THURSDAY
"You waited" she said as she approached him
"Yeah why wouldn't I?"
"I looked for you in my break and I didn't find you so I assumed you'd gone" she lied taking care not to look at him when she spoke
"Oh some woman old enough to be my Mom, I'm exaggerating, was trying to come on to me I played with her for a while but got away as soon as I could and then I went to see my friend round back to talk about you"
"About me?"
"Yeah you're my biggest subject at the minutes I think I've got a bit of a fatal attraction thing going on but don't worry I'm harmless" he said laughing as he put her jacket around her arms "What are we going to discuss tonight cos if you're anything like me you've just started buzzing" he said
"We'll see" she said getting into his car while he stood opening the door for her, waiting until she was in before shutting it before getting in himself
"Gentleman skills Sam, I'm impressed" she said making him smile as he buckled up "I'll make the hot chocolate, you choose the film"
"I don't think you'll like my choice of film but I'll have a go" So they got to the house and went about doing their allocated tasks "You are so going to be bored with my choice" he said laughing
"That's not allowed I have to suck it up, just like you'll have to suck up my choice on my day" she shouted from the kitchen
Five minutes later Mercy walked into the living room with a tray with hot drinks, cookies and snacks for the past midnight movie. Sam sat slouched on the sofa looking totally fuckable and Mercy took time to divert her eyes from his man parts. "I won't be long I'm just going to get into some sweats" she said putting the tray down on the coffee table and heading towards her bedroom
"Good idea" he said getting up and going towards his room, "it's best to be comfortable"
Less than 4 minutes later he came out with just trackie bottoms on, showing his eight pack and bulging biceps, she came out in a jump suit and gasped at the sight of him sitting topless on the couch fit as fuck "You're teasing me Sam" she said looking at him in the eye
"I am but I want to be comfortable too, come sit down let's get this movie started" he said waiting for her to sit before pressing play on the player
"Avatar" she said jumping up "my favourite movie is this the special edition?"
"No" he answered questioningly
"I've got the special edition in my room, it's got play back, scene freeze, extras and everything do you want to see it"
"Mercy you are kidding girls don't buy Avatar"
"This girl does" she said jumping off the sofa and emerging a minute later with a special edition copy of Avatar in her hand "Pop it in then" she said handing it to him who did as he was told as she sat in the middle of the sofa, he saw the opportunity and sat right next to her with every little room for air between them.
"Here we go again" he said pressing the play button as they took their hot drinks and cookie in hand
They sat through the three hour movie without shutting their eyes once and had discussions, pausing the film, about how things would have gone had they written the script and extra ammunition, speaking the Avatar language and how they could communicate using it and even had the same favourite word 'Txe'lan' which meant heart.
"Its daylight, we have to be in work in like three hours is it worth going to bed?" he asked
"I've got to get some sleep even if it's just an hour's power nap"
"You go ahead I'm going to stay right here" he said "Wake me if I'm sleeping will you"
"Will do" she told him as she went towards her room "Good morning" she said laughing
"That suggests we spent the night together" he said laughing "Good Morning" he said putting his face into the cushion "frustrated is not the fucking word" he muttered as she shut the door
Mercy got in her room sat on her bed and silent screamed "I want you so much right now I'm going to cry"
"Why don't we just get it on" they both thought at the same time,
By the time he caught himself he was standing at her door ready to knock it and she was standing with her hand on the handle ready to take the plunge and open it, they both reacted and the same time and as his knock went to hit the door she pulled it open
"Sam" she said "Mercy" he said and they fell into a lust filled kiss, before checking themselves, pulling away for those few seconds enough to know that they both wanted more, they went back in for a longer kiss, getting deeper and more urgent by the second, strangely it was him that pulled away .
"I don't know what this is saying, well I do, but I'm not willing to go any further with this right now Mercy I heard what you said about waiting"
"I'm glad you're being the strong one right now because seriously, I don't trust myself around you, you do something to me that makes me just want to make love to you all the time, but I won't you're not good for me and deep down I think I know that but you're right for me I'm having a hard time understanding why that is, maybe I need to change or the other way round, I don't know but I do want you to kiss me again" she said closing her eyes in anticipation of his kiss which he delivered slowly and passionately. This time he took time to look at her lips plump and longing, feel her lip as he sucked it into his mouth before using his tongue to sweep her lips apart requesting entry she immediately introduced her tongue to his mouth and danced around in it until he grabbed it with his lips, they kissed until only their lips were comfortable, eventually moving to the couch
They sat there talking about life, relationships, loves, hates, him going to see his parents, to his surprise he agreed to go but only if she came with him as his girlfriend
"I don't know Sam you haven't seen them in years then you turn up with a black girlfriend isn't that going to be too much?"
"It's going to be who I am now and they can accept or reject it but I'm going to try"
"If you think its best, I'll come, for you" she smiled "Let's get dressed and go to work it's much too late to sleep"
"Okay, but I really don't want to get up, I feel at home here like this"
"Me too is that weird?" she asked "Bigga would kick our butts" she said laughing
"Maybe mine, okay we have tonight to get back in our cocoon let's get dressed and go" he said attempting to get up from the couch but she pulled him back by his jogging bottoms
"I need to be on those lips Mr. I'm going to be thinking about them all day" she said dragging him closer for a kiss which he fell into for what seemed like forever
"I got to write a song" he said when they stopped kissing
"What now, today?"
