DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLLE NOR THE CHARACTERS.
ENJOY LOVEBUGS :)
Mercedes groaned as she shifted on the floor. Opening her eyes she noticed that she was not in her house. She held her head when she jumped up, "What happened?" She muttered quietly, hearing snoring she turned over and saw Sam laying beside her. She looked down at herself and noticed she had on one of his t-shirt, "What the hell?" Shaking Sam lightly, "Wake up."
"No.." He drawled out opening his eyes, he looked up and saw Mercedes hovering over him.
Mercedes giggled when she saw him pouting, "I fell asleep here?"
"We had a little to much wine and I told you I didn't want you driving." He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at her, "You're not mad are you?"
"Why would I?" She stood up from the floor.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"You're not." She leaned over and gave him a kiss, "I'm fine." She walked to the bathroom.
Sam smiled at her retrieving form as he got off the floor also. He walked down the hallway and opened the door to Madison's room. He walked in and saw her still sleeping, "Muffin."
Madison groaned and turned her head away from his voice.
Sam laughed quietly, "Darlin' wake up for me please."
Madison let out a huff as she turned back to him, "Daddy I just want to sleep."
"I promise you can sleep for the rest of the day pumpkin but you have to get up so you can eat something."
Madison pouted, "Finnneee." She pulled the cover from over her small body and got out of the bed, heading to the bathroom.
Sam shook his head at her as he went back to the hallway. He saw Mercedes buttoning up her jeans as she walked down the stairs, "Hey."
She looked back up at him with a smile, "Hey. I'm just going to head out."
"Do you want to stay for breakfast?"
"No, I don't want to imposed on the rest of your weekend with your daughter."
"You're not imposing." Sam said as he walked to her.
"I-"
"Hi Ms. Cedes." Madison said as she came into the hallway.
"Hey Madison." She smiled at the young girl.
"Are you staying for breakfast? We can share cereal." She said giving her the most adorable puppy dog eyes ever.
Mercedes smiled at her, "Now how can I resist that?"
"You can't." Sam said with a smirk as he walked up the stairs to go change.
Madison smiled at Mercedes and went to grab her hand, "Come on." She tugged her through the living room to the kitchen.
Mercedes picked her up and sat her on the counter. Turning to the cabinet she opened up and found three boxes of cereal, "Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms?"
"Fruit Loops." She said excitedly.
"Fruit Loops it is." She grabbed the box down and sat it on the counter. She tuned back to Madison, "Do you know where the bowls and spoons?" Mercedes looked to where she pointed, standing on her tippy toes as she grabbed two bowls and spoons from drawer. She opened the refrigerator and grabbed the jug of milk.
"Can I ask you something Ms. Cedes?"
"Sure." Mercedes said as she divided the cereal into the bowls.
"Are you daddy's girlfriend?" She asked bluntly, crystal blue eyes searching brown.
Mercedes stopped pouring the milk when she heard the question. Looking at her, "I am." She handed the little girl her bowl, "Is it okay that I'm daddy's girlfriend?"
Madison nodded her head quickly, "Yes I am glad. I like you a lot and you're really pretty." She scooped up some of the cereal and placed it in her mouth.
Mercedes smiled shyly at the girl, leaning back against the counter with her bowl.
Sam came into the kitchen, placing a kiss on Madison's forehead and walked over to Mercedes kissing her cheek, "No breakfast for me?"
"You have to make your own daddy." Madison giggled at him.
"Yeah Sam." Mercedes bumped her hip against his, "You have to make your own."
"Oh I see how it is." He looked between the two, "Double teaming me already." He mumbled grabbing a bowl.
Mercedes and Madison giggled at him.
Sam frowned when he heard the doorbell ring, "I'll be right back." He sat his stuff down and walked towards the door. Peeking through the front door he rolled his eyes, "What the fuck do you want?" He asked when he opened the door.
