DISCLAIMER: I DO NOW OWN GLEE BUT THIS ONE SHOT I DO!

ENJOY :)

It was a breezy but warm Saturday morning, the people were walking throughout the street, buying jams, fruits, handmade jewelry, and some more things that the locals were selling. For him, it's been a while since he has been here…this town precise. Three years to be exact. Before the pandemic hit, he was scheduled to make a trip after those two but after things started to get bad, he decided that he would stay put in his Chicago apartment.

He watched her for a long while before going over. Taking in her ethereal appearance. She had on a yellow sundress that just made her features pop for whatever reason. Speaking of features, his eyes move to look at her face. Entranced by arranging the peaches in the right spot, he found that she was wearing the big glasses that framed her face perfectly. Her skin was glowing in which it always did. Her hair was pinned back into a low bun, and wrapped around it were daisies. That girl loved her some daises. This was when he started to slowly make his way to her, hoping nobody ruined the surprise.

The woman smiled at the other woman in front of her as she handed her the bag, "I'm sure she's going to love this new recipe. Tell her I did it with her in mind."

"Such a sweetheart, Mercedes. I know your mama is proud of you. I sure will tell her and I'll see you next week."

Mercedes gave her a wave before pulling her mask down for a second, getting a breather before taking a sip of her water, not realizing the man had made his way to the other side of her table.

"I hope you didn't ruin your mama's famous jams without your curiosity."

"Never." Mercedes sat her cup down, a chuckle escaping her mouth as she knew who it was, despite the voice being deeper. She turned around and found his green eyes on her brown one, "It's mine, you eavesdropper."

"I was just about to say. You can't outshine the originator, sweetie, so don't even try."

"Never in my wildest dreams." She said with as she looked at him with a smile, "The Famers Market Thief is back in town. You must've snuck in because this place wouldn't be buzzing."

Sam smiled at the nickname, "I did, actually. You're my first stop actually."

"It's been awhile, that big fancy job kept you so busy you couldn't come down anymore huh?"

"More like this pandemic but I'm going to ignore that because I believe you acknowledged you want to see me…meaning you missed me." He watched as she rolled her eyes, prompting his to smile, "Well, I've missed you too. How have you been, Miss Cedes."

"I can't complain I reckon." Mercedes lifted her eyes to stare at him, "Life's been keeping me busy. Raising the youngins', all while keeping this business going."

"How are the kids?"

"Teenagers you mean? Moody, irritating, money hungry but at least I can't say lazy." She laughed at that, "I couldn't imagine life without them."

"Everybody needs a bit insanity from time to time." He commented all while grabbing something out of his pocket, which just so happened to be 2,000 rolled tightly and unmovable by a rubber band. He grabbed ahold of her hand and placed it in there, closing her hand over it, "For you, my dear."

"Why you dropping' all this dough in hand, Sam Evans?"

"Retributions for my thieving ways." He said as he looked at her seriously, raising a brow, "People do got to make a living round here, right?"

Mercedes stared at him and smiled as she shook her head once she realized he used her own words against her, "Right." There was no since in auguring because she'll never admit it out loud, but Sam was a hard man to back down from.

"Just so you know, the first couple of times were intentional but after that, I was doing it purposely just so I can see you."

"Bless your heart." Mercedes commented as she watched him chuckle as she put the money up, prompting her to speak some more, "My mom and grandma actually told me that too but I didn't believe them."

"You should've listen to your elders, you know they're wise." Sam just smiled as she rolled her eyes. He turned his head when he heard someone call him.

"Hey Sam, I ain't seen you in a month of Sundays, how you been?"

"Hey Grey, been doing good, how about yourself?

"Can't complain brother, can't complain." He responded as he looked at the woman, "Hey Miss Mercedes."

"Hi Greyson, your usual?"

"Yes and the kids say you have something new with bacon. They told me you let them try them on some honey biscuits and now they told me they weren't going to talk to me again if I didn't bring them some."

"Blueberry Bacon Jam." Mercedes giggled as she grabbed the bag and nodded, picking up a jar and showing it to him. Greyson and his family lived down the street from her and his kids came to visit her every day for about an hour, watching her make her perseveres and even helping out with packing them, "I owe them two actually for giving me a hand. Let me pack it up for you."

Greyson turned back to Sam, watching as the man picked up a peach, "How long you in town for?"

"Depends on how long it takes me to secure my future wife over there." He gestured to Mercedes with a teasing smile.

Greyson glanced at the man as he saw how he was looking at Mercedes, who was trying so hard to not pay him any mind. He handed her the money when she handed him the bag and thanked him before looking at back at Sam, patting his shoulder, "Well, good luck. She's tough as nails but I think she's soften a bit since you've last seen her."

"Bye Greyson Lee." Mercedes ushered the man, watching as he laughed and walked away, her eyes going back to the man who has yet to leave her alone, "Sam Evans, what makes you think that I'm a tad bit interested in even going out with you, let alone be your wife? And besides, I could be dating already or even be engaged, your never asked."

"I would've heard through that grape vine, so please save that." Sam just smiled at her as he leaned forward, their faces so close together that anyone within the distance of them would think they were kissing, some even hoping with these two.

"One gaze don't smothered me. I'm not smitten with you like these girls round here." Mercedes countered as she smirked at their close proximity, "You should know that."

"Summer '06." Was all he said, a little too loud for her liking, before moving away, watching the smirk drop from her lips as she stepped back, eyes wide.

"Hold on, I'm coming."

"Hush your mouth." Mercedes glared at him for a moment as she pointed her finger, "We swore we would never speak on that again."

"Don't panic, please don't. I'm almost there."

"My fingers were crossed behind my back, so…you should know me." He shrugged with a smirk as he bit into the peach and stepped back himself, "I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon."

"I didn't agree to anything." Mercedes called after him as he continued to walk away, ignoring her words, "You're paying for that too."

"I would be a dishonor to my nickname if I did, ma'am." Sam smiled and gave her a wink before walking away. Oh, she was madder than a wet hen. Good.

Mercedes groaned lowly as turned around, finding her little sister, who just magically appeared with a big smile on her face, "Stop smiling."

One thing about it, Sam Evans has always been too big for his britches but somehow, he always found a way, regardless of the outcome.

A/N. There's a Part II, so you understand this better and when you do….*heart eyes*