DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ANYTHING ELSE.
ENJOY :)
Sam smirked as he walked out of the bathroom, his eyes wondering down Mercedes's back. He smiled as he moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing kisses against her warm skin.
Mercedes was standing in front of the mirror placing a fresh coat of mascara on when she saw Sam come behind her. Sending him a smile through the mirror as shivers ran down her skin from his kisses, "Don't start anything you can't finish."
"Who said I can't finish?" He mumbled against her neck as he ran his hands along her sides.
Mercedes rubbed her lips together after putting on some lips gloss before looking at him, "I do.."
"Come on Cedes.." He whined as he moved his hands underneath her shirt, toying with the ends of her bra.
"Babe..no.." She pulled his hands from under her shirt and turned around, ignoring the pout on his lips, "We have to go to dinner." She pulled him by his tie, pressing a sweet, teasing kiss against his lips, "But I promise I'll make it up to you tonight."
"I like the sound of that." Sam mumbled against her lips before he kissed her again, "You know, preferably, I'll like to see you in that purple bikini again.."
Mercedes squished his lips together before she moved away from him, grabbing her clutch and walking out the room, "Not happening.."
"But why not?" He groaned as he grabbed his wallet and phone, stuffing them in his pocket, hitting off the light as he followed behind her.
"Because I said so.." Mercedes sassed as she straighten out her skirt, walking down the stairs carefully in her heels.
Sam frowned, letting out a sigh as he hit the bottom step. His frown started to melt when he saw Madison holding Savannah in her arms. His two beautiful girls were still dressed beautifully in their dresses from earlier.
Mercedes went over and picked Spencer up out of his walker, "Is everyone ready?" She shifted him in her arms as she moved over to move Madison's side bangs from out of her face. When they nodded, she smiled and made her way out the door.
Sam made sure he closed and locked the front door before he move to his truck to help Mercedes put the twins in their car seats.
The family made it safely to Hillstone Steakhouse for Maverick's graduation after party. Mercedes has been in a ball of emotions all day. Seeing him walk across that stage this afternoon was so bittersweet. She was super proud of him and what he has accomplished.
"Do you know where you going to school at in the fall?" Stacey asked Maverick as she fed Spencer some of her mash potatoes.
"I actually do." Maverick said with a smile before he looked over to his parents, "I haven't told mom and dad but I guess this is a better time than ever. I know I have been wanting to get to UCLA for a long time but I've change my mind. I'm going to be going to The University of Texas in Austin."
"What? I thought you always wanted to go to school here." Luke said to his nephew as he held Savannah in his arms.
"Yeah, I thought UCLA was your dream school.." Brandon asked as he looked at him curiously.
"I know but a lot has changed you know." Maverick drifted off shrugging, playing with the straw in his drink, "We went there for a school tour and I like it there and I think it would be good change of scenery for awhile."
Everyone congratulated and told Maverick how proud they were of him and wished him well.
"How do you feel about that Aunt Cedes?" Beth asked as she poured her dressing over her salad.
"It's his decision." Mercedes said with a strained smile, placing a piece of her sauce covered steak in her mouth.
Sam looked at Mercedes questionably. She looked hurt but was covering up with a fake smile. He moved his hand underneath the table and tapped her hip. When she turned to him, he gestured his head to the patio as he stood up.
Mercedes sighed as she wiped her mouth, standing up, "Excuse us."
"Wanky.." Santana called out, lifting her wine glass up to the couple.
Sam rolled his eyes as he grabbed his wife's hand, leading her out the door, searching for a secluded corner. He turned and stared into her eyes, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She lied as she tried to pull hand from him, struggling as he held her with a tight grip.
"Don't lie to me Mercedes..." His green eyes stared directly into her brown ones.
Mercedes bit down on her lip as she looked away, letting out a deep breath as her eyes started to well up with tears, "I mean..I knew he was going to leave someday and a part of me was not so worried because he was going to be close to home but he's going to be hours away and this is the first that we're hearing of it."
"Baby.." Sam said in a low tone as he gathered her up in his arms, kissing her forehead, "Sweetheart..he has to grow up sometime. He was probably just was scared of our reaction."
"Well..he should be scared of our reaction because he lied to us for the last two months saying he was going to one place when in actuality he's going somewhere else." She said sadly, a little anger laced in her tone.
"Okay, calm down.." Sam said as he rubbed her back, "Lets just go back in and enjoy his party with our family and we'll talk about this in the morning."
"Fine." She whispered as she wiped her face.
Sam leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips as he laced their fingers together, "I love you."
"I love you too." Mercedes said as she kissed him one last time before they walked back into the restaurant, enjoying the rest of the night with their family.
Maverick dragged himself off the couch when he heard the doorbell. He knew who was behind that door and what was coming and to be honest, he wasn't afraid of what was going to happen. He opened the door with a smile, moving aside so he could come in, "Hey.."
"Hey." Levi said with a small smile as he stepped inside the house, watching as Maverick closed the door. He let out a deep sigh when he faced him, "I didn't expect this to be so hard."
Maverick chuckled as he folded his arms across his chest, "Yeah, well..let me have it."