"I came to get my daughter Sam. You have no right to be taking her away from me." Nicole said as she walked inside the house.
"Well, she doesn't want to be with you so leave." He stated angrily.
Nicole ignored him and walked through the house, hearing voices in the kitchen she quirked a brow as she saw her daughter with some woman, "Get the hell away from my daughter slut."
Mercedes looked at the woman shocked at her outburst, "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me." Nicole looked at her up and down.
"You need to leave..right now Nicole." Sam said leaving no room for discussion.
"Fine, come on Madison." She said eyeing Mercedes.
"I don't want to go with you." Madison said quietly, tears rimming her eyes.
Nicole squinted at her, "Listen brat..you don't make decisions around here. I'm your mother and you're coming with me."
"Daddy don't make me go." She cried as she leaned against Mercedes.
Mercedes looked at the girl heartbroken, tossing a glare to the woman.
"Baby, you're not I promise." Sam said looking at her, "Go to room okay?"
Mercedes helped Madison off the counter, "Come on." She whispered in her ear taking her to the back. She walked her to her bed and sat her on her lap, "It's going to be okay."
Madison snuggled into Mercedes's side sniffling, "I-I don't want to go with her."
Mercedes rubbed her back, "It's going to be okay sweetheart." She kissed her forehead. She had just met this little girl last night and she felt like she have known her for years.
Mercedes tucked her white button down shirt into her skirt, tossing on her black jacket. She pulled her hair back into a low ponytail. She pulled out the tube of red lipstick and ran it smoothing across her lips. Closing it back up, she shakily sat it down on the counter. Rolling her neck from side to side as she looked at the picture in a daze.
"My client is truly sorry but he's not responsible. He made a bad decision and it's going to be haunting him for the rest of his life. So please show some mercy."
Mercedes looked on as she held Maverick protectively to her chest.
The judge looked at them shaking his head, "Do the jury had a verdict."
The woman stood up, "Yes your honor. On the count of murder two, we found the defendant not guilty." She looked at Mercedes sympathetically, "On the count of manslaughter one, we found the defendant...not guilty." There was a collective gasp in the courtroom.
Mercedes closed her eyes as she felt tears coming down her face. She felt her mother wrap her arms around her, telling her it was going to be okay.
Mercedes jumped when she heard a knock on the bathroom door. She took a calming breath as she walked over and opened it.
"You okay?" Maverick asked.
"Shouldn't you be at school?" She asked crossing her arms as she raised a brow at him.
"I was just making sure you were okay. I know this is going to be a tough day and I just wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine." She gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Don't worry about me."
"It's my job to worry about you."
"It's not." She looked at him, "Go to school."
"Mom.."
"Go." She glared at him.
Maverick rolled his eyes, "I love you." He turned and walked down the stairs.
"Love you too." She sighed as she watched him leave. Turning around to grabbed phone, seeing she had a text from Sam. She smiled when she read it.
I just want to thank you again for helping me with Madison. She adores you already. Good luck in court today, I know you have this Jones.
"I hope I have it Sam." She threw her phone in her purse, "I hope I have it."
Sam sighed as he opened the double doors to the large conference room. He sat at the further end of the table with his lawyer Vanessa. He rolled his eyes when he saw her come in.
"Don't think anything is going to change Sam. You will not win." Nicole said through gritted teeth before she was shushed by her lawyer.
The judge walked through the door and nodded. She sat at the head of the table, "Mr. Evans you are seeking to get full custody of your daughter, Madison Grace Evans, am I correct."
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay, I have read your complaint on Ms. Bridges over here and I'm quite shocked at some of the things that has happened to you, Mr. Evans. As I looked through the paperwork from the last time you two were in court and I have to say, you did not receive fair treatment."
"This is really stupid." Nicole muttered.
"Shut up Nicole." Her lawyer said.
"And what's so stupid about this Mrs. Bridges?" The judge said.
