So yeah, it's been a month since I've updated...real life has gotten in the way and i've just lost motivation to write at some point...but fear no more! I've gotten my groove back and I've already started getting ready to write the next chapter...for this one I must put in a disclaimer, I'm not really a religious person but i felt like that side of Mercedes needed to be showcased. Next chapter should be getting a lot more steamier...Enjoy reading!
Mercedes felt as if she was back in high school whenever she was around Sam or even thought about him. She found herself smiling for no reason when she was alone. When they were together, it was a TOTALLY different story. They couldn't keep their hands or lips off one another. Whenever Sam was over for dinner and the kids were off in their rooms, Sam and Mercedes would busy themselves in a heavy make out session in her TV room.
Kissing was as far they had gone. Mercedes' body was ready physically to take it further, but emotionally and mentally, she knew she was not yet ready. After Amaya's birthday party, they created some type of routine. When the kids were with her during the weekend, Sam would usually come over on a Friday night for dinner and a movie. He found out that Mercedes liked to spend time with her kids at home with a home cooked meal, rather than going out to some noisy restaurant. When the kids were with David, she, Santana and Brittany would have a few drinks (at Sam's expense) at Mac's place while Sam and his band played. When he wasn't playing, that was his chance to take Mercedes out to dinner or at her request, stay in for a dinner and a movie.
The first time Mercedes and kids had dinner at Sam's, Landon fell in love with his guitar and music collection as predicted. Amaya loved his house in general because it was so spacious. Neither of them wanted to leave Sam's gam room. He had spilled his secret about being a Halo and Call of Duty junkie and Landon was sold. Amaya became attached to his Wii.
"Are you some kind of secret billionaire?" Landon asked after the tour of his house. Sam laughed sheepishly,
"Uh, no. When my grandpa passed away a few years back, he left me and my siblings a generous amount behind.
"How many brothers and sister do you have?" Amaya asked, surprised at the new found information.
"A younger brother and a sister. They're twins and are away at Ohio State." Landon's interest was peaked
"Oh yeah, how old are they?"
"Steven and Stacy just turned 21 just after the new year." Sam said as he shook his head as if he just realized the age of his siblings.
"Their spring break is coming up so I'm sure you'll be seeing them soon." He added.
"That's cool, so what's for dinner." Landon asked.
"Well since your mom has revealed to me that chicken tacos are her favorite, I figured I show off my skills with making some of those."
"Good luck, mom is very particular about her tacos." Landon scoffed.
"I've been warned, so your mom is going to help me so I can get them right."
"I like how you're talking as if I'm not even standing here." Mercedes cut in. Her son and boyfriend looked at her with almost matching toothy smiles and laughed. Landon fist bumped Sam before asking,
"Is it okay if we hit up the game room while you guys are making dinner?"
"Yeah, just yell if you need anything." Landon and Amaya nodded and they headed down to the game room. Sam looked back at Mercedes and smiled,
"You ready to make some tacos?"
"I hope you know what you're doing. I take chicken tacos serious."
"Oh I believe you, which is why you're going to help me to make sure I get them right. If I can't get that secret sauce recipe, you can show me how you make your tacos." Mercedes laughed and shook her head.
"Still stuck on that sauce ordeal huh? Did you boil your chicken last night like I told you to?"
"Yes ma'am." He answered as he walked over to the fridge to retrieve a bowl of the chicken he boiled the night before.
"Ok we need to shred it before putting it back on stove."
"How do you do that? With your fingers?"
"You can, but I find it easier to do with two forks, here I'll show you." She proceeded to grab two forks and began to pull the chicken apart with the forks. After showing him how to do so, she handed the forks to him and he finished the job for her.
"Where do you keep your pots and pans?"
"Second cabinet top left." She walked over to the cabinet, opened and stopped.
"Uh, Sam?"
"Yeah babe?"
"I need your arms." He chuckled as he sat the forks down and turned to help her get the pot she needed.
"I take it you have all your pots and pans in all the bottom cabinets?"
"You damn right I do, although at the rate Landon is going, I'll be able to use his arms."
"The fifteen year old with the munchkin mom." She playfully poked him in his side and said,
"You better watch it." Mercedes continued to guide Sam through the process of making her version of chicken tacos. The way they coordinated around each other while in his kitchen was as if she had been living with him for years.