"Yep and it's about you"
"Make sure I hear it then won't you? today you say?"
"Yep"
"Okay" she said getting up to follow him passing by her room to grab her things for her morning ritual, they both got to the bathroom at the same time "After you" she said "It's your bathroom"
"Ladies first" he said stepping back to allow her access
"Okay but you're first tomorrow" she said walking into the bathroom
They were both ready within the hour and eating toast as they went through the door "We haven't slept and we're still having breakfast on the run" he laughed
They got to the studio and dare not show any emotion for fear of repercussions from Bigga so they just said a humble bye and parted company. They spent another day apart with the hope of getting just a glimpse of each other at some point during the working day. At 4pm Bigga called time "That's it Amber you can have the rest of the day"
"Thanks but I don't know anybody to have the rest of the day with"
"What's Sam doing let him show you round before your gig tonight"
"He said something about writing a new song so I guess he'll be a while"
"Not usually he has his hits sorted overnight" Bigga said as they left their recording room and made their way to the studio he was in. When they got there he was still panning out the last bits of the song "You're doing a new song I hear can we hear it yet? Bigga asked, Sam look up from the music sheet he was engrossed in
"Nearly there Biggs" he said
"Enough to give us a bar?"
"I can give it you all just need the drums to get the incidental beat down and we're good" he said
"Let's hear it then" he said looking at the band while Sam sneaked a look at Mercy, smiling
"He's a slave driver told you didn't I, for you" he said, his eyes dancing between the two of them "Anything; hit it" and the music started and he started singing "Won't Walk Away' by Lemar a different kind of grove to what everyone was used to hearing from him smooth with feeling
"Wow that was great and in one day I'm impressed Mr. Evans" Mercy said
"Yeah I like that mood on you Sam; inspired by?" Bigga asked
"Your jam we did at the club I loved the feel of it and it was relaxing you know" he said looking directly at Bigga as he spoke, but his smile was for Mercy's buzz
"Amber you must work with him, get a song done, soon too" Bigga said
"I will Biggs I will, he's got some good stuff and in a day" she said smiling at Sam
"I'm glad that's a wrap I need you to show Amber here the town she's got some time before her show tonight and she needs to get out but the same rules still apply" Bigga warned him
"I'm sure we both understand those rules Biggs, we're like almost room mates" Sam said forgetting himself
"Room mates?" Bigga asked
"Yeah my spare room is no longer spare she rents it from me, she gets a body guard, home and it's cheap, we couldn't find anything better" he said getting red faced
"Are you okay there? I mean you're not being taken advantage of are you?" he said looking at Sam as he spoke
"Hell no Sam isn't like that" she said disgusted with Bigga accusation "If he was I'd have to ask why you let me stay there that first night?"
"You're right silly question Amber forgive me" Bigga said holding her shoulder, Sam felt a ting of something watching Bigga's hand on her shoulder but had to bite his tongue, she saw his face and moved from Bigga grip across to him grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the studio.
"What was that face for?" she asked when they were in the car
"He put his hand on you and I think I felt jealousy, would you believe, it was weird but I wanted to deck him" he laughed
"I saw it I even felt it, it was weird I just knew I had to get you out of there fast, what's happening with us Sam we're a bit too connected, don't you think?"
"I don't know but I'm not scared about it, I'm just running with it"
"That's my phone" she said grabbing for her bag "It's Bigga" she said before flipping it open "Hi boss what can I do for you?" "That might work well but I'd have to see if he's doing anything first hold up"
"Sam are you busy this weekend?"
"No why?"
"Hold up let me finish this call and I'll fill you in, that's fine Biggs, Monday then bye"
"Monday how did you get tomorrow to Sunday off I'm so jealous"
"You're jealous of yourself now, this is getting worrying"
"Why myself?"
"Because you're off too, and I was thinking the perfect time for a little trip"
"Parent trap" he laughed "So you're ready for Dallas then?"
"I'm supporting you Sam are you ready?"
"Let's stop off home and book the tickets, throw some things in a bag and then we can go straight after the show before I change my mind"
"It's a plan" she said "What school did you go to?"
"I went to loads but the one that really impacted on my life was McKinley High in Ohio I joined the Glee Club there and had the time of my life and made some good friends but it's been a while since I saw any of them everyone is all over the world now but, Blaine's my life long friend in Texas and Mike's my best friend here in LA, I was talking to him about you at the club the other night, remember I told you about that?"
"Yes you did; any girlfriends coming out the woodwork at me?"
"Not many that will have a good word to say about me with my track record and against you I'm a bit of a slut but I've always practised safe sex no babies dotted around I've slept with about 4 girls in Dallas but I'm sure they'll turn it into 444 with their wish list activity, but I've kissed a lot"
"Anything else"
"Well I've never gone down on a girl, so if any of them say that they are lying and I rarely kiss the girls I sleep with on the lips, I think I remember kissing Tina Chang once but we ended up feeling like siblings"
"Tina Chang?"
