paint and made a few more repairs to it so now it looked brand new. Currently it was artfully wrapped in an explosion of purple flowers with a string of twinkling lights intertwined throughout. The result was breathtaking and even more beautiful than Mercedes every imagined.
As the women prepared to make their walk down the aisle Mercedes went to her mother who was in front and gave her another quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. Marilyn was making her walk down the aisle with Lilliana in her arms and she was holding tight to her granddaughter as she looked around at all the movement curiously.
"I'm so, so happy for you darling." Her mother whispered, "Words can't express how much seeing you happy means to me."
Mercedes' throat tightened at her mother's words and she gave her another fierce hug and whispering 'I love you' in her ear. She then turned her attention to her baby girl and she gently tugged her little face to hers so that she could drop a kiss on her forehead. Lily's face scrunched up comically before she let out a little giggle that had everyone laughing.
Kurt gently tugged Mercedes away and she moved back so that her mother could make her way down the aisle. Marilyn stepped out of the French doors but she turned back one last time and said, "Goodbye Mercedes Jones," and blew her daughter a kiss before making her way down the aisle.
"Well, shit." Santana choked out before she reached down in her bodice and produced a handkerchief. "I swore to myself I wasn't going to cry at this damn wedding."
Everybody laughed and it eased some of the 'burst into tears' tension that was hanging heavily in the room after Marilyn and Mercedes' emotional good-bye.
Kurt cleared his throat loudly and everybody quickly shuffled back into position. Once Marilyn reached her seat Tina followed, then Santana and lastly Emma. As Kurt and Mercedes stood at they grabbed hands and linked their fingers tightly.
"Are you sure about this?" Kurt whispered, "We still have time for you to hightail it out of here."
Mercedes laughed lightly and brought Kurt's hand up to her lips and kissed it softly.
"Thanks but no thanks, I'm exactly where I want to be."
ONE MONTH AGO
"This little piggy went to the market…this little piggy stayed home…this little piggy had roast beef…this little piggy had none…and this little piggy went "wee, wee, wee" all the way home."
"Wha—" Mercedes murmured sleepily as she heard Sam's voice start in on the nursery rhyme again. Her head popped up from her pillow when she heard tiny little gurgling noises coming from the pillow beside her. She turned over to find her daughter watching her father with rapt attention as he kissed her tiny foot and tweaked her even tinier toes.
"Well look who finally woke up!" Sam exclaimed happily as he leaned over to give her a wet smacking kiss on her cheek, "I was running out of nursery rhymes and Lily does not like it when I repeat."
"Is that right?" Mercedes asked in a husky, sleep-heavy voice as she snuggled into Lily. "Nothing wrong with wanting to be properly entertained, our baby has good taste."
"Hmph," Sam grunted as he laid down on the other side of Lily.
"How long has she been awake?"
"About an hour or so."
"You should have woken me I could have gotten her."
"No, it was fine. I know your body clock is still all messed up from that trip to Paris so I was letting you rest."
"That was really sweet of you…thank you babe."
"My pleasure, besides it gave me a reason to hang with my girl."
Lily kicked hard at that moment and blew a big raspberry which caused her parents to laugh heartily at her quest for attention.
Mercedes twirled one of her light brown curls as she studied her daughter's delicate features. At a little over five months old Lilliana was already showing signs that she was going to be a strikingly beautiful girl, much to Sam's chagrin. A halo of silky brown curly framed a heart shaped face. Her tiny upturned nose was a mirror image of her mother's and her hazel eyes were a mix of both parents even though her eye-shape resembled Mercedes'. The lips were all Sam and Mercedes teased him mercilessly about how his lips genes came along and kicked her lips genes ass and took over.
"So how was Paris?"
"It was great, I found my dress."
"Yeah…do you love it?"
"It's perfect."
"Kurt-approved?"
"Of course, it would be still sitting in the boutique in Paris if it wasn't."
"Can you believe we only have a month left?" Sam asked as he played with Lily's fingers, "Sometimes it feels like we've only just met but then sometimes it feels as if we've known each other forever. It's weird."
"Me and Mama were talking about that on her wedding day. I don't know why but I had this moment where I freaked out about her marrying Kenneth so soon and she made the excellent point that we haven't exactly been in each other's lives for that long either. I don't know, I guess given all we've been through I forget that we've only known each other for about a year."