"When did you start cooking?" Sam asked as he chopped the tomatoes and she cut the green peppers.
"My mom started teaching me how to cook when I was 12 or 13. I noticed early on that it relaxes me."
"I can tell."
"For me cooking is a way to gather all of my thoughts together. It's a sense of serenity for me." When he finished chopping up the tomatoes, he put them in a small bowl; put the knife and cutting board into the sink before washing his hands. Mercedes looked up at him as he stood in front of her, leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips.
"What was that for?" She asked, her lips still tingling from the kiss. Sam shrugged
"Just felt like it." She laughed as she placed the cut lettuce into the bowl.
"Let's finish dinner before you start something you can't finish."
"Who said I don't intend to finish?"
"The fact that there' two children a few rooms away says so." He stopped and heard Landon and Amaya laughing at while playing whatever game had them preoccupied at the moment.
"Eh, point taken." They shared a laugh and continued with making dinner. Sam continued to patiently follow Mercedes' directions. He couldn't help but enjoy the sight of her going about in his kitchen. He could definitely get use to her being there. Once they were finally done, they called the kids into the kitchen.
Amaya and Landon loved the tacos; though, Landon claimed that Sam had cheated because he got help from his mother. Sam defended himself by stating,
"It was the only way I could ensure you guys ate well." After dinner, Sam suggested they all watch a movie. He let the kids pick out a movie while he and Mercedes cleaned up the kitchen and put the food away. Sam washed the dishes while Mercedes put the leftover food into bowls and in the refrigerator. He could hear her absently humming a tune as she did so.
"What are you singing over there?" Sam asked as she rinsed the dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher. She snapped out of her daze and smiled up at him.
"Oh just a song we're working on at church for Sunday's service."
"Will I ever get to hear you sing? Landon gives your voice so many praises during practice."
"Well, if you want, you could always join us this tomorrow for church."
"What time is service?" He asked excitedly. Mercedes looked at him, shell shocked that he'd taken her invitation so quickly. She wasn't even sure what religion he practiced or if he even believe in any.
"11, it's a Baptist church, I hope you know that."
"Perfect, my parents are Baptists as well. I went to church every Sunday when I was younger."
"What happened as you got older, huh?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow. His face turned red and he began to stammer.
"I-well- I got busy with school, and-" She laughed as she walked up to him and placed her hands on his chest stop him from talking.
"I'm just teasing you. I don't go to church every Sunday, but since my divorce I got a lot more often now."
"Okay. That wasn't very nice, making sweat like that." He said, exhaling in relief, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Oh it's fun making sweat though." She giggled. He pulled her closer and said in a low voice,
"You can make me sweat, just in a different way." He shot her a wink and she gasped, slapping his chest playfully. He leaned down and captured her lips with his. Mercedes reached up on her tip toes to wrap her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. His grip on her waist tightened as he massaged her tongue with his.
"Hey, is Captain America-oh! Uh, never mind." The sound of Landon's voice caused them to quickly pull away. Mercedes' face grew hot as she turned away, not being able to look her son in the eye at the moment. Sam kept his hold on to her hips as he looked at Landon.
"What's up?" Landon rubbed the back of his neck and looked in every direction but the one Sam and his mother stood in.
"Just wanted to know if Captain America was okay to watch."
"Yeah, that's fine. Go ahead and set it up. We'll be in there in a minute." Landon nodded and quickly exited the kitchen. Mercedes buried her face in Sam's chest and they both busted into laughter.
"Oh my goodness, I thought you both were going to explode from embarrassment." Sam said, once his laughter had died
"Shut up. Let's get out there before things get even more awkward." She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the kitchen and into the TV room.
Landon had set up the movie, so by the time Sam and Mercedes had sat down, the opening credits were just starting. Sam's couch wrapped around the whole room, so Landon sat on one end, while Mercedes and Sam sat on the other. Amaya started off on the floor near her mother's feet, but soon after the movie started, she moved on to the couch. She snuggled herself in between Sam and Mercedes.
By the end of the movie, she had ended up with her head in Sam's lap and her legs across Mercedes' lap, fast asleep. When they were ready to go, Sam carried Amaya to the car and carefully placed her inside and buckled her in. Landon was already in the front seat and buckled in as well. Before Mercedes got behind the wheel, am pulled her into a tight hug.