"Yeah Mike's wife, we went to school together, they weren't together then obviously"
"Right you start packing, I'll make the reservations and get myself sorted, then we're off site seeing after I call my parents, still undecided" he said jumping out the car to open the other side for her. They got in the door and he swung her round giving her the biggest kiss "I've been wanting to do that all day" he said when he came up for air only to be dragged back in by her
"I've needed that since this morning too" she said when she finally let him go
"Sightseeing"
"Shitting right?" she asked knowing how they were feeling
"No I'm not, sightseeing after booking our flights" he said making her stop attempting to kiss him again in mid flow
"You're right" she said stepping away from him, he needed all his strength to not pull her back to him and go for gold
"This is so fucking hard" he said
"Yeah" Mercy said walking away and laughing her actions making him pick a cushion up and throw it at her
So she went and showered and changed her clothes while he booked the plane tickets and packed his clothes and then had his shower but, before leaving the flat they had another make out session in which he made several attempts to cop a feel of her boobs but she blocked his attempts and eventually he gave up and had his last kiss.
"Come on we haven't left much time for sightseeing"
"I'm going to see Texas in the morning I think we can be forgiven for not seeing LA by night, I mean I work in a night club Sam"
"I know" he laughed
"Will you sing for me tonight?"
"Bad move Biggs would have my nuts, but I can when we get to Texas"
"Why is that?"
"My contract says not to sing in Bars and Clubs in LA except ones I'm signed up to or at his request, I asked to sing a sorry song to the girls the other day and he said no"
"Poor Sam; we'll sing in Texas then" she said giving him her puppy eyes
"We will" he said as they got in his car to get to the venue. Pulling up at the back stage door 10 minutes later "Good luck on the ice Mercy I'll be waiting" he said as he escorted her to the back door, watched her walk up the corridor and then he went round the front to get into the club himself. He sat at the table front and centre to the stage waiting for her to perform and was determined not to move tonight as he always seemed to attract trouble when he ventured out
"Hi Sam" he heard from behind him just as Mercy looked around the curtain at him, his face changed and so did hers, she was mad and he was irritated
"Hi Ladies what can I do for you?"
"A drink would be nice" Santana replied "For old time sake"
"Vodka dirty please" Rachel said, Sam rolled his eyes at the fact that she'd actually teamed up with the others
"Yeah we all want shots" Quinn said looking mysterious
"Four shots coming up" he said getting up to go to the bar as they all sat at his table without being invited
Mercy was looking on thinking when in hells name is he going to tell them to fuck off when she saw him coming back with drinks and handing them out "No messing tonight ladies, and I brought you those to show there's no hard feelings" he said nodding at the drinks he'd just set on the table
"We're singing tonight Sam, and it's to you" Rachel said getting up and heading towards the stage as the others followed her
Sam slyly looked in Mercy's direction not wanting to draw their attention to her, she was pissed
"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen a treat for you tonight we're singing a song just one and it's to Sam I am because we want him to know that however we get him that's alright with us" Rachel said "start the music" she shouted as Santana, Quinn and Brittany ran to the stage. Quinn started singing 'Touch' by Little Mix' as the others took their turn in the song and Rachel finished the song. Even Mercy had to admit they sounded alright together it was clear they had practised the song, but those sluts were wrong to back up on her man like that and she was pissed.
"Are you all shitting me?" Sam asked holding his hands up in front of him when they came off the stage to hug him "No fucking way, I told you all that I'd finished with that life and I'd finished with you it's not going to happen just leave me alone, and for the record, no I don't feel the same way" he said angrily, getting up and walking away in a familiar direction, Mercy knew exactly where he was going. It took her nearly fifteen minutes to calm down enough to go on stage and as she got to the centre she saw Sam re-entering the room, giving her a smile, he's over it, but I'm just getting fucking starting she thought returning his smile.
The girls were all still sitting at the table waiting for him to get back unwilling to accept his truth, Mercy was getting pissed and wanted to scream at them to leave him alone 'this calls for bitch moves' she thought as she settled in on the stage "This is for a special someone, who may need me to say the words" she said as the music started "listen to the words, Jane, Unique back me up please" she said looking directly at Sam as the music started and she started to sing her version of "It All Belongs To Me" by Monica & Brandy (Adapted) flashing her words at the girls as they sat staring at Sam dough eyed, Sam was listening and looking at her
Loving you is hard, I feel like I'm about to hurt myself, and I don't wanna do it baby, I'm loving you so hard and the way they act ain't been no help no no no no sugar (yeah, you got it sweet don't you). You must be blind, you must be dumb, you must be tripping, you must be crazy (you must be out your damn mind) To think that I'm ma let him off that easy, I know you're mad, can't take no more, but put him back, coz he ain't yours, have a fit, slam the door, but leave that man at the door, that man belongs to me. Those clothes, those cars, those rings, yeah, that mac book, that shit belongs to me, so log him off your face book coz he belongs to me
(turn the lights on)
All you do is talk, never knew you to do nothing else, you ain't good for nothing' ladies, It's like you got no heart, cold as ice, and nothing can make you melt, no no no lady, hold on one minute ladies. You must be blind, you must be dumb, you must be tripping, you must be crazy, to think that I'm ma let him off that easy. I know you're mad, can't take no more, but put him back, coz he ain't yours, have a fit, slam the door but leave that man at the door, that man belongs to me. Those clothes, those cars, those rings, and that mac book, that shit belongs to me, so log him off your face book coz he belongs to me
