Puckerman's POV
(At JFK...)
"There is absolutely no way I'm gonna let you back out of having a bachelor party," I grin already becoming excited, completely ignoring his protests. "And you underestimate my skills when you think I can't pull it off in less than a month."
"I don't want anything pulled off!" Sam groans. "I don't need it, just you guys being there is enough."
"But we have too!" I argue. "It's tradition! Mike and I both got one-"
"Yeah, and both times it got so out of control we almost missed your ceremonies. And the last thing I need is something ruining my chances to marry the one girl who manifests all of my fantasies-"
"Whoa. Dude. Save it for the vows" I whine before laughing at how he's so sprung. "All I'm saying is, we can't break tradition. It's bad luck...and I already know that the girls and Q are planning something huge for your girl, Merce."
"I highly doubt Quinn is involved with anything; she hates me remember?" He sighs sounding low.
"It's just temporary" I try and he scoffs. "I'm serious, she'll eventually come around."
"I just don't understand what I did in the first place..." he says wistfully. "And if I knew, maybe then I could fix it-"
"I know my wife better than anyone, and it's best to sometimes just leave it alone. The girls will figure it out-"
"But when? Like I know Merce won't admit it, but she'll be crushed if you guys aren't there."
"Well, I'm coming regardless" I smirk trying to alleviate his mood. "And as your best man, I'm gonna do everything to make sure this wedding goes off without a hitch."
"Dude, I never said you were my best man."
"Like anyone else is more qualified for the position" I scoff. "Besides, who better than me will ignore what you want to ensure you get what you need-"
"You see that's what I'm talking about-" Sam tries and I start laughing. "So you'll guys will be here within the week?"
"Yeah, we're taking a flight out in a couple of hours."
"Okay, so we'll see you when you get in" he says starting to hang-up.
"For sure. Later."
"Later."
Not even two seconds later I get another call.
"I think you've got the wrong number, chica" I sigh. "What's up?"
"Nothing," she answers in her snarky-tone. "Just wanted to give you the heads up as best-man, that your wife and a few others are going to try and sabotage the wedding."
"What? You're bluffing."
"Why would I?" She says with a short laugh. "Look, you and I both know that they don't support Mercedes and Sam. And we both know it's not beneath them to try something. So, I'm asking you to step in before something goes wrong."
"Jesse, of course. But Quinn? She wouldn't do something like that-"
"Oh, wouldn't she?"
"No. She wouldn't" I defend watching her walk over to me with an armful of magazines. "In fact she's been rummaging through magazine racks in order to find every bridal magazine in JFK. So...if she's looking to ruin-"
"Quinn's smarter than that" Santana interrupts. "She was captain of the Cheerios, second in command to Sue Sylvester. She'll mess with the mind, and all she needs is a few hours alone with either of them to plant enough doubt to call it off. I'm telling you, we can't let that happen."
"Well if their relationship is that fragile, maybe they shouldn't be together" I challenge and she lets out a screech.
"Who are we to judge them?!" Santana yells. "I'm sorry, but what committee approved any of our relationships? Who gave us the right to do that to them? They deserve to figure this out on their own with our support, whichever way it turns out. And I will cut any one down who tries to ruin their chances."
I can hear Britney on the other end trying to calm her down and Santana breathes out heavily trying to get herself under control.
"They're our friends...and whatever they decide to do should be left up to them. They deserve that much."
"And I'm not disagreeing; it's just I can't picture Quinn deliberately trying to ruin her best friend's life."
She sits beside me with her stack and I look at her as she begins flipping through a magazine. Her relationship with Mercedes is so delicate. Mercedes helped her, helped us both at a time when we felt we had no one. And she was the last person on earth, let alone at McKinley who had any reason to give two shits about us, but Mercedes did. And she sheltered Quinn and helped her through the most difficult time of her life. And for that both Quinn and I will always be indebted to her.
Quinn has always been a grizzly, and having Beth just intensified her tendencies to protect the ones she cares the most about. And secretly, Quinn's always hoped for a chance to return the favor to Mercedes. So I hate to admit it but if she thinks that stopping this wedding is best, she'd find a way. And San is right, the girl is smart. She isn't overt or blatant in her attacks...she can be sly. She'll sneak around dropping hints, allowing things to escalate before standing back and watching what she was able to instigate.
"Fuck. Fine. I'm in." I say a bit loud causing Quinn to look at me. "I'll watch her."
"Good" Santana says a little harsh. "Brit and I won't get in until a week before the ceremony so...you're on your own."
"Gee. Thanks."
"You can do it. And if you need back-up don't be afraid to enlist their family."
"It's a wedding, not a black-ops mission."
She laughs. "You'd be surprised to see how much they have in common."