"So I'll see you in the morning." He confirmed.
"Yeah, you want to meet us there or pick you up?"
"How about I pick you guys up? There's this place I want to take ya'll for lunch."
"Okay, that's fine. We usually leave at around 9:30." She said with a smile. He leaned down and kissed her quickly before opening her door.
"I'll be there at 9:15….Drive safely. Text or call me when you get home." She nodded as she started up the engine. When Sam returned back inside, he grabbed his phone and pressed 2 on his speed dial.
"Ma? I'll be over tomorrow afternoon…yeah I'm bringing them, don't worry. …Yes I know…I love you too….goodnight." He ended the call and smiled to himself as he retreated to his room and headed for the shower.
The ride home was a quiet and awkward one. Mercedes knew she had to talk to Landon just to see where his head was as far as how he felt about her dating his teacher.
"Lan, I just wanted to say sorry about earlier."
"Sorry for what?"
"You know….don't make me say it."
"Oh, you mean sorry for making me see my teacher shove his tongue down my mom's throat? It's fine; I'll only have nightmares about it for a few nights….it's no big deal."
Mercedes took her eyes off the road just to see the teasing smile on her son's face. They both laughed quietly, trying not to wake Amaya.
"Seriously Landon, I don't want you feeling uncomfortable…you do have to see him at school Monday through Friday."
"Ma, its fine. I mean I know you guys kiss and whatnot. It would be nice to not have to see it, but it's whatever." Mercedes kept her eyes on the road as she let out a breath of relief.
"Okay, good."
"You know what this means right?
"What?" She asked, feeling a bit confused.
"When I start dating, you can't freak out when you find me making out with a girl."
"Oh that'll be easy because it won't be happening under my roof." Landon smacked his lips.
"Aww man, why not? You do it."
"That's because I'm grown and pay the bills." Mercedes had a strict rule that Landon wasn't allowed to date until he was 16, her parents had done it to her and RJ, and so she just carried out that rule into her family. When they got home, Landon carried his sister into the house and carefully laid her down on her bed. Mercedes didn't want her sleeping in her clothes, so she quickly changed her into a night shirt; all the while never waking her up. She told Landon goodnight before retiring to her room. After she changed into a night gown, sent a quick good night text to Sam and cozied up in between her sheets and quickly fell into a slumber.
When Mercedes woke up the next day, she couldn't help be feel anxious about Sam joining her and the kids for church. She always had to practically beg David to go to church with her but Sam jumped at first chance. She wasn't sure if it was the fact that her relationship with him was new, but there was always that thought in the back of her mind, that the whole thing was too good to be true. As she sat up in her bed, she shook the thoughts away and proceeded to wake the kids and get ready for church. She quickly made breakfast before getting dressed and was ready just as Sam was calling to say he was right around the corner.
Before Sam could greet them at the door, Mercedes and the kids were already out of the house and down the porch steps. Instantly Sam was asking God for his forgiveness for his thoughts as he caught sight of the knee length pencil skirt Mercedes was wearing. He couldn't help but to notice how it accented her curves immensely and the heels she had on made her legs look amazing. Little did he know that Mercedes was doing the same thing as she saw him get out the car. He was wearing a light blue dress shirt and grey slacks that made his already long legs look even longer. She also noticed her stomach turn up in knots when she noticed the thin framed glasses he was wearing. She had always had a thing for men in glasses.
"Good morning gorgeous." Sam greeted with a quick kiss on the cheek before he opened the passenger door. Mercedes let out a feminine giggle as she slid into the front seat.
"Morning." He said a quick hello to Landon while he opened the backseat door for his sister. Sam took over and helped her into the car.
"You're looking very pretty today Amaya." She let out a bashful laugh as she buckled her seatbelt
"Thank you! I like your glasses."
"Why thank you Milady." He sang. He closed her door and rushed over to the driver's side and slid in behind the wheel." Mercedes looked at him with curious eyes.
"I didn't know you wore glasses."
"Only, when I get sick of contacts."
"Well, I think you should ditch the contacts." He gave her a warm smile as he started up the engine and pulled out of the driveway.
"I'll think about it."
