Enjoy!
Book Eight : The Nurse and The Officer by Rontora
Part Two
"Dad?" Bailey asked, running over to them. "What are you doing here?"
"Dad?" Mercedes asked, putting her ladle down. "I am sorry I was thrown by the filming…why were you filming us?"
"I uh...I was… Bailey, I was worried about you; you don't go to strangers' homes." Sam said, trying to change the subject.
"Dad, I am not a little kid anymore! You are embarrassing me! I can't believe you would do this!" Bailey said, shaking her head.
Sam stepped back, confused as to why she was acting rather emotional. "Bailey, you need to calm down; I am your father. I was worried about you; I have a right to be worried."
Mercedes took a breath and stepped in front of Sam. "Kiki, how about you guys go get Bailey's things and a few things that got out for her." The two girl's headed off as Mercedes took a break; she told Bailey she would tell her dad, so this was it.
"Can I get you something to drink, Mr…"
"Evans, Sargent Evans," Sam said, folding his arms across his broad chest.
"Your name is Sargent, or are you pulling rank here?"
"Both," Sam smirked.
"And do you have a first name, Sargent Evans?"
Sam looked at her for a moment. "Sam."
"Well, Sargent Sam, it's nice to meet you; I am Mercedes Jones…I am Kiki's Aunt."
Sam nodded as he watched her walk away, his eyes looking around the place as she did.
"Sam, I asked if you wanted something to drink?"
"Oh no, I am just waiting on Bailey so we can go." Sam assured her, and she shook her head, tapping the island.
"Please have a seat; I need to talk to you." She used her reassuring nurse's voice, adding a soft smile, hoping he would listen to her.
Sam eyed her and stepped closer. "What's going on?"
"Bailey asked me to speak with you."
He raised an eyebrow. "About what? My daughter knows she can talk to me about anything."
Mercedes nodded. "I felt the same way about my dad, I still do, but there are…certain conversations that a girl feels more comfortable talking to another woman about…." Mercedes said.
"Another woman? Look, no offense, but Bailey has been doing just fine talking to me. And if she can't talk to me, then she has my mom and sister, so thanks, but we don't need your help." Sam said, moving towards the door.
"Actually, you do. She started her period today and couldn't reach your mom and sister." Mercedes said after him.
Sam froze, turning around to her slowly. "But she's only 12."
Mercedes laughed. "I started when I was 9, so it can be any age, I didn't mean to overstep, but she was scared and couldn't find anyone to help her."
Sam shook his head. "This is crazy." He ran his hand through his short sandy blonde hair. "I am not…I don't know how to…my mom, she was gonna handle this."
Mercedes went to the fridge and grabbed the pitcher of half tea and half lemonade. Pouring herself and Sam a glass, she sat down and then pushed the glass towards him.
Sam eyed her before moving toward her and sitting down. "I knew this was coming, but…I wasn't prepared…how do you prepare for this?"
"Sam, you are a man; you can't prepare for this; we barely prepare for it, but what she needs is your support; your little girl is growing up, and when her Aunt Flo is here, she will turn into an emotional mess."
Sam looked at her, confused. "Aunt Flo?"
Mercedes laughed. "Her period. We call it Aunt Flo because it's easier to bring into the conversation. Oh, Bailey isn't able to come to the party her aunt flow is visiting, you know?"
Sam sighed. "Oh…okay." He ran his hand through his hair. "And so what do I do? Throw her a party? Take her shopping?"
"I gave her a few things to help until your sister and mom come back, she should be okay, but Sam take it from a daddy's girl; it will make her smile to know you would go to the store and grab her pads for her."
Sam was quiet for a long time before taking a sip of a drink. "Can I ask…are tampons and pads the same thing?"
Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "Okay, so tampons are little pads about the size of lipstick that you insert, and pads are big pads you attach to your underwear; I suggested that for now, she stick with the pads, but it's a choice you all can make."
Sam took another drink and sighed. "This is really good."
"Thanks…my special recipe." She looked back towards Kiki's room. "Bailey is a good kid; she is welcome here anytime."
"Thank you, once you pass the background check, I am sure that won't be a problem."
Mercedes put her glass down and placed her hand on her hip. "Excuse me?"
"Sam looked at her, confused. "What I say?"
"You are gonna do a background check on me?"
Sam nodded. "Gotta make sure anyone hanging out with my daughter is above board."
"You are a psycho; you don't just background check people; you talk to them, get to know them, then with any red flags, you do the human thing and ask around til you get your answer!"
"Yeah, well, your house color choice is a red flag, so…" Sam stated and stopped seeing her glare at him.
Mercedes reached over and grabbed the glass right out of his hand.