"Everything okay?" Quinn asks lazily flipping a page.
"It was just Santana; calling about some wedding stuff" I answer and she nods.
"Did Mercedes pick a color yet? I told her that was the first thing she had to do, so I know what kind of flowers she's going to need for the venue. Can you believe she wants a barn reception? I gave her so many suggestions more suited to her usual style and she ended up choosing the most cliche-"
"You love her, don't you?" I ask and she stops mid-sentence before frowning confused. "Like...Mercedes. You love her-"
"What are you talking about?" She asks sounding hurt. "Of course I love her; how could you even ask me that?"
"Because this is the happiest I've ever seen her, and you couldn't seem more miserable."
She shakes her head and exhales returning to her magazine. "You're making no sense."
"If you try and stop this wedding, she'll never forgive you. And I'm not sure if I could either."
"So that's what Satan, had to say?" She smiles annoyed. "Well, I'm not planning anything with Jesse."
"I didn't say you were, but I know you Q. And you'll try and stop her if you think that's best for Mercedes in the long run."
She flips another page not disputing.
"And I'm telling you right now, if you do something to hurt either one of them. I don't think you'll like what it'll do to our friends."
Mercedes's POV
(A Few Hours Later in Lima, Ohio...)
"What about this one?"
"Or this one!"
"You've got to be joking! She can't wear that!"
"Mercedes dear, you have to pick one."
"Your mother's right. You can chose from these six."
"Mhm-mm. Not that one. It looks like the first place winner at the Kentucky Derby-"
Its been like this all day.
I've been trapped inside Miss Joyce's Bridal Boutique, with my mother and three other women from church trying to pick out a color scheme or dress-style. I've seen every cut, bow, frill, tie, shade, shawl and flare and none of them seem appropriate. And all these women seem to do is banter and cluck like a group of hens, constantly making suggestions or giving me advice on married life. Like I can't take it any more! And on top of that I haven't eaten since breakfast.
"You used to call me on my cell-phone..."
"YES!" I groan excited to talk to anyone, and his chuckle greets me first.
"Having fun?"
"You got jokes" I smile hearing his voice. "I'm sorry I'm running late. I didn't expect it to take this long-"
My mom makes a face and I wince getting up from my seat to go talk in private.
"Where are you?"
"Miss Joyce's. Like I'm not even ready for our date."
"Oh...well I could rescue you, but you said I wasn't allowed-"
"YOU ARE NOW" I beg and it earns another laugh.
"I dunno...like..."
"Don't play with me" I giggle. "Please, come and get me."
He laughs again. "Relax, I'm around the corner."
"Thank God!" I smile. "I promise, it'll only take me fifteen or so minutes-"
"To do what?"
"Get ready" I answer and he scoffs. "What?" I say innocently. "It will!"
"Yeah. Okay."
"I'm serious. I've already picked out my outfit, I just have to freshen up and change."
"Sure" he says doubtfully. "Whatever. You. Say."
A few minutes later I see his car pull up in front of the shop, and I bounce a little like a puppy in a store window as he get's out. He smooths his hair back and I purse my lips checking him out wondering why he looks so good, in the most casual outfit. He's in this burgundy long-sleeved cotton shirt with four tiny buttons and a pair of dark jeans. His hair is gently tousled and it looks a bit shorter, and his face is definitely smoother. I begin smoothing out my hair and and t-shirt before he walks in through the door, and I swallow feeling a little embarrassed that I'm not as cute as I usually am. He glances around the shop until he finds me, and when he does the warmest smile spreads across his face.
He walks over to me glancing towards the back where the source of cackling and noise are coming from, and he leans in before whispering. "Is this a prison break, or a kidnapping."
I smile leaning in to kiss him and he tries to talk in between contact.
"I guess-" he smiles returning the pressure. "It doesn't-" He chuckles. "Matter?"
I kiss him even harder, shutting him up and his hands reach up to hold my face.
"I missed you" I say quietly when we finally break apart and his thumb brushes across my lips.
"Really, I couldn't tell" he teases right before I nip his thumb gently. "A biter, huh? That's kinda hot."
I giggle ducking around his embrace to let my mom know where we're going. Sam follows quietly and we reach the back of the shop, but as soon as they see him the women go nuts trying to cover up the magazines and catalogues.
"Hello ladies" Sam says a little amused, as the women yell at me for letting him in. "Trust me, I haven't seen anything."
"Even so, Mercedes shouldn't have let you back here" my mom scolds.
"What's the point? I'm not using any of this stuff...no offense Miss Joyce" I say honestly. "But I'm going out with Sam-"
"If you elope Mercedes-"
"You'll kill us both" Sam recites eating another laugh and my mom is forced to smile. "We're just going over to Lafayette."