Ain't nothing leaving my house, unless it's over my dead body lady, so pack up all that lust you came with, cause loving you? There ain't no danger. I know you're mad, can't take no more, but put him back, he ain't yours, have a fit, slam the door but leave that man at the door, that man belongs to me. Those clothes, those cars, those rings, and that mac book, that shit belongs to me, so log him off your facebook coz he belongs to me, to me,
Coz he belongs to me, to me, coz he belongs to me, to me, all belongs to me
"That was the shit" Sam said moving forward before he remembered that the four ugly sisters were on the front row. Mercy beaconed him to come up on stage, he did and hugged her
"And for the record" she looked at the four ladies saying "This man belongs to me" she announced, Sam looked at her for a while, taking in what she'd just said before going in to kiss her
"Fuck he kissed her" Santana said "he's never kissed me let alone in company"
"Me either" Quinn said
"I don't remember a time he's kissed me on the lips like… that" Brittany said still looking at them on stage kissing
"Don't look at me I couldn't get him into bed half the time, I had pecks on the cheek after I'd bug him" Rachel told them
"This bitch is a threat" Santana said
"Girl you know Sam she ain't no threat, I remember seeing her sitting in the bar the day we found out about each other and she was just sitting there nursing a drink and sucking it all in so she knows what he's like. If she wants to get bitten that is sure as shit up to her good luck to her I say, I mean I wouldn't have minded going back there, he's a good lay, but if he's settled now what's the point?" Brittany concluded
"So that's it, end of fight?" Quinn asked
"End of for me" Santana said as Brittany echoed her response
They finally came up for air, giving Mercy time to say "Ladies I mean it, this man belongs to me and if we have to have this conversation again it's gonna be explosive" she warned, they just looked at each other not saying anything
FRIDAY
Sam sat at the same table as the ugly sisters for the rest of the night buying them drinks and talking until Mercy finished her act, introduced her to them as his girlfriend, had a drink, then they went to the airport as planned.
"Why did you choose to out us tonight?" he asked as they got in the car
"Jealousy I think them being all over you and I just wanted to warn them off so I did, problem"
"Not at all super sexy Miss Jones but now you've broached the subject will you be my girlfriend?"
"Wow I think I'm in love with you Sam Evans because I'd be honoured to be your girlfriend, does that mean other half? Hold up is this a one on one relationship or is it open?"
"Fully one on one Mercy I'm not messing about this" he said wiggling his index finger between them "is not a joke" he said as they pulled up at the airport
"I'm not taking it as a joke Sam I know how hard that was for you and I'm happy really but, I genuinely want to know if you're serious about this or am I the start of another game"
"I'm scared shitless if you must know but I also know I've never, and I mean never, needed anything or anyone as much as I need you in my life and the way I'm feeling about you I don't have room for anything or anyone else, this thing is getting bigger for me" he said as he put the bags through at the check in and took her hand as they went to the nearby café for drinks
"I know that feeling boyfriend, but; just so you know, I'm still a no sex before marriage person so can you deal with that?"
"I'm not into the waiting game so you better be ready for things to start moving fast between us and I mean the legal important stuff, I'm that serious"
"Wow at that rate we'll be married within the week" she laughed
"You laugh" he said sobering her up
"That's our flight they just called" he said getting up and picking up his holdall and hers "Meeting the parents" he said grabbing her hand and heading towards the plane. The flight took three hours, they slept on the flight and were even more tired when they landed
Texas
"Sorry Mercy but everyone's just started getting up at the ranch for feeding and everything I'm not sure how much sleep you'll get but we'll definitely get breakfast"
"I'm too excited to think about sleep Sam you're making it up with your Dad and promise no sleep until you've at least tried to do that?"
"I promise" he said kissing her on the forehead, before jumping into a waiting taxi "it's about a 20 minute ride" he informed her pulling her closer to him till she was almost on his lap "I can't be close enough to you, don't get letting go of me when we get there will you I need you close"
"Nervous Sammy" she said pushing out her bottom lip and making him laugh
"Fuck I'm turned on by that begging face you just dropped on me Mercy" he said nervously "And the way you say Sammy sounds sexy as hell making my man parts move don't do that too often"
"I'm supposed to do that to you I'm your girlfriend" she said smiling, he kissed her and smiled back
"Okay here we are just coming into the Ranch" he said
"Where's the house?" she asked looking ahead
"About a mile and a half in"
"How big is this Ranch?"
"One of the bigger ones around about 275 acres"
"Fuck Sam your family are rich you didn't tell me that"
"It's not important and their still just people, I'm richer I got you" he said hugging her in "don't take no shit from them Mercy. I know I promised you I'd try hard, but if they attack you sorry we are out of there I'm not having it"
"I can handle myself Sam, the aim is to get your relationship with your Dad back on track and see your Mom, never mind how they treat me this is important, I'm used to it"
"You should never get used to being treated badly and while you're with me it's not acceptable I don't care who it is"
"Wow Sam it's a fucking mansion" she sat up saying as the house came into view, they passed the tree lined avenue and rounded the corner to reveal a stunning white building with double front doors and about 20 windows on the front and a separate building which looked like a garage to the left side of the building
"It's okay a bit dated now I'll have to fix it up when they've gone"
"Where are they going?"
"Passed on like"
"How frigging morbid what are you thinking like that for?" she pulled away form him asking
"Oh I'm an only child" he said jumping out of the car and walking round to open the door for her to get out while paying the taxi man and getting him to bring the bags to the door.