"Let me just start off by saying that I'm really glad that we have gotten to know each other in the last couple of months. Like seriously, you have helped me accomplish so much. And don't get me started on what an amazing boyfriend you are..because you are." He sighed again as he played with his hands, "We're just going our separate ways. I'm going to be in all the way in Europe while you're in Texas. I don't think we should hold each other back by being an a long distance relationship."
Maverick nodded as he listened to what he was saying, "I couldn't agree with you more and by us doing this, it doesn't mean that we've never cared for one another to just make this decision."
"Right..you know how much I care about you Maverick.." He smiled as he walked towards him with open arms.
"Same here.." Maverick said as he hugged him tightly, "Promise you'll come and visit?"
"I promise.." He pulled back and planted a long, sweet kiss on his lips. He looked at him and smiled, "Thank you for everything.."
Maverick let him go with a smirk, "Thank you for mending a poor guy's broken heart."
"I would do it all over again." He kissed him again before he moved towards the door, looking at him one last time, "See you later Maverick.."
"See you, Levi.." He watched as he waved and closed the door behind him. He shook his head with a smile. Levi was going to school in Europe and after he was finish, he was going to stay there to live with his brother. He was happy for him. Of course that meant their relationship was over but they were so happy that they could be still be friends and keep in contact with one another. Out of the relationship, Levi learned to always put himself first no matter what and to stop trying to please others. Maverick learned that it's alright to confide in someone when you're hurting. With eight sweet months together, the could happily end it on wonderful terms.
Mercedes walked down the steps, letting a small sigh escape her mouth as she held her sleeping daughter in her arms. Yes, she admitted it. She was upset last night about Maverick's decision. More so that he didn't tell her about it but she knew that she had to let him go someday. Seeing him at the front door, she walked over to him, "Hey."
Maverick came out of his thoughts when he saw his mother and sister, he smiled softly, "Hey.."
Mercedes shifted on her feet as she looked at him, rocking side from side, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was scared.." He said honestly as he moved his hand to play with his sister's curls, "Legit scared."
"It's just..It's your choice of course, but I just think you should've told me where you were going instead of letting us know two months before you are suppose to leave.."
"I know mom and I'm sorry.." He said softy as he looked at her, frowning slightly when he saw tears in her eyes, "Mama, why are you crying?"
"Because you're growing up Maverick.." She let out quietly as she sniffled, "It's just an emotional time for me, I'm sorry. I actually dreaded when this day would come because I knew, once you left, I was going to be all alone.."
"But you're not alone mama.."
"I know that but my twenty year old self didn't know and I guess that why I'm like this too because of how our life has turned out. Who would've expected me, a teenage single mother, life to turn out like it did? I have a good job, four amazing kids and a wonderful husband who loves me no matter what.." She cried out as she held Savannah's back, "And dammit Maverick, even with them, this is still so hard for me to let you go. Because for so long, it was just you and me. I raised you for fourteen years by myself. Your first lost tooth, teaching you how to tie your shoes, your first baseball game, it was just me and you. I thought your first day of kindergarten was hard but this is ten times worse. You're my baby, no matter how old you get, you're my baby.."
Maverick wiped his face as he listened to his mother talk. One thing he hated to see her do was cry. But listening to her reasons on why she was sad, he could understand. For so long, it has only been them and he knew that this was going to be hard for the both of them. He wrapped his arms around her and laid his head on her vacant shoulder, "I love you so much mommy, so much. And I know it's going to be hard for the both of us, especially you. But there is a bright side to this, I will be three hours away from Uncle B and Aunt Alyssa, so it's not like I won't have anyone there for me."
"I know.." She whispered quietly.
"I'm going to make you a promise." He stepped back and looked at her, "I promise that I will call and FaceTime you guys everyday, text you before and after class and come home for every holiday. Deal?" He held out his pinky for her to grab.
Mercedes laughed through her tears as she wrapped her own pinky around his with a smile, "Deal.." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, "I love you."
"I love you too.." He smiled at her, looking down when he saw his sister was wide awake, "Looks like we woke you up.."
"It's time for lunch anyways.." Mercedes said as she shifted her now awake daughter in her arms, "Lets go eat.." She turned and headed to the kitchen with Maverick in tow, both of the relieved that they could get this off of their chest.
"Mummy, we're going to be late.." Maverick called out as he sat on the couch, swinging his legs back and forth.
"I'm coming sweetheart." Mercedes said as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She grabbed her books and binder, stuffing the items in her book bag before the threw it on. She hit her light off as she walked to the living room, "I'm sorry baby, lets go."
Maverick jumped off the couch with a smile as he put on his ninja turtles book bag, opening to front door, he headed to the car and got in, buckling himself up in his seat.
Mercedes smiled at him. He was so independent, it wasn't even funny. Sitting her backpack in the passenger seat, she buckled herself up as she started the engine. Looking in the mirror as she backed out of the parking space, "Are you excited baby?"
"I am mummy. I am going to make a whole lotta bunch of friends."
Mercedes chuckled at his choice of words, turning on her signal light, "You are?"
"Mhm.." He looked at her through the mirror with a toothless grin, that reminded her so much of his father's, except for the toothless part.
