Happy Holidays! Chapter 7 is here, and I hope you enjoy! Wishing your and yours well! Here is a gift from me to you!
Sam ran out the door to catch her as she got to her car. "Mercedes, don't do this!"
"Don't do what, Sam? I am just getting in my car and going home." She said calmly. "You should go back to Malibu, Barbie. She's sure to be missing her Ken doll right about now."
"That's just rude." He said with a smile that Mercedes wanted to slap off his face.
"I gotta go, Sam."
Mercedes rolled her eyes, looking at him and then turning to get in the car, but Sam stopped her.
"You're jealous. That's why you are acting like this."
Mercedes' eyes widened. "Jealous of what? That?" She said, pointing to Penny.
"Yes, that! You are jealous thinking that she and I are engaged. Admit it." Sam teased.
Mercedes frowned. "This is not a joke! I don't find any of this funny! And lets be clear here, no one is jealous. I just couldn't take any more of her talking. How can you stand it? The old you, he wouldn't be with someone like that." Mercedes said, shaking her head.
Sam lifted her chin so she could look him in the eyes, but she pulled away from him. "Stop touching me. I can't…."
Sam sighed. "I am still the old me. Mercedes, she and I are dating, but we are not engaged. And she came here thinking she was saving the day, but she is just making things worse."
Mercedes shrugged. "It seems to me you have a personal problem you need to take care of. It doesn't matter to me, Sam. But I have to ask if you aren't engaged, why didn't you correct her in the paper?"
"Because I was more focused on what you and Malaya thought of me than what she thinks or even the world. If I thought she ruined this for me, ruined us for me."
"Ruined us? There isn't an us, Sam."
Sam grew bold and stepped closer to her. "You sure about that?"
Mercedes inhaled angrily. "You don't get it, do you?"
"No, I don't, so please tell me."
"Sam, you are an asshole. You are sitting here flirting with me while you have a whole-ass relationship over there."
Sam shook his head. "Mercedes, it's not…."
"Sammy, we need to get going." Penny yelled after him.
Mercedes nodded. "Yes, Sammy, you go ahead and deal with your relationship. I am leaving. I am going to make an appointment for you to go get tested with Malaya, so there is no mistake about whether or not I am lying."
"Mercedes, I know you aren't lying. I know that you are telling the truth. I can look at that little girl and know she is mine."
"Yeah, well, I don't know if you are lying or not. And if you are gonna try and take her from me, I want to be ahead of the game and prepared."
She opened her door fully and got into the car. Sam held the door. "Mercedes, I am not taking her from you. I told you I wasn't going to do that."
"Yeah, you did. You also told me you weren't with Penny, and there you are. It seems that woman has a hold on you, and I am not going to let her mix my daughter in with that. So we are getting a paternity test done. And then I will figure out what the next step is."
She grabbed her door and slammed it out of Sam's hand, starting the car and driving off.
Sam looked at her and frowned as she drove off. Penny walked over to him. "Sam, I really don't like the way you treated me. I deserve more respect than that."
"Penny! It's like you aren't listening to me, so listen up. We are not engaged, and we are not going to be together. Penny, you came in here, and instead of asking what I wanted, you assumed, and you might have just screwed everything up!"
"Sam, you need to tell me what is going on here and tell me now." Penny said.
"The story is true. I knew Mercedes was pregnant, and I left her. There were reasons behind it, but none of them matter because I have a daughter who needs me."
Penny looked at Sam for a long moment before nodding. "Sam, this sucks, but I am glad you told me. We can figure this out together. Provide a united front and make sure that you get your daughter."
Sam laughed, shaking his head. "Get my daughter? I am not taking her from her mom."
"Why the hell not? Can't you see how great this can be? We get ahead of it. Say the fight was that you caught her out drinking instead of being a mom. We make it seem like she left you. Like you have been searching for her. Turn the narrative on her and her skeletons, and we can-"
"PENNY SHUT THE HELL UP!" Sam screamed, and she stepped back.
"I am not hurting her like that, not hurting either of them. You get in that car and go to Cancun. I am going to make a statement soon about all of this. But until I do, I don't want to hear anything more in the news about this!" Sam warned.
"Sam, I don't know why you are upset. I am just looking out for you! Someone has to."
"Penny, I can look out for my damn self! Just go."
Sam said, turning and walking away from her.
"What if I was pregnant? Would you leave me too?" Penny said, staring at him.
"But you aren't, so we will never know." Sam said, still walking away, not knowing that the conversation was being recorded by a passerby.