"It was a hell of an eventful year." Sam laughed, "we went through more in one year than most people go through in a lifetime."
"Hopefully we met our quota and we can have nice and boring from now on."
"I hope so."
The two lay together watching as Lilliana rocked back and forth trying to roll over. They laughed at their daughter's desperate attempts to roll over onto her stomach. Finally Sam took pity on her and helped her over on to her stomach. Lily squealed happily once she was over as Sam and Mercedes clapped excitedly for her.
The excitement proved to be too much for Lily and within a few minutes she was snoozing on the bed between them.
"I want another one." Sam said quietly after a few minutes of watching her sleep.
"Another baby?" Mercedes asked even though she knew the answer.
"Yeah…don't you? I know Lily's birth was terrifying and everything that came after wasn't a walk in the park either but when I see her now, like this, I can barely remember it. I know that's easy for me to say since I was on the outside—"
"No, I get it. I feel the same way, I just thought after you reacted when Lily was born you wouldn't want to risk having another baby."
"I'll admit I wasn't proud of how I handled things after the birth. I freaked out, there is no getting around that. I was convinced that I was losing everything, that I was losing you and I just could not deal. If I had lost you I don't know what I would've done."
A haunted look came over Sam's face and Mercedes reached over and tugged him towards her for a kiss. The shared a few soft, languid kisses before Sam pulled away.
"Um…we got to stop before I get carried away." He said looking pointedly down at their sleeping child. "Maybe I should go put her back in her crib."
"Maybe…but not right now." Mercedes said as she stroked Lily's back. "We should savor this for as long as we can, she's growing like a weed already. Before long she'll be too big to do this with us. I can't wait to see the little person she is going to grow into but at the same time I'm going to miss my sweet little cuddly baby."
"I know what you mean, the idea of her as a teenager scares the living shit out of me. If she is half as beautiful as you are which unfortunately I think she will be—"
"Unfortunately?" Mercedes interrupted him with a laugh.
"There are going to be enough boys sniffing around to drive me insane."
"If Lily is anything like me then you won't have to worry about a bunch of boys. In high school I couldn't get a boy to look at me twice much less chase me."
"Then they were fools." He said matter-of-factly. "You drove me crazy from the minute I laid eyes on you."
"Well that's because we're meant to be."
"Yeah…we're meant to be."
PRESENT DAY
If anybody asked Mercedes what she felt when she walked down the aisle the answer would be simple: blissful.
The actual walk down the aisle itself was a complete blur because all Mercedes could see was Sam. He stood on the gazebo steps and he watched her walk towards him with a wide smile on his face. The black Armani suit he wore looked as if were made for his body and his body alone and he had never looked more gorgeous.
After what seemed like an eternity Mercedes was finally by Sam's side. His smile softened a little bit and he gave her a wink that calmed the butterflies wrecking havoc in her tummy. She felt Kurt squeeze her hand so she forced her eyes away from Sam's and focused them on the preacher.
"Dearly Beloved," He began in a deep and heavy voice, "We are gathered here, in the presence of God and of this company, that Sam Evans and Mercedes Jones may be united in holy matrimony. We are here to celebrate and share in the glorious act that God is about to perform - the act by which He converts their love for one another into the holy and sacred estate of marriage.
This relationship is an honorable and sacred one, established by our Creator for the welfare and happiness of mankind, and approved by the Apostle Paul as honorable among all men. It is designed to unite two sympathies and hopes into one; and it rests upon the mutual confidence and devotion of husband and wife.
May it be in extreme thoughtfulness and reverence, and in dependence upon divine guidance, that you enter now into this holy relationship."
As the preacher spoke the words Mercedes eyes caught Sam's eyes and his green eyes bored into hers. She felt Kurt tighten his arm around hers and she looked down and realized that she was pulling away from him. She gave him a sheepish grin and turned back towards the preacher.
"Being assured that your love and your choice of each other as lifelong companions are in God's will and that you have your families' blessings. I now ask. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"I do," Kurt said in a choked voice, "And her mother."
Mercedes swallowed hard and she looked Kurt. Bright tears were falling from his eyes but he gave her an even brighter smile. He hugged her tightly to him and whispered, "I love you, Mercy. Be happy."