"Oh. Is your band playing tonight Sam?" She asks and I look at him surprised. "I should tell Steve, since he liked it so much the last time you performed."
"Nah, not tonight. But I still wanted to take Merce to check it out" he answers easily. "But I won't keep her out too late."
"No worries, Sam. I trust you. Have a good time" she smiles covering up some more magazines, and Sam coughs trying to cover up another laugh.
"Nice seeing you ladies," he says curling his hand around mine to lead me out to the front of the shop.
"Goodbye Sam" the women practically sing and I roll my eyes following him out.
We walk out of the shop and he makes his way over to the passenger side door to open it for me. "M'Lady."
"Kind sir" I respond before getting in.
He closes my door gently before jogging to the other side and he get's in as I buckle up. When he sees me struggling with the belt, he reaches around carefully to untangle it before securing me in place and I smile a little noticing how attentive he is.
"Something wrong, Ms. Jones?" He says in his southern drawl and I smile a little wider looking out the window.
"Not a single thing...just when were you going to tell me you were in a band?"
He smirks starting the car. "It's no big deal. Just something me and a few of my friends from my graduate program do in our spare time."
"Well when is your next gig? I wanna get a good seat-"
"Whoa, slow your roll" he smiles. "It's really more like an epic jam session. Just a bunch of guys singing-if anything it's another glee club. Just better music and more alcohol."
"I don't care. If my husband-to-be is in a band, I'm determined to be your number one groupie."
He shakes his head with another laugh. "Well I'm not performing tonight, but I'll keep that in mind."
He drives me home and we enter the house, with me rushing upstairs while he goes to take his usual seat on the couch. I rush upstairs to plug in my curling iron, and I legit start stripping leaving a trail of clothes all the way to my closet before I pull out the dress I'm going to wear. A pale pink lace dress that stops just above the knee, with a thin brown belt wrapped around the middle and a pair of matching ballet flats with a gold buckle. I retouch my make-up and smear perfume across my body along with my favorite coconut scented lotion. I smile checking my reflection in the mirror before rushing back to the bathroom so I can curl my hair. I end up giving myself beach waves because my hair won't cooperate, I just leave it with a frustrated groan before heading back downstairs.
He stands up, and the way he's staring at me let's me know that I've definitely taken longer than I promised.
"I know-I know-I know! I went over fifteen minutes, it's just I wanted to look worthy of your side. Or at least perfect" I rush out. "And the way you look right now is not only unkind but entirely unfair, because it's like how am I supposed to compete. But I had to try-"
"Mercedes" he says and I swallow a bit nervously. "Shut-up," he smiles closing the distance between us. "You're beautiful."
I open my mouth to respond but no words come out, because I'm flattered, flustered and I just fucking can't with this man.
His finger swirls around the end of a flyaway curl, tucking it gently behind my ear and I close my eyes feeling my stomach churn.
"We have got to get out of here" I say slowly stepping away from him.
"Something wrong?"
"No. But a few more seconds alone with you, my will-power will be shot" I say covering my face. "And we only have to last 20 more days."
"Two weeks and six days. We got this...but it's not fair when you come floating down like an angel made for sin-"
"Says the man who looks like a living GQ model, designed to act out my sexual frustrations."
He groans running his hands through his hair. "This is torture...like if we did waver, not saying that we should but if we crack under pressure-" he explains as I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "I promise to act normal. Like, we could still pretend we held out."
"There's no way we could pretend" I laugh and he winces. "Sam, nothing about us ever remains a secret. Our feelings have a way of broadcasting everything; and something that special would not remain a secret to anyone."
He pouts, twisting his mouth in frustration and I smile even bigger.
"It's like you said. We can do it...Two weeks and six days" I say taking his hand and kissing the back of it. "And then I'm all yours, any time. Day or night."
"Keep it up Jones...you're just digging yourself a bigger hole."
"How so?"
"Because...I've got every intention of holding you to your word."
Sam's POV
Ten minutes or so into the drive, Mercedes reaches out to hold my hand and I squeeze it hard for proof that this is real.
"Thank you."
"For what?" I ask looking over at her, and she stares at our interlocked hands.
"Being so cool...about me, wanting to wait."
I smile returning my attention to the road. "You don't have to thank me, Merce. What kind of guy would I be if I didn't respect your decision?"
"I know, but still...I know this is hard for you."
"Not really" I chuckle. "Am I anxious, fuck yeah but...it's not unbearable."
"Speak for yourself" she grumbles. "Like I've never seriously thought about breaking my vow, until we got engaged. And essentially I don't know why it's still intact and we're getting married. Like you're the love of my life, why can't I share myself with you-"
"Because if you do, your reasons for ending us the last time would have been for nothing. And I'm not sure I could handle that; it would've meant all this time was a waste" I say and when I glance back over at her she's frowning hard trying to argue with my point. "Our relationship is built on more than just an intense, lustful attraction, isn't it?"