"Well, that was a clusterfuck," Stevie said, staring at Sam as he walked inside.
"Ya think? This is just…ugh!"
Mary stared at Sam. "Well, from here, it looked like you screwed that up with both Mercedes and Penny."
"Mom, I could care less what Penny thinks right now."
"Samuel, I may think that girl is nuts and a couple burgers shy of a happy meal, but you made her believe that you loved her. So you better fix it with her as well. I will not have you going around breaking people's hearts because you don't know how to keep that thing in your pants!" Mary said sternly.
"Mom! You don't even like her!"
"Don't mom me! Sam, these are women with feelings! I don't have to like her to want you to treat her like a person. You fix it with her, and you fix it with Mercedes. I will not be embarrassed by you!"
Sam sighed after she walked away from them. "It's not like I asked to be surrounded by crazy women."
"Excuse me, who the hell are you calling crazy!" Mary boomed, walking back into room.
"No one!" Sam said quickly as she eyed him and walked back out of the room.
Stevie burst out laughing, and Sam tossed a pillow at him angrily.
TMZ Breaking News: "In the story we are following about Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Sam Evans has made a statement regarding his situation."
"I have a statement, and I will not be taking any questions. The rumors going around are true. I did have a child when I was 17. Out of respect to the mother and my child, that is all I am going to say on the matter. When it comes to Penny Owen, we are not engaged; we are not dating. None of this has any effect on me or how I play the game, so I ask that you respect my privacy and that of my family. Thank you."
It had been a few days since Mercedes had spoken to Sam. Malaya hadn't brought him up, and she knew it was just a matter of time before she would. Walking into the young girl's room, Mercedes leaned against the door, watching her play. Mercedes's father had done a swab at home to make her feel more comfortable, and she had heard from him that Sam went in to do the same.
She appreciated the fact that he didn't give the reporters her name or information, it allowed her and Malaya time to adjust without being followed. And as for talking, Sam had been respectful in keeping his distance, sending texts to ask if she and Laya were okay or if she would ever speak to him again. Mercedes wasn't sure if they had anything to talk about, but she was open to it. She didn't hate Sam; he was who he always was, and she was just disappointed in finding it out.
"Momma?"
Mercedes was taken out of her thoughts by Malaya. "Yes Lil nugget?"
"Can I…do you think we can invite my- Sam to go skating with us tonight?"
Mercedes forced a smile; she really didn't want to relive skating with Sam, it was one of the things they did that made her fall for him when they were younger, but she would do anything for Malaya. Even this.
"Of course, sweetie. How about I dial, and you ask him."
"Me?" She asked, surprised.
"Yes, if you want. I think he would like that."
She nodded. "Okay."
Mercedes dialed Sam's number and sighed as she sat next to Malaya, hoping and praying Sam wouldn't break her little girl's heart.
Sam ran to his phone, heart racing when he saw it was Mercedes calling.
"Uh, Mercedes, hi."
"Da- Sam?" came a small voice.
"Malaya?" He asked, surprised.
"Uh huh….we are going skating tonight. Wanna come?"
Sam could feel warmth spread in his chest at her question. "I would love to come, Lil one."
"Really?"
"Really, truly!"
"Momma, he said yes!" Sam smiled widely as he heard Mercedes whisper to her and then Malaya speak. "Momma is going to send you the information. Bye!"
"Bye."
Malaya beamed at Mercedes. "We gotta get ready to go."
Mercedes nodded. "Let me send him the information, and then we can."
An hour and a half later, Malaya sat on the bench as Mercedes placed and tied her skates. Malaya wore a pair of thick pink tights, a ballerina skirt, a white sweater, and matching pink earmuffs and gloves.
Mercedes stood, happy it wasn't that cold outside, as she wore a pair of jeggings, an ivory sweater, and a swooped neck. Standing on her skates, she helped pulled Malaya up and smiled brightly.
"Are you ready?"
The little girl nodded nervously.
"Laya, I know you haven't done this since last year, but it's like riding a bike. And I am not going to let go of you."
"I know, momma."
As they started skating, Mercedes could see her looking around. "He's going to be here and said he would be a little late."
"Okay…"
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "You know, I noticed you start to call Sam, dad, and then you stop. That's not because of me, is it?"
"Maybe a little bit." She said honestly. "And him."
Mercedes squeezed her hand in hers. "Baby, never stop doing what feels right to you because you think it will hurt my feelings. The only thing that will do that is if you censor yourself because of me."