"That means you are going to find a new best friend?" She fake sniffled as she drove down the street.
Maverick eyes went wide, panic struck in him when he heard her sniffling, "Oh no mummy, you are my bestest friend in the whole live world. Don't cry, I won't find a new bestest friend."
"Promise?" Mercedes said in a child-like voice.
"I promise.." He said without a beat.
Mercedes smiled as she continued to drive. After about ten minutes, she was holding her little boy's hand tightly as they walked down the hallway looking for his class. When they first entered the building, she started to regret this whole thing, "Are you sure you don't want to go back home?"
"Mummy, I am sure." He sighed as he looked at her with his big brown eyes.
Mercedes sighed as she came to a stop, looking over at the young perky teacher.
"Hi, what's your name little cutie?" She smiled down at Maverick.
"My name is Maverick Jones-Carter.." He stated proudly as he stared at her.
"Welcome Maverick. I'm Ms. Taylor and I'm going to be your teacher. Are you excited?" She smiled brightly when he nodded, "Good, we're going to have so much fun. You can go ahead and find your cubby."
Maverick turned to his mother and hugged her, "I love you."
"I love you too. If you feel like you don't want to do this, you call me." Mercedes felt her eyes water up as he let go of her hand and entered the room. She was not prepared for this at all.
Ms. Taylor saw the sadness in the young mother's eyes and she smiled sympathetically, patting her shoulder, "He's going to be just fine."
"Okay." She whispered as she continue to watch him. Her baby was growing up and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"We can sit it right there.."
Mercedes came out of her memory when she heard his voice. Sitting on the bed, she sighed as she watched them bring the boxes in the room. The last two months have flown by quickly. There were now here in Austin, helping Maverick set his things up in his dorm.
"Stepping over you Spence." Maverick chuckled as he carefully stepped over his little brother, who was happily crawling around the carpeted floor with his twin.
"I think they're enjoying the room way more than you are." Sam said with a laugh as he sat the last box down in the closet, "And we're finished."
Mercedes smiled at their kids, shaking her head. Hearing Sam's last comment, she felt her tears coming in full blast.
"Mom, please don't cry." Maverick said as she walked over to her.
"I'm n-not.." She lied as she tried to clear her throat but was failing miserably. She stood up from the bed and tried to compose herself.
Sam leaned against the door with a smirk, "You're a horrible liar Mercedes."
"Shut up Sam.." She whined as her tears fell.
Maverick chuckled as he hugged her close, "It's going to be okay, I promise.."
"I know.." She pulled back and gave him a sad smile, "Walk us out?"
"Of course.." He leaned down and picked up a squealing Savannah, watching as Sam picked up Spencer. He closed the door as they walked out and headed towards the elevators. Once they got outside, he left millions of little kisses on his little brother has sister, earning squeals from them both. He watched as Sam placed them in their car seats.
Madison smiled sadly as she walked over to Maverick and hugged him tightly, "I'm going to miss you."
Maverick picked her up and hugged her, "Me too but I promise I will talk to you everyday. You're the oldest now Madi, take care of our sister and brother."
I will." She whispered as she hung onto him, "I love you."
"I love you more." He said as he kissed her cheek, sitting her down to her feet. He watched as she got into the car and shut the door.
Sam pushed off the car as he went over to him, smirking softly as he hugged him, "Stay out of trouble and don't forget to use protection."
"Sam.." Mercedes glared at him.
"Babe, he's single and he's in college, you think he's not going to have a little fun." He looked at her before he looked at Maverick, "Just stay away from the athletes, they're nothing but trouble.."
"Besides that, he's need to focus on his school work Sam.."
"Yeah, that too.." Sam laughed loudly when he saw the look on his wife's face.
Maverick blushed furiously as he hugged him, "Thanks you. And not just for that, for everything. For coming into our life and making everything better. Thank you, dad."
"Shit.." Sam said as he felt himself getting emotional, "I swore I wasn't going to cry but dammit..I love you son, never forget that." He hugged him tightly before he let go.
Mercedes wiped her tears when she heard Maverick called Sam dad. It wasn't his first time doing it but every time he did say it, it meant something to all of them.
Maverick knew Sam never wanted to replaced his father and for that he respected him that much more. With all due respect his father, Maverick knew that he wasn't here and that wasn't his fault but Sam was here and he means so much to him. He walked over to his mother and hugged her, kissing her forehead.
Mercedes smiled at the gesture as she hugged him back, letting him go after awhile. They didn't need to share words because they have shared plenty previously but she was never not tell him those three little words, "I love you."
"I love you.." He watched as she walked to the passenger side, getting into the car. He took a deep breath and mustered a smile to his family, "See you at Thanksgiving.." He waved as he turned on his heels and headed back up the steps.
They all smiled at him before Sam started up the car, looking at him one last time before pulling off. Sam took his free hand and intertwined it with Mercedes's.
Mercedes smiled over at Sam as she brought their conjoined hands up to her lips, kissing them sweetly before she turned her attention back in the road. This was a start of an amazing new journey for the Evans family.
A/N. I AM AN EMOTIONAL, SOBBING MESS!