He then gave her another big kiss on her cheek before taking her hand and placing it in Sam's.
"Take care of her," He said quietly to Sam before sitting down next to Marilyn.
Mercedes was worried that her hands were cold and clammy but if Sam noticed he didn't let it show. He continued watching her solemnly and rubbing the back of her hands with his thumbs as the preacher continued on.
"The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love described by Paul.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is says, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
This kind of love enriches each part of life and marriage enriches love. Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone."
"At this time the bride and groom would like to share the vows that they have written to one another. Sam, you may go first."
Sam tightened his grip on Mercedes' hands and his green eyes shone brightly with unshed tears.
"Mercedes…" He started but stopped for a second to clear the huskiness from his throat.
"Mercedes," He began again in a strong and clear voice, "I love you. Before I met you I was lost and I didn't even know it. Ever since I lost my mother I have been searching for something, I needed something and I didn't realize what it was until I met you. You give me peace. Losing my mother robbed me of my sense of peace but you gave it back to me. You center me but at the same time you move me. Sometimes it feels as if my life didn't truly begin until I met you. You are the love of my life and I thank God every day that he brought you into my life. You are my everything."
"Damn it." Mercedes heard Santana whisper behind her and she glanced back again to find her friend reaching into her bodice for her handkerchief. The sight of it brought a smile to her face and it calmed her enough to squeeze her own words out past the knot in her throat.
"Sam…you're everything I never knew I wanted. When I met you I was a mess, I was in a rut and frankly I had no intention of getting out of it. I was comfortable but I was also stagnant. I wanted a change but I was too afraid to change—but then I met you. You snatched me out of my comfort zone so quickly that you had my head spinning. I wasn't expecting you…you were not a part of my plan. Sometimes it feels as if we've been to hell and back but there isn't anyone on the face of the planet I would rather take that journey with. You saved me. Loving you, as scary as it could be sometimes saved me from myself. Loving you made me a stronger woman. Loving you made me face my demons. Loving you helped me to learn to love myself. You were never a part of my plan but I thank God every day you ended up in my life anyway, I can't imagine it now without you in it. I love you so much."
A tear slowly rolled down Mercedes cheek and Sam reached up and brushed it away with his index finger before running his thumb lightly over her lips.
The preacher cleared his throat loudly bringing the two of them out of their moment as he announced that it was no time to exchange the rings. Mercedes turned back to her friends to find them all staring back at her with blotchy tearstained faces. Emma fumbled with the bouquets a bit but she was finally able to hand Mercedes her ring without dropping anything. When Mercedes turned back to Sam she found him staring at her expectedly with his ring already ready to be placed on her finger.
"It is a Christian custom to exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end so your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this moment and the endless love you promised."
"Sam, what token do you give that you will perform your vows?"
Sam lifts the ring to show the preacher.
"Mercedes, do you receive this ring in token of the same?"
"I do."
At those words Sam gingerly lifted Mercedes' hand in his and with slightly trembling fingers he slid the ring on.
"Mercedes, this ringI give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love."
The preacher then turned to Mercedes and recited the words he said to Sam just moments earlier.
"Mercedes, what token do you give that you will perform your vows?"
She then lifts Sam's wedding band for the preacher to see.
"Sam, do you receive this ring in token of the same?"
"I do." He answered huskily.
Mercedes then took his hand and with trembling fingers of her own slid the thick band onto his left ring finger.
"Sam, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love."
The preacher than led them in a prayer asking God to give them grace and guidance as they went through the journey of life together as one. Once the prayer was done the preacher went on to conclude the ceremony.
"What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Sam and Mercedes have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore, by the authority of the state of New York, pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
"You may now kiss the bride."
At that a slow smile crossed Sam's face and he brought his left hand up to Mercedes' face. She felt the cold metal of his wedding band pressing against her skin and it brought a smile to her face. He leaned down and a second before his lips touched hers she felt rather than heard him whisper against her lips, "Hello, Mrs. Evans."
A/N: Sorry for the ridiculously long wait, I hope it was worth it. ;-) Instead of putting the wedding, reception and honeymoon all in one chapter I decided to split it up but the good news is I'm halfway done with the next chapter so it will hopefully be up next week.