Sam left the bags on the step and opened the door "Morning" he shouted through the house dragging Mercy with him obviously excited to see his Mother "Where is everyone?" he shouted again to see his Mother come running out of the kitchen
"Samuel is that you? Oh my God I don't believe it my prayers have been answered I'm going to ask but I don't want to, what are you doing here?" she said hugging him so tightly he wasn't able to answer her, when she let go she started searching him "Are you okay? Your skin and bone boy, come get some breakfast" she said before stopping sharply having seen Mercy "hello" she said to Mercy then looked at Sam "this is?"
"Mercy Mom this is Mercy my girlfriend"
"Pleased to meet you Mrs. Evans" Mercy said putting her hand out to shake
"I guarantee you're responsible for him being here thank you" she said hugging a shocked Mercy "And the name is Rose Mrs. Evans is my mother-in-law come on in" she said leading them to the kitchen
"Where's Dad" he asked
"One of the cows are birthing he's been down there all night I'm expecting him soon or that Cow's in trouble, he'll be glad to see you"
"Will he?"
"Sam you're his only child of course he'll be pleased to see you, it's whether the two of you are going to be stubborn enough not to show it is the question" he looked at Mercy, pushing that bottom lip out again making him laugh
"Breakfast will be ready in five" Rose said as Mercy and Sam took their coats off and sat at the kitchen table watching his Mom while Sam asked questions about old faces and animals just catching up. As said within fifteen minutes the breakfast was in front of them, they were tucking in when the back door opened
"She had a tough time but we got the little bugger out in time" his Dad said with his back to the room forcing his boots off to leave outside using the step and shutting the door. Sam stopped eating and looked up waiting for the initial reaction
"Sam is the breakfast alright?" his Mom asked
"I haven't had it yet woman" his Dad turned round saying when he realised she was talking to Sam the son "Sam my boy good to see you" he said going towards him with outstretched arms, Sam got up and leaned into his hug "this is long awaited I want to apologise son for whatever it was that I did not having you in my life is shit hard I want to make it up to you whatever it takes I'll do it"
"It wasn't you Dad" he said "We'll talk after, all of us" he said sitting back down and holding Mercy's hand again
"And who's this nugget of gold, she's a looker SJ"
"You're going to have to use Sam now Dad because I don't use SJ any more, this is Mercy my girlfriend"
"Pleased to meet you Mercy, do you mind Sam?" he asked and Sam nodded an okay before his Dad gave Mercy a kiss on the cheek "Welcome to the family, she's a keeper Sam"
"Thank you Mr. Evans and hello" she smiled
"Please call me Samuel a bit difficult with the two of us in the house or Dad whichever you feel comfortable with, I know Sam's serious about you you're here" he said sitting at the table as his breakfast arrived and he tucked in "excuse me while I eat been up all night" "So Sam you're still singing, we have all your records, I think you've lost the country music bug but I like your stuff and the fact that you write it all is amazing I'm proud of you son"
"Thanks Dad"
"Hurry up Sammy I want to hear Sam's news" Rose said
"I'm going as fast as I can and stop with the Sammy shit you know what you're doing" he said looking at her lustfully, making Sam and Mercy smile at each other "You get that too son?"
"Yeah I do Dad only I just found out about it"
"Killer said by the right woman ah" he said and they both laughed, so when he finished eating Rose was the one to encourage the conversation
"Come on Sam spit it out what's kept you away from my arms for nearly what 8 years?" she asked
"Dad you're going to have to use your first name this is getting confusing for me" Sam said
"Okay my real first name is Dan" he told Mercy laughing "I call myself Sam, my middle name, because I missed the bugger so much"
"Well the reason I've been away and treated you all the way I did was Mrs. Jennings" he said and waited for their reaction
"Penny?" Rose said quizzically at first and then she had a face of disbelief "Sam you are not saying what I think you're saying" Rose said with her hands over her mouth "Are you that child's father?"
"What? What child? No way, No way, what a child I was raped and it produced a child?" he said
"Raped….. By Penny, No fucking way that fucking bitch, that fucking bitch" Dan got up saying pacing around the kitchen "I want to dig the bitch up and kill her again, correction I need to dig that bitch up and kill her again" "Sam I got to get out of here for a while I'm gonna to do some damage" he said leaving the house
"Come back, please don't do anything stupid come back" Rose shouted after him but he was in no mood to listen
Mercy held onto Sam's hand tight refusing to let it go just in case he decided to leave too "Mercy I need to go after him he's going to do something stupid and Mom's on her own, you got a car Mom" he asked
"You have, your dad brought it about 3 years ago it's in the garage" she said "Some jeep looking thing"
"Sam should I stay here?" Mercy said letting him go
"No, come on we need to go, Mom come on we need to find Dad"
"Where's she buried?" he asked
"Gladstone near the Lake" she replied jumping in the car on the passenger side and Mercy got in the back "Mercy where are .." Sam turned to see Mercy getting in the back and decided not to question it he just smiled and got in the driving seat and sped off towards the Lake. When they got there Rose jumped out of the car before it stopped and started running towards the grave stones in the distance, Sam stopped the car looked at Mercy and got out the car "You okay?" he asked, she nodded before he ran off after his Mom
"Mom we need to slow down Dad won't dig that grave up but he might hurt himself I shouldn't have said anything I'm sorry" he said when he caught up to her
"You should have said something years ago Sam I always knew there was something about that bitch, I want to kill her, I don't know about your Dad"
"At this point it's not even about her any more if she's dead"
"Let's just find your Dad and get him back home and then we can talk this through"
"Dan!" Rose shouted across the graveyard
"Over here" she heard back and went running over to where the noise came from
"Dan I hope you're not really digging that bitch up we'll be in trouble" Rose said moving towards him
"I'm not I got here and thought she can't die twice, can she, unless she came back the first time like minutes after"
"SJ I'm really sorry that happened to you if I could turn back time I would. Now you've said it, I can see all the signs your misbehaviour, rebellion, our fading relationship and you leaving were all elements of you telling me something was wrong and, although I suspected it, I chose not to ask that question and carry on as usual. I swear I never thought it was Penny, I sacked a load of ranch hands thinking it was them you know" Dan said
"Let's go home Dad I've left Mercy in the car and I promised I wouldn't leave her" he said
"She means a lot to you doesn't she?" Dan asked
"Yes Dad she does and it happened really quick; you know?"
