Mercedes' POV

"How'd you know to wear your hair like that...How'd you know to turn up that song...How'd you know them little tore up jeans was gonna tear me up and turn me on?"

"Girl, it's like you know me too good but you barely know me at all...Yeah, the way it's going tonight you probably know I'm ready to fall cause baby, you're a little mind, baby you're a little mind reader" Sam sings low in my ear making me practically melt.

We're out on the dance floor swirling among the other couples and I'm biting my lips so hard to keep from grinning, I probably look stupid.

"Why, Ms. Jones," he drawls causing me to laugh. "Are you actually having a good time, at a country bar? Who. Knew."

"No," I try unable to remain serious. "I'm having a good time with you..."

"Uh-huh."

"We just happen to be in a country bar" I giggle and he spins me out to have me spin back into me. He catches me, holding me in a way that his arm has to cross and clutch in front of me, and I close my eyes swaying with him. "If anything, I'm starting to hate country music even more."

"Seriously? Why?" He asks tugging me closer. "I thought it was getting to you?"

"It is; but as soon as the moment turns perfect the song changes and people rush out to join up in lines like River-Dance."

"Aren't you exaggerating?"

With the singer's last croon, a more uptempo song changes and right on cue people get excited to join in a line to start dancing. Sam and I stand in the crowd staring at each other. I cover my mouth but it doesn't help to hide my laughter, and I smile turning to join the nearest line to pick up the steps. He shakes his head before doing the same, to join the line next to me and we rock and kick to the beat along with everyone else. We keep this up for a few more songs, and as soon as it slows I feel his arm link around my waist to pull me to him and I spin easily into form and he raises his eyebrows and I giggle once more.

"I swear, I'm so love-drunk my cheeks are gonna start hurting" I sigh still smiling. "Like...when does this part-"

"Wear off?" He guesses with a sigh. "I'm not sure; I'm kinda hoping it doesn't."

"I don't want it to wear off, but it'd be nice if I could tone it down a bit" I admit feeling a bit embarrassed. "I feel like I'm practically shouting our engagement out to the world."

"So, what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing...it's just, sometimes it feels sweeter when it's more private."

I don't want to say it out loud, but I can't help but feel like the more people who know about us...the more they're going to try and sabotage it. And I can't let that happen.

"This time between us is so special-"

"Yeah, and even after we're married it'll still be special" he says pressing his forehead to mine. "Any time we're together is special...at least it is for me."

I scoff frowning up at him before giving his shirt a tug. "It's the same way for me too...Sam, I'm so happy I could practically combust."

"Me too!" He says a bit excited, and then he becomes shy because it was a bit loud. "Like...I love you."

"Nga yawne lu oer" I reply and he blinks a few times before widening his eyes.

"YO! Where'd you learn that?" He grins clearly impressed and I laugh once more.

"Honestly?" I ask and he nods. "Whenever we break up, I go through this Avatar phrase where it's the only thing that helps me sleep- well,one of the things that help me sleep. But when I miss you..or if I wanna keep up-"

"Wait what? Keep up with what?" He hedges.

"Whatever you're in too or might be in too...Mostly TV. Or movies. Like, I'm all caught up on Game of Thrones because it seemed like something you'd be all about. And if you ever started talking about it, I didn't want to sound stupid like I do with Lord of the Rings. But in my defense, I really tried to get into it! And I totally disagree with the fact that Frodo is the tragic hero instead of Sam. Like seriously-"

Sam's hearty laugh interrupts my rant, as his strong arms pull me into a tight hug with his head resting on top of mine. He kisses my hair and when he pulls back to look at me, and his green-eyes are just sparkling.

"My dear Mercedes," he says softly. "How in hell did I get so lucky?"

I frown, totally not expecting him to say that. I shrug not knowing how to answer. "I ask myself the same about you..."

He leans in to kiss me and it feels so tender and beautiful my toes curl.

"Each and every day of our lives together, I'm going to make sure you never regret the day you decided to be with me" he says when we break apart.

"And I'm going to make sure to protect any and everything we build together; to always be an equally supportive partner. One that isn't afraid to prove my love to you, or at least tell you...because I do."

He closes his eyes and breathes in deep. "You have no idea how long I've prayed to hear you say that."

"Yeah, well I mean it" I say reaching down to interlock our hands. "And no matter what happens that will always remain true-"

He kisses me mid-sentence again before releasing my lips, but still holding my cheeks. "I now pronounce us husband and wife."

"Well-duh" I smirk before really smiling and he takes my hand to weave through the crowd in order to get back to our table.

We sit down and find the check waiting for us the table. Sam and I eye each other before making a dash for it and I pick it up first with a wicked smirk.

He pouts for about a second or two, before his face brightens up with a huge smile. "Puckerman!" He shouts waving him over and I turn my head to see Quinn but the checks slips out of my grip so quickly, he's already taking the money out to pay when I realize his trick.

I glare at him as he smirks wiggling his eyebrows.