Vanessa smirked lightly at her shaking her head, "Can I just say that my client had reasonable reason to not want his daughter around her."
Judge Sanders hummed as she looked through the papers, "I want to speak to the child."
Chris watched as Mercedes came in with apprehensive look on her face. He pulled out the chair for her, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She thanked him as she sat in the chair. Grunting when she heard the most irritating voice ever.
"Ms. Jones." Michael smirked at her, "You're looking quite lovely for a person who's about to loose."
"Screw you Andrews." Chris said looking at him.
He raised his hands in surrender, "Just speaking the truth." He leaned down to Mercedes, "You're a great lawyer but you're not ready for this." He winked at her going to his spot.
"I fucking hate him." Mercedes said through clinched teeth.
"Don't listen to him. Just stay focus." Chris whispered to her as he sat by her.
Mercedes nodded, she turned when she heard voices. She smiled softly at the family when they waved at her. She had talked to them all Monday morning about details over the case and they told her that they had faith in her and knew that she was going to get justice for their daughter. That made her heart fluttered that they had put so much trust in her and made her feel like she could win this thing for sure. I'm going to get justice for you Lacey she thought to herself. Turning back around she stood when the bailiff announced the judge's arrival.
"How do you plea?"
"Not guilty." He said in a irritated tone.
"You might want to talk to you client Mr. Andrews. Attitude will not get him anywhere." The judge gave them a warning. When he nodded, he turned to Mercedes, "Prosecutor go ahead with your opening statement."
Mercedes stood up tugging on her jacket as she walked in front of the jury, "Lacey Smith was your typical teenager. She was a honor student, cheerleader, and involved in many curricular activities. Last Thursday night, she had volunteered to go to the store for her mother to pick up some items for dinner. Lacey went into the store, grabbed the items and came right back out. She then proceeded to get in car and drive home. But unfortunately, she didn't make it that night. Adam White went to the bar that same night, proceeded to drink ten bottles of beer and four tequila shots. Witnesses says he stumbled to his car and got in. He then drove a half a mile to a red light, which he ran the light causing him to hit drivers side of the car. She died instantly due to the contact." She turned to the defense table, "An innocent life was taken by someone who decided to be stupid and drive under the influence. Ladies and gentleman of the jury, this man is guilty." She said as she nodded towards them as she walked back to her seat. She couldn't help but let a small smirk form on her lips when she saw Michael seething in his seat.
"That's was fucking good." Chris whispered towards her.
Mercedes smiled at him, shifting her attention back to the judge.
Sam was outside pacing as he waited for Madison to come out from talking to the judge. He sighed running his fingers through his hair.
"Relax." Vanessa put a calming hand on his shoulder, "Everything is going to be okay."
"I hope so." He looked at Nicole who was sending him a glare. He jumped when the door open, looking at his daughter who had a bright smile on her face.
Madison ran to him, "I love you daddy." She hugged him around the waist.
"I love you too baby." He bend down and kissed her forehead. Looking up he saw the the officer come back asking to take her back to the waiting room.
"See that's all he does is baby her." Nicole spatted out. She was annoyed at the interaction between them.
"And you think hitting her is okay?" He yelled at her.
"Okay, you two back in the room..now." The judge said as she watched them come back in, "I have made my decision and I am sticking with it. I am granting you, Sam Evans with full custody rights Madison Grace Evans." She looked over to Nicole, "How could you call yourself a mother? You treated this man so wrong and what you did in the past was execrable. Your daughter came in here, sweetest little girl ever and she told me everything. Nicole Bridges, you better be lucky I'm not putting you behind bars." The stood from her chair and opened the door, "Have a nice day and your paperwork will be waiting for you Mr. Evans."
Sam smiled brightly at her, "Thank you so much."
"You son of a bitch." She lunged at Sam, only to be stopped by the officer, "Don't for one second think this is over asshole."