The church that Mercedes attended was about twenty minutes outside of Cleveland in a town called Lakewood. Her parents had moved there a few years after she had given birth to Landon. Since her brother was already at Ohio State, they couldn't deal with the fact that she was two hours away with no one else to help her adjust to being a new mother. Soon after moving there, they joined St. Lucas Missionary Baptist church. Mercedes had joined as well, but David did not. When Mercedes filed for divorce, church was the only other thing besides her family and friends that helped her through it all.
When they arrived to the church, the parking lot was already halfway full. They all quickly got out the car and started towards the entrance. Before Sam could take hold of Mercedes' hand, Amaya slipped between them and took hold of both of their hands, while Landon walked on the other side of Mercedes. Anybody who didn't know them would think they were already a family. The usher at the door greeted them with a bright smile as they all entered the church. Once they were inside, they were greeted by an older petite woman dressed in her Sunday's best.
"Miss Mercedes, what a blessing it is to see you this morning." Mercedes had let go of her daughter's hand as she went in for a hug from the woman.
"Good morning Miss Gloria. How are you?"
"Just wonderful. I'd ask the same but I think I already know the answer to that." She said, shooting a glance at Sam. Sam could begin to feel the heat beginning to rise into his cheeks.
"Miss Gloria, this is Sam Evans….my boyfriend." Sam and Landon blinked in surprise after hearing her say the term out loud for the first time. He smiled and held out his free hand.
"Pleasure to meet you ma'am." Miss Gloria blushed and laughed.
"Oh he's a charming one…I hope to see you around here more."
"You can count on it."
"I like him Mercy….You're singing today right?"
"Yes ma'am. Do you know if my parents have made it here already?"
"Yes, your dad is checking the sound and I think I saw your mom talking to Miss Ally."
"Okay, thanks. We'll see you inside."
As they made their way inside the sanctuary, Mercedes was greeted by everyone and had introduced Sam. No matter how many times she had said the word, whenever she mentioned him as her boyfriend, he would leap for joy on the inside. They had found Mercedes' mother sitting in one of the pews closer to the pulpit. To say she was excited to see Sam with them was pretty much an understatement.
"Oh I was wondering when she was going to bring you here. It's so good to see you again, sweetie." She sang as she pulled Sam into a tight hug.
"Yeah once she told me I'd get a chance to hear her sing, I had to jump at the opportunity."
"Oh you're in for a treat. Mercy, your father said to come and see him as soon as you got here. Felicia and Corrine are on their way." She said as they all sat down in the pew. Mercedes nodded as she sat her bible down next to Sam.
"Alright, I'm gonna go see what he wants and then warm up until the other girls get here…See you in a little bit." She gave him a quick kiss before seeking out her father. Sam and her mother conversed while they waited for service to begin. When Sam saw the guitarist, drummer and pianist take their places, he started buzzing with excitement. A few minutes later Mercedes and small group of men and women had appeared from the back. He had recognized one of the women as her cousin from Amaya's birthday party. Mercedes and the others took their places behind their microphones and smiled at each other. Mercedes took her mic off the stand and began greeting the congregation. Sam couldn't help be notice how beautiful she looked up there.
"Good morning, everybody. I hope everyone is have a blessed day on this beautiful Sunday Morning. I know I am." Everyone began clapping and saying Amen in agreement.
"That's what I like to hear. I'm glad that I can start my week with everybody here. We're gonna get today's service started with some praise music." She turned her head, glanced at the drummer and nodded. He nodded back and began counting out a beat. The band started an upbeat tempo song and the whole choir began singing in harmony.
Hey, let me hear you say, ooh ooh oh oh
Let me hear you say, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Mercedes took the lead and Sam instantly felt chills go up his spine.
It's been a real hard couple of months, you had enough (mm hmm)
But it's been hard for everyone, you're not alone, (uh uh)
You've been hurting way too long, let it go and just move on
Make your way down to the altar, hand it over and leave it there
Mercedes had the biggest smile on her face as she sang. She felt happiest whenever she was singing in front of the church, Sam could tell that much just by looking at her.
Most of the congregation started to stand from their seats and clapped along with the beat of the song. Amaya had got up from Sam's lap and then tugged on his hand, urging him to stand up.
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
Next the woman he remembered to be her cousin Felicia took the mic and sounded just as beautiful as Mercedes.