"Censor?"
Mercedes nodded. "It means if you stop saying or hesitate saying something because you think I will be mad at you for loving your dad, and he's there for you to love Lil nugget."
Malaya nodded. "Okay." She said softly.
Hearing someone call their names, Mercedes turned to see Sam skating towards them.
"Hey you two! I made it." Sam said happily.
"Hi," Malaya said shyly as they stopped skating.
"You two look like pro's out here. Do you often skate together?"
Mercedes nodded. "Every year since she could walk. She's going to be a pro soon."
"Well, it's in your DNA; I used to play hockey. You are a lock for a beautiful skater between that and your mother's grace."
Mercedes offered him a small smile as she watched Malaya. Seeing it was growing awkward, she shifted on her skates. "Should we skate around for a little bit. Maybe we can play 20 questions?"
Sam nodded. "That sounds fun! Go ahead, Malaya, ask away. I am an open book."
Malaya nodded, thinking as they started to skate again. "What came first? The chicken or the egg?"
Mercedes snorted at her question, laughing when she saw Sam's face.
"That sounds like a trap." Sam laughed. "I thought we were asking about me, not chickens." He teased.
"I was giving you an easy one." the young girl teased. "But okay, if they have to be about you, what do you do?"
Sam beamed. "I play for the NFL. Do you know what that is?"
Malaya's eyes widened. "You do?!"
"She knows we are a big football family because of dad and Miles, whether we want to be or not."
"Are you any good?" Malaya asked, and Sam nodded.
"My coach thinks so."
"Momma said that you had a brother and a sister."
Sam nodded. "I do. And they are pretty great; I would love for you to meet them when you are ready. I am pretty sure they are actually around here, but they promised to keep their distance."
Mercedes smiled down at Malaya. "Would you be up to meeting them today?"
Malaya looked in thought for a moment, then nodded. "I think so."
"Only when you are ready, Lil nug," Mercedes said, getting a wide grin from her daughter.
Malaya looked around, smiling as she saw the different families skating, and linked her hands with Sam's as well as her mom's. They slid in silence for a moment before Sam looked over to his daughter.
"Have you made your list for Santa?"
Malaya nodded. "I did! And I have been really good this year and made the honor roll."
"Wow, there is no way Santa isn't coming to visit you!" He beamed. "Do you play an instrument?" He asked, remembering what Mercedes told him.
"Uh huh, I play the piano and just started the guitar, but I am not that good at it. Momma said it takes practice."
"She's right." Sam nodded. "While you are here, I can show you a few things; I still play from time to time."
"You play the guitar?" Malaya asked with wide eyes.
"Yep. I used to play and sing for your mom."
As they passed the hot chocolate Stand, Mercedes smiled. "Who wants to take a cocoa break?"
"Me!" Both Sam and Malaya said at the same time.
Mercedes laughed as they skated over. Once settled with their drinks, Sam smiled as they huddled close. "I was thinking, maybe we can catch a movie or something later this week?"
Malaya nodded, and Mercedes could feel her heart both breaking and racing at the thought of spending time together. This was a huge deal, and Malaya was handling it with such maturity she was proud.
"We have this family tradition where we get in our pajamas and watch Christmas movies together," Sam said.
Malaya looked at Mercedes, and she encouraged her daughter to speak up.
Could we…maybe do it with just us and momma?" She asked.
Sam looked at Mercedes, who he noticed hesitated but gave him a soft nod. "That would be fun! I have this huge tv in my living room suite, and we can watch it there if that's okay with your mom."
"Umm, sure, that's fine." She said softly.
"Hey guys!" Stacey said, approaching cautiously. I know you told us not to come, Sam, but we just…can we say hi, or will that be too overwhelming?"
Sam looked to see Stacey, Stevie, Mary, and Dwight standing behind them. He looked panicked, but Mercedes just offered him a smile.
"Laya, you remember Mrs. Mary, your grandma that we talked about?"
She nodded.
"Well, those two right there are your aunt and uncle Stevie and Stacey."
Stacey bent down and smiled. "Wow, you are beautiful. I love your golden curls!"
Malaya beamed, and Dwight moved forward. She looked at Sam. "He looks like you."
Sam smiled. "Because he's my dad and your grandpa."
"Hi, Lil bit; you can call me grandpa or pawpaw or whatever you want." Dwight said excitedly.
"Pawpaw? Like a dog's paw?" Malaya giggled.
Dwight shook his head, smiling. "Oh, she is quick."
