Mercedes' POV

Quinn's literally been here for three days and I feel like I could strangle her.

As a maid of honor, she's impeccable. She keeps track of all of my appointments, and makes sure that I'm where I need to be. In the short time she's been here, she has hired the photographer, planned a "surprise" engagement party and scheduled a fitting for the entire bridal party.

I swear on the one hand having her here is wonderful. She's always helped steady me whenever I feel overwhelmed. And even with this crazy deadline to pull off this wedding in less than two weeks, I feel like it's possible because she's so on top of it. But as far as being my best friend? She's slacking.

She keeps dropping hints or asking questions...and they aren't bold enough to openly say how she disapproves of my marriage to Sam. But I'm starting to regret asking the Queen of Passive Aggression to be my maid of Honor.

Even now, we're checking out the venue for the reception. Instead of having it in a barn like I originally wanted, I let Kurt talk me into changing the location to a reception hall a few towns over. Kurt is determined to top his Gleeked-Out Double Wedding, and having it take place in a barn isn't doing his "Diva" justice. Apparently choosing a similar venue is too much pressure on his creative process...either way it's bullshit that I know Quinn talked him into believing. I can tell from the sudden brightness in her voice explaining the many possibilities this place offers, that she approves of this location than the barn I originally picked out. She points out and motions to space and the potential formation of tables, discussing it over with the event planner.

"Oh Mercedes, isn't this just lovely?" She smiles until she sees my face, and then she sighs knowing I'm not crazy about it.

"You know, you don't seem like the type of bride to hold back" the event planner smiles her "working" smile. "Be honest...Tell me what you think?"

I take a long glance around the giant room before smiling tight. "I think that no matter how much you try to convince me of it's potential, me nor my guests won't be able to forget that this place is where anyone within a thirty mile radius comes for their wedding reception. Making it cliché in every sense of the word."

Both women stare at me somewhat speechless and I sigh refusing to take it back.

"Mercedes," Quinn says reaching for my hand. "You and I both know that Kurt is a miracle worker. And if he says that he can transform this hall into the reception of your dreams, he's going to follow through...But he can't do that until we pick a venue, and you've already said no to everywhere else."

I feel my nose flare hearing her logic.

"Kurt's going to kill me if I don't finalize the flowers, centerpieces or any of the other decorations. And I can't focus on that until I know what kind of space I'm designing for and I really like this one" she adds and I roll my eyes. "The fountains will offer a pleasant backdrop, not to mention it's a glass room giving us plenty of opportunities for lighting-"

"Our ceremony takes place during the day. We're all going to be blasted by the sun."

"Mercedes, we literally don't have time to argue..." she huffs. "I'm trying to help ensure that you get the wedding of your dreams, but the fact that it's this soon is making it really unlikely-"

I shake my head knowing exactly where she's going. "I'll take it" I snap interrupting Quinn and turning to face the event planner. I give her a list of details and give her a tight smile. "Do you need anything else?"

I don't even wait for an answer choosing to walk out of the room and I hear Quinn grumble under her breath before following me out. As soon as we get outside, we start.

"Mercedes!"

"What?!" I shout. "You aren't slick, Q! I know you don't approve of me marrying Sam-"

"You're right. I don't."

"But guess what, I don't give a flying fuck!"

"I KNOW YOU DON'T! YOU NEVER DO, WHEN IT COMES TO HIM!" She bellows. "You're so independent and strong-willed when it comes to everything else. But for Sam Evans, you're ready to sacrifice everything!"

"I love him, Quinn! Why is that so hard to understand?" I plead.

"Merce, you are so much better than Lima, Ohio" she stresses. "You don't belong here, and I don't want you waking up one day wishing someone had given it to you straight. Because you know deep down, this is too fast."

"Why? Because I'm happy? But then again I shouldn't be surprised," I smile. "Any time it's my turn to reap a benefit, I'm seen as selfish and not a team player."

"You aren't thinking clearly!" She whines. "And like it or not, you and Sam are a toxic cycle. You keep finding each other just to end up worse...This is just another tornado, and you're just running into it."

I bite my lips hard.

"I don't want to see you hurt" she says softly.

"Yeah, well...it's too late for that" I say sniffling a little. "This group has already wounded me more than Sam ever has."

"Mercedes-"

"I'm done talking about it" I quip and she frowns at my tone. "You're my best friend Quinn..Just as important to me as Sam, and just like him I want you by my side but, I'm tired of choosing everyone else. And I'm tired of hurting the one person who's loved me in spite of it all...So if you can't get over the fact that I'm picking him this time, you are more than excused from attending my wedding."

She scoffs as I unlock the door and we both get in without saying another word. It takes a good fifteen minutes to get back into town and Kurt calls wanting an update.

"Yeah, I picked the Country Club" I say sourly and he claps excitedly.

"It's gonna be great, Merce. I promise."

"If you say so..." I say unconvinced. "When are you getting in?"

"This weekend. Blaine's got a read-thru and I've got a few meetings with my agency. But we should get in by Friday if not sooner."

"Great" I say flatly and Quinn gives a short laugh.