She scoffs at my question.
"I mean, God forbid something happened to incapacitate my...abilities" I smirk and she snorts a laugh. "You'd still choose to be with me."
"Of course I would...I love, you" she says sincere enough to touch my heart.
"Well then there you go" I smile easily. "It's like I told you before, sex isn't everything...just an awesome bonus with the right person."
I stop at a stop light and look over at her, and she's giving me the sweetest stare possible. And I smirk waiting for the light to change before cruising off once again. It takes another five or so minutes to pull into town, and then another ten to get to Billy's BBQ & Dancehall. I pull into a parking spot and shut off the car and Mercedes lets me go to unbuckle herself. We get out of the car and link right back up in order to walk inside and the music and smell of southern cooking waft out to encircle our noses.
"I'm gonna dress up, in my low cut, my tight blue jeans, I'm gonna stir somethin' up, I'm gonna kiss all the boys till I kiss your memory goodbye...Yeah, I'mma gonna drink myself single tonight..."
Mercedes turns to me with a huge smile hearing the country lyrics spill out to meet us as the doors welcome us in. People are line dancing, drinking and eating good ol'fashioned chuck.
"Come on, let's get a table" I say tugging her over to my usual spot. It's a table for four, tucked in a good spot to see the band on a second tier to watch the couples dance.
"Sam!" Terry waves from across the way, and he makes our way over to us. He's about 5'8, sandy blonde hair and freckles.
"What's good, Terry?" I ask and he gives me a look, quickly checking out Mercedes.
"Nothin much, you playing' tonight?"
"Nah, not tonight" I answer. "I wanted to bring my girl here to check it out" I say looking back at Mercedes and she bites her lip at the term.
"Oh. This you? Impossible. She's too pretty to be with you" he smirks before extending an arm to greet her. "What's your name sweetheart?" He asks flirtatiously.
"Happily taken" she answers with a polite smile, causing me to laugh. "But my friends call me Mercedes."
"Mercedes...Jones?" He asks and she nods. "Yo, my niece absolutely loved your last single!"
"Wow. Really?"
They begin talking, with Terry fawning over her and I watch her knowing that I have to make the time she's sacrificing to be with me count. I have to finish up school as quickly as possible, so she can get back to making music. It's where she belongs, and I promised myself to never let her go again so I have no choice but to follow. She's genetically designed for greatness and I refuse to be her Achilles-heel.
"Are you gonna be in town for a bit? She'd totally freak if she got to meet you."
"Yeah, I'll be in Lima. Sam and I are getting married in a few weeks so-"
"Dude, you're getting married?!" He exclaims. "Damn, you'll sure be breaking a lot of hearts."
Mercedes looks at him a little intrigued and I shift a bit. "Stop exaggerating; it's just a few random girls-"
"Charlie, the same chick you've been dating on and off again for the past year, is just some random girl? Wait 'til I tell her!" Terry hollers before ducking his head to Mercedes. "It was definitely my pleasure to meet you, and I'm sure we'll see each other again."
"If you live that long" I growl and Terry chortles another laugh.
Mercedes smiles warmly. "I'm sure we will. We'll all have to get together and hang out some time."
"Absolutely" he grins before walking away and I'm glaring at his back.
When I look back to Mercedes she's sitting with her lips pursed trying not to laugh and I wince guiltily. She breaks out into a grin as the waitress comes over. She passes each of us a menu and I take it awkwardly as Mercedes orders and then I place mine.
"I'll be right back with your drinks" she smiles and Mercedes thanks her, turning her head to watch the dancers.
"Merce."
"I don't wanna know" she answers bobbing her head to the bass of the music.
"But...why not?" I ask and she looks at me a little surprised at my tone. "I mean, I'll answer anything you ask me."
"Why does it matter? I've got the ring" she sasses as the music changes to a slower song. "Both of us have a past, that we can't hold the other too."
"Even so...aren't you curious?" I ask sounding baffled and she shakes her head 'no' with an innocent expression.
"And if you ask me about mine, I won't answer because it's irrelevant...I said yes to you."
I frown unsure of how to process this. "You're taking this better than I expected."
"Yeah, well...I'm tired of being stupid" she chuckles. "And I'm not losing you again for anything. I'm too happy."
I smile a little seeing how mature she is, and she's right. In the past, Charlie would've driven a wedge between us filling her head with doubt. And even though her insecurities are still there, she's choosing to ignore them in order to remember us and what we have now. And I can't help but smile knowing that this is going to work.