"I know it was like that for your mother and me, Rose will you go sit with Mercy while Sam and I have a chat please?" he asked
"Don't be long it gets creepy out here" she said walking back towards the car, as Dan turned back to Sam and started talking
"I can only say it was like a bolt of lightning when we met and from that first moment I knew I had to have her above all others. I was actually seeing a girl when I first saw your Mom and I told her that evening I didn't love her and we needed to split. Until I saw your Mom mind I thought I did love that other girl"
"God Dad I thought I was just lusting at first but I'm in love from that first day I don't know how to tell her I don't want to scare her off or anything but I could marry her today"
"I've been there son, and as God would have it she's a virgin isn't she?"
"How do you know?"
"It's like history repeating itself Son, you will marry her and nothing will keep you apart so don't sweat it"
"Nothing"
"Well babies might try at first but other than that nothing"
"I can't even lie to her Dad, that just doesn't happen to me, I lie all the time it's a trade mark but, I can't to her I don't understand why, and the strangest thing is I don't want to lie to her"
"She'd know anyway son she's your soul mate, your other half, your heart suck it up and count yourself lucky to have found her some search their whole life, and never do"
"Let's get back coz she'll be stressing"
"We will get back because we need to talk" Dan said getting up "But son if she's who you think she is they'll be peeved that we interrupted them by coming back so quick so watch for it and that's a good sign believe me"
They got back to the car to find Mercy and Rose deep in conversation "What you two find to talk about" Sam asked
"Hush your mouth boy we're talking woman talk" His Mom said as his Dad jumped in his own jeep "SJ come sit in the front with me" his Mom said sitting at the wheel, putting Sam's nose out of joint as he wanted to sit with Mercy but, he did it anyway.
There was a little small talk all the way back home and Sam seemed fidgety and kept looking in the mirror at Mercy all the way. "What?" Mercy mouthed one of the times when she caught him yet again looking at her through the front mirror, he just put his eyes down. Mercy started paying more attention to the conversation Sam was having with his Mom after that and she heard a lot of names being mentioned but nothing to be alarmed about or so she thought. The car stopped outside the front door just like the taxi had a short while ago and everyone got out, Dan arrived at the same time
"Son can we have that chat now please we have the Charles' party later tonight and we need to make an appearance you know how the neighbours are" his Dad said while letting his Mom out of the car and Sam was on the other side doing the same for Mercy as they spoke.
Sam grabbed Mercy's hand and squeezed it before replying to his Dad "Yep that's possible but, what time are you going to the Charles'?"
"Just having this conversation then getting dressed and off"
"Okay" Sam said turning to Mercy to ask "Do you want to go or are you tired?"
"Oh we already discussed that we're going to do something special with my hair and then we'll be dressed and waiting by the time you finish your chat and then we'll be off" Rose said
"Mom I was hoping.." Sam said
"Stop it Sam you're far too attached to Mercy let her out sometimes" his Mom came back with, Sam rolled his eyes but didn't answer back remembering Mercy's saying; you know the man by how he treats his parents or something.
Sam and his Dad sat down to have their conversation and Mercy and Rose went upstairs as she'd said about an hour or so later Sam and his Dad where hugging and Mercy and Rose were still nowhere to be seen "don't even mention time to them Sam just take my word for it"
About twenty minutes later they descended looking everything they were beauty at its best "You look fantastic" Sam said to Mercy "Beautiful" was all Dan could say "We've worked the dates out and the baby isn't Sam's not a chance in hell he'd well gone by conception dates" Dan said and everyone breathed in relief.
"Come on get upstairs and get dressed I don't want to be sitting around for too long getting all crushed and everything" Rose said and the men ran off upstairs, within 30 minutes they were both downstairs ready to go looking dapper"
"Ain't we a handsome, beautiful bunch of people?" Rose smiled
"Damn straight" Mercy said making everyone laugh
"You stick with me tonight Hun" Rose said to Mercy, Sam wasn't happy as they walked out to the car and this time the men sat up front and the ladies in the back
"Mercy we need to talk" Sam said once the car started up and got off the grounds
"You got all tomorrow to talk Hun can I have her tonight?" Rose said
"It's important Mom" Sam said
"You're not at work or anything so it can't be that important leave it till tomorrow son let's just enjoy tonight yeah?"