"You have no idea. I am on my toes with this one." Mercedes laughed.
Sam looked back out to the rink. "Wanna go around again, Laya?"
She looked at Mercedes.
"You can go. Have fun with your dad and family. I'll be right here watching you, okay?"
Malaya only hesitated for a moment as Sam and his family skated off. She sat back, sipping her hot chocolate as she watched Sam and his family.
"Hello, Merce."
Mercedes froze, hearing the familiar voice, and turned to see her ex, Jamal standing behind her. "Jamal? What are you doing here?"
"Came to see how you were; just cause we broke up didn't mean we stopped being friends."
Mercedes shook her head. "That's not what I meant, and you know it! You are supposed to be in New Orleans, not Ohio!"
"I was in New Orleans, and then I got a last-minute blog request for work in Ohio, and color me surprised as I am dining at this restaurant, I see the article about you, and well, I felt the need to check on you."
Mercedes shook her head; Jamal was a food blogger who got paid very well to travel around the world trying new trends and foods. It's why they didn't work; she didn't want a part-time husband and was unwilling to relocate to the road. She had a daughter to think about.
Jamal was sweet and understanding about the whole thing; he didn't want to uproot Malaya either, and he promised that in ten years when he was ready to settle down, if she was still single, he was hopping on it.
"Where were you working?"
"This new Jamaican place in Cleveland is all the buzz. Gotta say I was impressed." He sat down next to her. "Mariah said you were here."
"Mariah always did have a soft spot for you; you must have given her your brother's number again. You know she's a stalker, right?"
"Eh, Eric can handle it; it was the price he had to pay so I could see you."
Mercedes looked out at Sam and Malaya skating. "So much has changed in such a little bit of time."
"You know you could have told me you used to date a freaking NFL player." Jamal teased. "I would have only been moderately intimidated.
"For one, he wasn't an NFL player when I dated him. And two, I didn't even tell Bas until this past month, and I wasn't going to tell anyone. But he wanted to meet his daughter…."
Jamal frowned. "And how are you feeling in all this?"
She offered him a small smile. "Terrified and trying to put on a brave face because my daughter deserves to know her family. And angry." She said softly.
"Why angry?"
She sighed. "Because he put me in this position where I feel like I have no control. When we leave here, I am so worried about what will happen with him and Laya, all of it."
Jamal sighed. "Merce, you are the most level-headed person I know. You think ahead and always put your daughter first. Whatever happens, you will make sure that Laya is going to be okay."
Mercedes sighed. "It's really good to see you, Jamal. I missed you."
He bumped her shoulder. "I missed you too."
Sam smiled, watching Malaya skate with Stacey but paused as he saw her sitting with a man. "Who the hell is that?"
"Who?" Stevie asked.
Sam pointed over to Mercedes and a guy.
"No idea, but he looks like he is having a really good time with your girl." Stevie teased.
"She's not my girl," Sam said, sighing. "And why is she over there talking to him anyways? Shouldn't she be here with Laya and me? The whole point of me coming out here was so the three of us could skate."
"Then I suggest you go over there and talk to her." Stevie said. "As for me, I see a few snow bunnies I haven't seen before."
Stevie skated off as Stacey and Malaya skated over to him. Sam reached his hand down to hers. "What do you say we go get your mom and skate some more?"
Malaya nodded. "Okay."
Sam led her over to Mercedes and the mystery man, as Malaya stood slightly behind Sam, looking at the man talking to her mother.
"Mercedes, we were hoping you would join us for one last skate?" He said.
"I should be going anyway, Merce. I have to get this article in." Jamal said, bumping her shoulder once more.
Sam stood tall, looking down at the man. "Hi, I am Sam Evans." He said, introducing himself.
Jamal stood with a nod. "I recognize you from ESPN. You look taller in person."
Mercedes stood with a small smile. "Sam, this is Jamal, a friend of mine from Charleston." Given that Malaya didn't know him, he wasn't shocked at how he was introduced. Though he got a feeling that Sam knew there was something more there.
He looked down at the little girl offering a small wave before turning to Mercedes. "If you need me, you know how to reach me."
"Thanks again." She said hugging him.
Mercedes watched him leave before turning back to Sam and Malaya. "Okay. Let's go have some more family-friendly fun."
Malaya linked her hands between Mercedes and Sam's and beamed. "Can we do this again before we go back to Charleston?"
"You wanna skate again, Lil nugget?"
She nodded. "The three of us…."
Mercedes nodded. "Sure, I think that would be fun."