"When we're married we can fight over the check; but there is no way I'm gonna let my girlfriend pay for her first meal back home" he says gesturing for the waitress. "You must be crazy" he sasses trying to sound like me and I giggle.

"Fine. But I've got the next one" I threaten and he scoffs as if to say 'We'll see'.

"Are you ready to clear out?" He asks getting up from his seat.

"Yeah, just let me head to the restroom?"

"Okay, I'll wait by the car."

He points over to where it is and I follow his instructions in order to get to it. I disappear behind the door and wait in line for the next stall. As another girl steps out, I wince politely before taking her spot and she gives me the most stank look possible. We're about the same height, which is the only physical similarity I can find between us. She's got cinnamon tanned skin, green eyes and a lean figure. Long, sandy-blonde hair that seems to blow in the breeze as she passes by me to get to the sink. I feel my eyebrows raise watching her glare at me through the mirror and I close my eyes, shaking my head ignoring her to use the the restroom.

It's no surprise that after I finish I see her outside talking to Sam.

"And so it begins..." I smile smoothing out my dress to go join them.

I slow my pace watching Sam fill her in on how his engagement during their break, and I purse my lips closing the gap between the three of us. I notice her tense up and turn to face me and I stare at her ready to dish out whatever she's prepared to throw at me.

"Mercedes!" Sam says half startled, and I smile a little feeling the moment get awkward. "This is...shit" he mutters causing me to chuckle.

"Charlie?" I ask and she smirks. "It's nice to finally meet you. Sam's told me a lot about you."

"Really? He failed to mention you" she says crossing her arms. "I thought I knew everyone important in Sam's life."

"Well, I can see why he wouldn't want to talk about me...up until a few weeks ago I was ancient history-"

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll return there very soon" she says sickly sweet, before facing Sam again. "When you come to your senses, give me a call."

"That's not gonna happen-"

She shoots us a look before releases a wicked laugh. "We'll see...I'm sure once you start suffocating from her weight, it'll remind you of what your missing out on. Like the ability to breathe."

"ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!" Sam bellows and I shake my head as she saunters off. "You're just jealous that she surpasses every description you've ever heard about her! You don't think my friends tell me how much you annoy them with your questions? Trying to find out information? You wish you had the curves she's got! And another thing-"

I reach up to cover my face, slightly embarrassed but highly amused at Sam's behavior. He's shouting, entirely unashamed in a parking lot outside of an establishment full of people. He continues on, and on about me, my appearance, my career and anything else he can think to brag about. And I legit lean up against the car waiting for him to finish because he's completely forgotten to unlock the door because he's so worked up.

"Sam."

"WHAT!" He yells angrily; but once he remembers it's me he calms down.

We share a look, and he's so frustrated on my behalf I can't help but smile. "Let's go home."

He swallows, sort of taken off guard. He even blinks a few times looking confused and I smile even wider watching his anger slowly fade into something entirely sweet. He closes the distance between us to kiss me, and when I close my eyes I feel...illuminated. Like there's this giant light inside my stomach that turns on only for him, causing me to radiate warmth like a lighthouse. I'm so happy it's like I'm afraid to breathe, and it isn't until we separate the oxygen floods my brain like a high.

We spend the entire ride back to Lima holding hands. He's still upset about Charlie, and he rants in detail about why they'd never worked out. I sit quietly listening to him vent and he takes a moment to notice.

"How are you so cool about all of this?" He asks stopping at a red-light.

"Aren't you the one who said that this wedding has a good chance of being a disaster?" I smirk. "I told you Sam, I'm not wavering and I'm not running off. Especially because of some boney-ass, green-eyed veela named Charlie."

"Veela" he chuckles. "Only you would find a way to bring in Harry Potter."

"You're not the only one who can come up with fandom-appropriate analogies and Harry Potter is my shit,...but that chick is part Veela."

"She's not that beautiful, Merce."

I scoff. "I don't care. She's going to have to try a lot harder than her weak-ass comments, to get to me. Her and anyone else."

He gives me another squeeze, continuing to drive me home. And when we reach, he shuts off the car so we can talk some more. It feels just as good, if not better than those distant times back in high school. And when I kiss him goodnight, my toes curl it's so passionate and warm.

The front porch light flicks on and I grunt realizing that someone is watching us.

"Unbelievable," I say and Sam reaches up to touch my chin with a smirk. "I'm a grown woman," I smile finding it funny that I still somehow have a curfew.

"It'll only be like this for a little longer," he chuckles. "But it's probably for the best that you get inside."

I nod understanding what he means, and I kiss him quickly one final time before unbuckling myself and exiting the car. I walk up to the front door and unlock it before turning around to see him off. He doesn't pull away until I'm safe inside the house, and I wave feeling sad to see him go...

But then I remember that I'm engaged to him and my smile returns as I shut the door and lean up against it for support.

"And how are you tonight, Mrs. Evans" his gruff voice says from the living room.

"Oh Daddy," I smile before rushing upstairs to go to bed; but not before I hear him chuckle.