"I think that's the point Mom" Sam said almost under his breath
Rose's mobile rang, it was Carol Charles the host for the party "Hi Carol, yes we're on our way now, yes but Sam came over and, yes he's coming too and, yes we are, as I , yes we will, Carol, Carol, she's gone" Rose said shutting the phone off
Minutes later they were sitting outside the Charles residence and the party was in full swing "Mercy I need …"
"Sam I said leave her alone" Rose said pulling Mercy to her "Come on Mercy lets go party" and they left Sam standing at the car with his Dad while they went off into the house
"Dad all kinds of shit is going to hit the fan when Mercy meets up with those girls I dated. I need to at least tell her it's going to happen and, Mom won't let me, it's not fair her going in unarmed like that"
"If she's worth protecting your Mom will do it son leave the ladies to do what they do best" his Dad said
"What's that?" Sam asked
"Bitch" his Dad replied "Just know you have her back, whatever happens and, nobody gets to hit them so just watch out for them" he said following them into the house
"Sam" a group of girls swooned as he walked in
"Ladies" he said looking at no one in particular and carried on walking with his Dad looking for Mercy as he walked, she turned with the commotion and smiled at him
"Sam hi" another one came into his space to say "Remember me Josie Richards" she said "5th grade onwards
"Hi Josie, hell you've grown up how are you?"
"Fine can we get a dance later on for old time sake?"
"No I'm here with my girlfriend"
"Yeah right you don't have girlfriends and remember you promised Diane Green you'd marry her if you ever decided to get married"
"Diane Green?" Sam said puzzled
"Yeah her with the deep blue eyes I think anyway she hasn't been here for a while and then Jayne, Ruth, Julie, Sarah, Dion, Debbie" too many to count of your ex's are over there all waiting to say hi"
"Oh" Sam said thinking Fuck "I need to find my girlfriend" Sam said looking around the venue with no joy, and panic started to set in for him, his dad saw it
"Calm down son let them do their worst your Mom will handle it, and Mercy looks like a fighter too" he said as Sam carried on scanning the room for Mercy
Sam's panic got the better of him and he moved away from his Dad and non-stop talking Josie and into the crowd, only to find Mercy and his Mom standing in a crowd of ladies laughing and hugging each other "I need to speak to her" he said to himself
"Oh Baptism by fire Sam, your Mom is introducing Mercy to all you old haunts" Josie said rushing past him to get to the group. Sam didn't know what to do he didn't want them all over him in front of Mercy but he didn't want them to think he had feelings for them and some of the girls if he remembered had no girl code. He stood there in his dilemma until his Mom called him over
"Hi, there you are" he said going up to Mercy and hugging her and kissing her forehead before looking into her eyes and kissing her on the lips "I missed you" there was a brief silence before Diane came forward
"Well Sam Evans, the well fit bit of rough you're finally back, not for me I hope I'm hitched got fed up of waiting for you" she said going in for a hug and Sam hung onto Mercy with his Right arm so Diane had to make do with half a hug, straight after which Sam introduced her to Mercy, he did that with all of them he could remember, that chose to hug him.
"So Sam" Julie said she was Sam's first proper girlfriend she came after the incident with Mrs. Jennings and he tried his hardest not to give her a hard time but he took her virginity and left her the day after "Is this finally forever or a hit and run, don't tell me she's a virgin" she finished
"We haven't talked about forever yet but it' definitely for now" Mercy said smiling up at Sam "It's good to meet so many of your old flames at once it means I only have to say this once and if there are any missing please" Mercy said looking at all the women standing around and in front of her "Feel free to pass this on" she said taking another breath, and moving Sam away from her
"Sam belongs to me now so you all need to back the fuck off before I have to deal with your shit and please believe I will break your shit off so stop with the remarks and innuendos of fucks past get over it, it's never going to happen, or in a few cases happen again, not on my time anyway" she said standing waiting for reactions but none came "So we are clear then?" she asked putting her ear forward for a response
"I think it's up to Sam who he wants, not you" one of the girls said
"I can assure you it is most definitely up to me" Mercy said looking straight in her eyes "I will not be saying it again so listen carefully hands, eyes, hearts, minds off my Man"
"Woo Miss Thing do you really think you can take us all on? Dion piped in
"I think the question should be do you think he wants you enough to fight for him?" Mercy said "And I think each one of you should ask yourselves that before you come to me because as I said I will break it off"
"So snap that" Rose said clipping her fingers above her head at her waist and at her knee"
"Sam come on" his Dad said in his ear and he moved with his Dad away from the crowd of women
Mercy and Rose walked off bouncing almost as Sam and Dan stood watching "I told you Bitch" Dan said
"With attitude so Sassy" Sam said obviously turned on
"Down Boy" Dan said laughing making Sam laugh too as they walked towards the main room
"Sam" Mrs. Charles said as they entered the main room where all the food was being served "We haven't had the pleasure of your voice live now for about it's got to be 10 years will you do us some songs. One of yours though no Country you're not about that any more I'm told and I quite like your stuff your Mom keeps me up to speed"
"I'll see what I can do Mrs. Charles later on in about half an hour" Sam replied looking at his Dad "Good idea, bad idea?" he asked
"It will be fine son just go with the flow Mom and Mercy will look after themselves stop worrying, she's already an Evans"
"it's not about how she is Dad I'm missing her we're in the same place and I'm missing her and I really don't understand these feelings I'm having about this woman sometimes it really scares me cos I feel so... exposed"
"Sam, Sam Evans no way Sam freakin Evans what brought you back Bro?" he turned to see his best friends from childhood Blaine Anderson smiling coming towards him. Blaine was still as immaculate as he had always been, hair perfect, colour coordinated and still as handsome as they come.