I know you need a healing (yeah) you sick of being sick, you need relief
You're tired of the pressure (yeah)
You got all this stress and you need some peace
Come on and get your breakthrough (breakthrough)
Or haven't you been suffering long enough?
Make your way down to the altar, hand it over, leave it there
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
So everything that you've been worried about (put it on the altar)
You need him to work it out, he'll work it out yeah (put it on the altar)
All of your burdens just bring them all down and (put it on the altar)
You're gonna get an answer to your prayer,
If you (put it on the altar)Oh (oh yes you'll get an answer)
You'll get an answer (answer from the lord)
Oh yes (oh yes you'll get an answer)
You'll get an answer (answer from the lord)
So you need to put it on, put it on, put it on (put it on the altar)
So you need to put it on, put it on, put it on (put it on the altar)
Oh prayer (oh prayer) changes (changes things)
see I know it does (oh prayer changes things)
So take it to the lord in prayer (prayer changes things)
Ask him anything you want cause (prayer changes things)
Mercedes took center again and sang with all the passion in my body. Sam couldn't help but feel a since of pride seeing her up there.
Listen, you've been worrying and crying
Crying and worrying
But you're not alone, you're not alone no
See you have a friend in Jesus, and he knows all about it
And he's gonna do what he promised you
So everything that you've been worried about (put it on the altar)
You need him to work it out, he'll work it out yeah (put it on the altar)
All of your burdens just bring them all down and (put it on the altar)
You're gonna get an answer to your prayer,
If you (put it on the altar)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
It's gonna be alright (it's gonna be alright)
So you need to put it on, put it on, put it on (put it on the altar)
So you need to put it on, put it on, put it on (put it on the altar)
Everyone sounded so well, harmonizing together. When the song was over and everybody had given the choir their praises, all of them had returned back to their seats. Mercedes had returned to the pew and sat next to Sam. Her face began to warm as she saw him looking at her in awe. She laughed quietly as he threw his arm behind her and rested on the pew.
"I had an idea that you could sing, but you….Miss Jones….that was beautiful." She smiled and leaned into him.
"Thank you." The rest of the service was great, and kind of fast. The pastor gave a great service and Mercedes had gone up and sang two more songs before service ended. He had recognized one of them as the one he'd heard her humming at his place. She looked directly in his direction as she sang out the first words of the song.
God has smiled on me
He has set me free, ohh
God has smiled on me
He's been good to me, ohh.
The whole congregation began giving her their praises once they knew what song she was about to perform.
God has smiled on me,
He has set me free, yeah
God has smiled on me
He's been good to me.
He is the source,of my joy
He fills me with His love
Every, every, everything that I ever ever needed
See the Lord sends it down from above, ohh God.God has smiled on me,
He has set me free, ohh
God has smiled on me
He's been good to me.One day I was in my room and I wasn't feeling you
I said Father are you there
I'm feeling real scared
So I got down on my kneesas I began to pray
hoping that the Lord heard what I had to say
I said... (God God God please)
I started begging, I said...(God God God please)
Pleading,then I got on my knees
So as I began to cry
He said I never left your side
I've been right here all along
So you can dry your eyes
seeking me like I knew you would
praising me like I knew you could
That's when I realized that... He's so good,
He's good, he's been good to me, ohh.God is so good, God is so good,
He's been, He's been good,
God is so good, God is so good,
He's been good to me.
By the end of the song, she had totally become engrossed in the song and began adlibbing the song, feeling the spirit of the words. When she finished, she quietly thanked the church and the pastor ended service in prayer. Before Mercedes had joined Sam and the rest of her family, her mother leaned in close to Sam and said quietly,
"I hope you know how much it means to Mercy to have you here with her today."
"Don't worry, I think I have pretty clear idea, ma'am." Before they left church, they said a quick goodbye to her father and some of the other church members she had introduced Sam to. They walked hand in hand to the car, while Landon held on to his sister's hands.
"So where are we going for lunch?" Landon asked once Sam had pulled out of the church's parking lot.
"It's a place I've been going to for years…I go every Sunday."
"Where's that?" Mercedes asked skeptically. He looked at her through his glasses and gave her a toothy smile.
"My parents' house."
the two songs showcased in this chapter were "Put it on the Altar" by Jessica Reedy and "God has smiled on me" also by Jessica Reedy...thank you so much for reading...until next time!