I pull in front of my house and see that a black SUV is parked in the garage. I shut off the car and groan knowing who it belongs too. Quinn still sits beside me silently brooding, and I sigh knowing I'm not going to budge on how I feel. So I stay quiet and don't say anything choosing to get out and head inside the house. When I open the door, I see my parents congratulate Rachel on her Tony while Jesse watches adoringly.

"Honestly, I wish I could say that it was a humbling moment. However, I highly doubt there were any serious doubts as to whether or not I was going to get it. I have literally been willing my nomination into existence since birth," she chuckles causes my parents to wince awkwardly. "But it's really Mercedes I have to thank. I mean, she is the one who convinced me to go back to Broadway and pursue my dream. Which is why we're here, to ensure that she get's her's by marrying Sam."

I frown a little glancing at Jesse, who's smirking a little within his seat on the couch. He knew that Rachel's slightly condescending tone, however sincere her wishes are; would be enough to irk me. Enough to make me sound, like all that I'm able to accomplish in life is gaining a husband. That my ambitions are no higher than scoring the high-school quarterback.

I smile shaking my head realizing that this is the same Jesse St. James we've known all along. Using our friendships to create tension and "healthy-competition" within the group. The only thing I can't figure out, is why.

A trophy or regionals isn't at stake. Just my happiness with the one man in the entire world, who makes me feel like I'm capable of anything. So...why are Quinn and Jesse so adamant about ruining it?

"Thank you Rachel," I say slowly before giving her a genuine smile. "And I really appreciate the fact that you two could come and witness our special day," I smirk directly at Jesse and he scoffs getting up from his spot.

"Where is Ol' Trouty-Mouth, anyway?" He says walking over to give me a hug. "Too busy picking pork out of his teeth with his toes?"

"Ya-Mama."

"Daddy," I hiss.

"What?" He shrugs carelessly, changing the channel and I'm forced to fight a smile.

"Actually, he's in class. But he'll meet us later" I answer taking Jesse in an embrace. "Whatever you're up too," I whisper. "Its not going to work."

He chuckles rubbing my back before letting me go. "Who else is here?"

"Quinn, Puck and Mike. Kurt and Blaine get in this weekend. Tina and Artie, along with Santana and Britney are coming next week. Their work schedules were too hectic. And I guess, everyone else is trickling in."

He nods as I go over to hug Rachel.

"Hi, Rachel" I smile giving her a tight hug that she returns.

"Hey," she grins rocking our embrace happily. "We left as soon as possible, so that we could support you and Sam whole-heartedly," she emphasizes threatening Jesse. "Isn't that right, Mr. St. James?"

"Absolutely Mrs. St. James...In fact, how are the wedding plans coming?" He asks no doubt noticing my mouth twist. "I mean, you haven't said anything about the color scheme or venue. Not to mention the food, flowers, or even what you'd like us to wear. And since it's such short notice, you don't have a lot of time to be picky" he adds in his signature condescending tone.

I take in a deep breath, closing my eyes realizing he's just trying to overwhelm the situation by making me feel like this wedding is impossible...but I am going to marry Samuel Dwight Evans in less than three weeks if it kills me.

"The colors are blush and caramel, and believe me Kurt and I are on top of it" Quinn says entering the house, heading over to embrace Rachel before sending me a wink and I smile catching a glimpse of my best-friend.

"Well anyway we can help, just let us know" Rachel offers. "And as far as the music, I've taken care of it."

Everyone freezes with the same scrunched up expression before I ask what everyone is thinking. "What do you mean, you've taken care of the music."

"Well, I just assumed that you and Sam would've picked a song from my repertoire to use for your first dance."

I give myself a face-palm with a slight chuckle...Some things never change.

"And it's a good thing we're friends, and that my accompanist was available because I'm booked up until 2018. I mean, I'm even too busy to perform at Neil Patrick Harris' Christmas Party, and that's extremely disappointing."

"Rachel, no offense but you're not singing at their wedding" Quinn adds. "The day is supposed to be about them."

"Which is why I'm giving the gift of my voice, so that their day shines as bright as my career."

I roll my eyes and catch a glimpse of Jesse smirking in his corner. I shake my head knowing that unbeknownst to Rachel, he got to her already. In her own way she's somehow managing to be supportive and irritating by dangling her success in my face as always. And like I said before, he knew that would bother me more than anything.

"That's very thoughtful of you-"

"Isn't it, Mrs. Jones?" Rachel says blindly interrupting my mother and my mom gives her one of those looks.

"But, Mercedes doesn't want a Glee-Wedding."

"Excuse me?" Rachel snaps before looking at me, and I sigh unapologetically. "I don't, understand. It's how we've always done it. It's how we all met, it's why we're still together now. It's tradition."

"It's also cliché" I say unfeeling. "I mean, where is it written that every time we meet up we always have to sing?" I say almost laughing. "I don't want my wedding a chance for everyone to perform. God knows we'll have the opportunity at our class reunion...This is essentially the most important day of my life, and I'm determined to keep it beautiful and sacred and focused on Sam and I."

Rachel's mouth pops open and then she closes it. "Well..."

"This isn't going to be like Kurt and Blaine or Santana and Britney...Sam and I are different. And if your don't like it, you don't have to come" I say looking directly at Jesse. "We extended the invitation...The ball's in your court."