"Hey! I was enjoying that!"
"Yeah, well, since I am some criminal, you really shouldn't drink the things I offer. You can leave now."
"Pardon my honesty, but you are being really crazy right now. Are you on your period too?" Sam asked before he could stop himself.
Mercedes's eyes widened as she stepped close to him. "Get. Out!"
Before Sam could reply, Bailey and Kiki walked out of Kiki's room. Bailey was carrying the bag of things Mercedes had given her. "I'm ready, dad."
Mercedes looked over to Bailey and replaced her frown with a smile. "Okay, Bay, remember what I said? Any sign of issues and you can't reach anyone, give me a call." Going to the fridge Mercedes pulled out a Tupperware container, then grabbed the second one off the counter. "Here is dinner and the brownies, there is enough for you and your dad, but I am okay with you eating it all yourself."
Bailey nodded, grabbing the things and stopping for a moment to give Mercedes a small hug. "Thank you."
She turned towards Sam, who didn't know what to say, so he tipped his fake hat with a smile. "Miss. Mercedes, Kiki."
Mercedes rolled her eyes and sighed, looking over to Kiki, "Gorgeous man, horrible personality."
Kiki giggled. "Daddy always said you had too high of standards."
"Your daddy has a big mouth." She laughed. "Come on, let's grab some brownies and a movie before bed."
Sam walked out of the house, following Bailey as they walked back to their home. "Bay, are you okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah, MJ helped me not feel so confused. She's really nice."
"MJ?"
"Yea, that's what Kiki calls her, and it stands for Mercedes Jones. Did you know she's a nurse?"
"Considering I just met her, I can honestly say no, I didn't."
Bailey smiled. "She is a great cook too; this is spaghetti with ground turkey, bell peppers, and cheese, and it's so good. And then she made these double fudge brownies and said they would make me feel better, and they really did."
Sam listened to his daughter as they entered their house and smiled; it was really nice to know that there were still some good people out there. His phone rang, and Sam turned to Bailey. "Bay, how about you warm up the dinner, and afterward, we can call Stacey and Nana?"
Bailey nodded, walking towards the kitchen; if the food was terrible, they could always order takeout, but from what he observed, she kept a clean house, and that drink was delicious. Answering his phone, he sat down, removing his boots once again. "Hey Mike."
"Sam, what are you doing this weekend?"
"I dunno, why?"
"Lancelot has been requested, and it's been a few weeks since you were at the club."
Sam sighed. "I dunno, last time we went, there really wasn't anyone interesting, I have pretty much played with all the regulars, and none of them really spiked my interest for a second glance."
"I have it on good authority that they are opening their doors to a few new members. Come on and have some fun." Mike encouraged.
"Who all will be there?"
"Artie and Puck, come on, I will make sure you have a good time."
Sam sighed. "Let me think about it; I would have to get a new mask and a tan. It's a lot for just one night."
"You don't have to tan; that is something you and Puck started to try and come off as different guys."
"Hey, he's in the Military, and I am a Cop; even though the club is legit, I still don't want people to know it's me."
"Hence going heavy with the southern accent."
Sam laughed. "All a part of Sir Lancelot's identity. Though it doesn't matter, no one gets the name, nor do they ever live up to what I need. I mean, they get the job done, but they submit too easily. I need a challenge."
Mike sighed. "Well, let's find you a challenge this weekend."
"Bay is going with my mom, so I suppose I can try it one more time. But that is it."
Mike laughed. "Good, because I have a feeling this weekend is going to be one for the record books."
"And why is that?"
"Well, that girl I was talking to on the clubs' website is coming this weekend, and she is bringing some friends, so we finally get to meet."
Sam shook his head. "Mike, just be careful."
"That's why you are coming with me; if anything looks shady, you will let me know."
Mercedes laid back in her bed, closing her eyes as her phone rang. She would have ignored it, but Santana was not one to stop calling. "What's up, San?"
"What are you doing this weekend?"
Mercedes sighed. "Well, I have to work the night shift on Saturday, so my parents are taking Kiki after school on Friday; that's about it."
"Good, I am coming over with Q, Tina, and Rachel, and we are going to my Club Friday night."
"Yeah, I am not doing that."
"Oh yes you are! You said, and I quote… if I ever move back to Lima the moment I get settled, I am checking out your club. Well, honey, you are settled."
Damn it. "San, I dunno if SNIXX is actually my scene."
"It is," Santana assured her. "Tell me what color you are wearing, and I will bring you your mask."
"You aren't gonna let this go are you?"
She heard Santana laugh. "Nope!"
"Fine, I will go. And just pick whatever mask I really don't care about it."