"Blaine what the, hey great to see you Bro I've missed you" he said
"I've missed you too Bro" he said giving him a bro hug
"What are you doing with yourself now-a-days?" Sam asked
"Well I finally got married to a guy called Kurt he's the cutest ever and he loves me and we have two children both adopted before you ask, I'm in the film industry just bustin in and he's into fashion"
"Someone more into fashion than you?" Sam asked laughing
"You'll have to meet him he met up with some old college friend or something and went off to chat. So what are you doing with yourself other than making hit after hit as we all knew you would?"
"Truth I wasn't doing anything until under a week ago when I met the love of my life and now in my head I've planned the engagement, wedding, family and retirement"
"What! You mean you've found someone? Remember we thought that would never happen for you, that's fantastic, where is she?"
"She's around with my Mom somewhere I brought her down to meet them and she's run off with her" he said laughing
"That's a good sign" Blaine said "Are you round for the weekend?"
"Yeah I think we'll go back on Sunday evening will you be around?"
"Yeah lets meet up at my house tomorrow night and we can meet the other halves we've got the children at home so I'm going to grab Kurt and get off, they'll be getting grumpy for Grandparents, you'll meet them tomorrow Bro it's so good to see you, tomorrow" Blaine said walking backwards away from Sam
"Tomorrow" Sam said turning round to see Mrs. Charles standing behind him "Song Sam" she said
"Okay I'm on my way now" Sam said searching the area for Mercy and his Mom, his eyes met with Mercy's when he looked to the right, she was standing watching him anyway so he smiled and walked towards her
"Mrs Charles asked me to sing and I wondered did you want to sing with me for a second song"
"Something fun please" she said
"Well the first one will be a fuck off song to all those girls that tried to attack you this evening, I've just got to do that so, if you come up after that, is that okay?"
"Absolutely fine, and Sam, I love your family"
"They have to love you because I do" he said before he could stop himself, looking shocked that he'd said it
She kissed him on the lips, looked into his eyes and said "Me too from day one" Sam was buzzed punching the air and jumping higher than Mercy had ever seen anyone jump before
Sam grabbed her and kissed her for the longest time before letting her go "I've needed to touch you since forever it seems like an age" he said before kissing her again
"Sam song" Mrs. Charles said again and Sam let go of Mercy's waist and grabbed her hand and went up on stage
"Good evening everyone Mrs. Charles has asked me to do some of my songs for her so sorry if you were expecting country but not from me just yet anyway and as a treat I've brought along my girlfriend, who is an awesome singer, to help me with another song so I'm just going to sit her down here" he said getting a chair for her on the stage "Before we start" Sam grabbed his guitar and started playing the melody before the band took over, "You got the backing on this?" he asked the back singers standing in waiting, they nodded and he took it away singing "I choose you" by Mario Mercy was sitting listening as he sung until he got to the chorus and then she was up dancing for him, with him, to him and singing along telling him she chose him too. Sam finished the song giving Mercy a kiss as everyone in the crowd wooing "Next up a duet from us" Sam said strumming his notes and whispering to Mercy "This is to all of them" she nodded, then he signalled to the band to start as they sung "Love & Sex Part 2" By Joe & Kelly Rowland as the crowd danced along to the smooth grooves, anyone in the business would have agreed that was the business
"You are on fire" she kissed into his neck saying as they finished
"It's the way you've got me today babe, sorry Mercy" he said as they made to exit the stage but stopped as he apologised
"What's wrong with calling me Babe?" she said looking up at him from behind her
"I called the others babe because I couldn't be bothered to remember their names and I don't want you to think I'm treating you the same"
"Are you treating me the same?"
"No I'm not, you are it for me I really do love you"
"Then you can call me babe if you want, I trust you, and I like it"
"You just blow me away Mercy you really do, don't think I'm silly but do you think we were meant for each other?"
"No doubt yes we were"
"I feel the same too"
"We feel the same too" the crowd said alerting Sam to the fact that the mic's were still on as he looked down at it
"Last song so get jumping and then we're off we need privacy, and you need to be paying to see us like the rest of the world" Sam said laughing "Babe can we do Hey Mama"
"Yeah no problem" Mercy said as Sam turned and instructed the Musicians and singers then the music started for a short while before Sam started shouting to the crowd who was shouting with him as they started singing "Hey Mama"David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj & Afrojack everyone was getting into the song dancing and having fun to the catchy tune. As the song finished Sam said "Thank you and we are out of here" while everyone was clapping and the band carried on the tune, as they left the stage "Talk about versatile" he looked at Mercy saying
"My middle name" she laughed
"Mom, Dad we're going to go see the town and walk part way home if you don't mind, next stage relationship if you know what I mean" Sam said as they hugged his parents and headed out of the Charles home. When they got to the long drive Sam asked Mercy if she was alright walking for a while or he should get a car and she agreed to walk.