Sam stepped up to her, "It's over. I fought for my rights and you're never getting near my daughter again." He walked away not giving her another glance. He was so happy that this was over.
Maverick slid through the door and sat at the back of the courtroom. He decided to cut school today to come see his mom in action. Sure she was going to kill him when she found out but for now he was going to stay low and watch from the back.
"My client did make a mistake that night. He drove while under the influence but he shouldn't go to jail for the rest of his life."
"And why shouldn't he? He took an innocent life. He still gets to see his family and hugged them. Lacey's family was stripped from that. They can't see their daughter anymore because of your client." Mercedes argued.
"Ms. Jones clearly you don't understand-
"No Mr. Andrews, clearly you don't understand what's going on here. Your client killed an innocent girl."
The judge hit gavel against the surface, "Tone it down you two. We going to take a five minute recess and we are going to have the closing statements and the verdict."
Mercedes sighed leaning back in her chair, ignoring the glares that was coming from the defense table. She nodded her head when Chris asked if she wanted some water.
Lindsey came up behind her squeezing her shoulders, "You're doing great."
"I feel like I'm going to past out."
"You're not. Just relax and lets finish strong." She smiled at her as she walked back down the aisle. Her eyes bugged when she saw a familiar face. Walking towards him, "Your mom is going to kill you for skipping."
"I know, I just had to come today. You know for..moral support." He smiled up at her.
Lindsey shook her head at him, "And I'm going to be there for moral support when she beats you into next week." She plucked the side of his head.
Maverick laughed at her quietly. He ducked down when saw his mom turned and talked to the parents.
The judge came back in, "Alright we will now have closing statements and then it's all in the jury's hands."
Michael stood up from his chair, "We know that he made a mistake. He should be punished but life imprisonment is a little excessive. Adam White does not deserve to spend the rest of his life in prison. Thank you."
Mercedes took a moment to gather her thoughts before she stood up, "Lacey was an innocent girl. She planned on going to UCLA next fall to major in criminal justice. Adam White took that away from her. Did he mean too? Probably not. But he made a stupid decision by getting into that car and driving drunk. I have done everything to make you see the right but the decision is up to you. I can't tell you what to do but I hope you make the right move. Thank you." Mercedes walked back her seat blowing out a extensive breath.
After barely an hour of deliberation the jury came back in. The judge looked at them, "Have you reach a verdict?"
"Yes we have your honor." He opened the folded piece of paper, "We the jury find the defendant Adam White.." Mercedes closed her eyes tightly, "Guilty of involuntary manslaughter."
Mercedes let herself breathe a little. It wasn't the charge she was looking for but it would do. She smiled up at Chris when he squeezed her hand.
"Adam White, I hear by sentence you to ten years in imprisonment and while you're are in there, I'm also entering you into alcoholic rehabilitation program. Court is now adjourned."
Lacey's parents ran and hugged Mercedes. Her mother cried, "Thank you so much."
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more. He should be in there longer."
"You did all you could do and we appreciate everything you have done." Mr. Smith said with a smile, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She hugged them a little longer. When they pulled back, she made them promise to keep in touch. Turning to Chris she squealed, "I did it."
Chris hugged her, "I told you." He looked over her shoulder and saw Michael glaring at them, smirking as he rolled his eyes.
Mercedes couldn't help but be proud. She couldn't wait to tell Sam all about it. Pulling back from Chris, "Maybe you'll be able to sleep in the bed tonight." She giggled.
"Hopefully so." He grabbed his briefcase, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Bye." She said as she watched him walk out the door. She squinted when she saw someone ducking behind the chair. Seeing the curly top of the person head, she knew exactly who it was, "I am going to kill him."
A/N. Love or Hate it? Let me know because I LOVE hearing from you guys. I will be trying to get multiple updates for all of my stories out this week because school starts back on Aug. 8th for me. Hope you are enjoying this Samcedes adventure because from here on out, there's going to be TONS of fluff. :)