Hey guys thanks for your patience, I have been really sick and so writing was not on my list of things to do lol. But I am starting to feel better so here you go, I hope you enjoy! Stay safe and blessed, I love you guys!
As Mercedes stood from her seat and walked towards the house, Zack excused himself and followed her inside.
"Merce?"
Mercedes turned away from the bathroom and towards Zack. "Hey! You having fun?"
"Uh, Yeah. I don't want to beat around the bush, so I will just ask."
Mercedes leaned against the wall. "You think your question can wait until I use the bathroom? Three kids on the bladder, it's not fun."
"Yeah, I just wanted to know what's happening with you and Sam."
Mercedes paused, looking at him. "You are stopping me from going to the bathroom for that? Boy, if you don't get the hell out of my way."
She moved past him, but he took her hand. "I just want to talk."
"And I want to pee, so unless you want me to pee on your shoes, let me go!"
Mercedes yanked her hands away and stepped inside of the bathroom, now very irritated and annoyed. After washing her hands, she walked out, and Zack was still standing there. "Ready to talk?
"What the hell is your problem? I am pregnant, I am hungry, and I do not take kindly to the inquisition on my life when you are just now joining. Now. Move."
She shoved past him, and he followed. "Mercedes, I am sorry. Look, I like you, but I don't want to waste my time."
"Wow." Mercedes laughed, shaking her head and leaving to head outside.
"Sooo, what were you and Zack doing inside?" Quinn asked with a smirk.
"Don't give me that 'y'all did the nasty' smirk. I had to pee, and he went all Alpha male on me. And you know I can't stand that."
"Oh we know." Santana and Quinn said together.
Kitty looked at her. "I gotta say, when Sam said we were invited here, I wasn't sure what to expect. I mean, you are the mother of his soon-to-be children, and I am his girlfriend. And it's really hard not to like you."
"Did you not want to like me?" Mercedes laughed.
"No, not with the way he talks about you?" Kitty said, looking at Sam.
Mercedes followed her gaze. "Sam talks about me?"
Kitty sighed. "He does, ever since that night at the club."
Mercedes blushed. "He told you about that?"
Kitty nodded. "We have always had open communication, and I have always had something to tell, but Sam never has, not until."
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "You do realize that he and I never…we never…"
Kitty nodded. "I know I believe that. Because had he slept with you, he'd be out the door, I am sure."
Mercedes burst out laughing, shaking her head. "You think I got it that good?"
Kitty shrugged with a laugh, "If your kiss makes Sam Evans okay with being a dad, then yeah. That man was set on not having kids, he only saved his sperm on the off chance he changed his mind. And he could have just paid you off and wanted nothing to do with the kids, but he wants to be all in with you and them."
Santana shook her head. "Damn Cedes, you got it like that? Kiss me, let me see if I wanna be your baby momma."
Santana moved towards her, and Mercedes pushed her away, laughing. "You stupid, stop."
Kitty laughed. "I like y'all. My girls are cool, but they are all about the model life, and I am just… I am ready for more."
"Well, we like you too; you are welcome to join us anytime." Quinn smiled.
Mercedes looked down at her stomach before she looked over to Sam as he played with her nephews.
Kitty followed her gaze. "He really is a good man and obviously adores you, but he gets in his own way a lot. And he doesn't feel like he deserves good things. He says there is nothing here because he doesn't think he stands a chance with you."
Mercedes looked at Kitty. "Why…why are you telling me this?"
Kitty sighed. "I like Sam, I have love for him, and honestly if I settled for him, we would have a really nice life. But he will never talk about me the way he talks about you. He won't look at me the way he looks at you, and I want that."
Mercedes rubbed her stomach. "Yeah, I want that too…I think that's something we all want. I want the babies to be happy and healthy. I want them to have everything…including a loving father."
Kitty sighed. "Well, I can see Sam being that…I can also see Zach being that. The question is, who do you see being that for you?"
Mercedes looked at Kitty. "I think the question is also, can Sam eventually be that for you."
"Mercedes! Oh, Mercedes, I am so glad I caught you!" Sunshine yelled, running after her.
Mercedes shifted her bag in her arms as she turned to one of the guest service members for the hotel. "Sunshine? What's going on?"
"Wally called in sick, and I am having a hell of a time checking people in; I know you gave notice, but please."
Mercedes sighed with a nod. "Fine, what exactly do you need?"
"I have no idea where Wally put the codes, and I am floundering."
Mercedes reached into her purse and smiled. "Here, I was gonna take this, but I think it will help you."
Sunshine's eyes widened. "Is that?"
Mercedes nodded. "Yep, my playbook. Everything I have learned while working here, including information on our VIPs and what they like. This will help you keep this place the way it should be.
Sunshine reached over and hugged her. "I am gonna miss you. I hate that you are gone, but I know this is your choice…I heard they offered you a raise, and you turned it down. "
Mercedes nodded. "They did, but I am pregnant, and I have a son that I very much want to spend more time with; it's time for me to move forward."
Sunshine frowned. "We are gonna miss you here, that's for sure."
"I am going to miss you too. And you can always call me." Mercedes shifted the bag and cursed as it slipped from her hands. Bending down to grab it, another hand reached for it. She stood as he handed it back.
"Here you go, young lady; you shouldn't be bending down in your position."
Mercedes smiled, taking the bag from the older gentleman; he looked familiar, probably a guest she had seen before. "Thank you. I am still trying to figure out what I can or can't do."
"Dwight, honey, are you over here flirting again?" An older woman teased.
"Of course, have you seen this beauty? She reminds me of you when you were pregnant, many eons ago." He teased.
"Oh, hush you. I am sorry if my husband is bothering you, sweetie."
Mercedes smiled. "No, he's been very sweet."
"You really should have someone help take these bags to your car."
"Don't bother, sir; my sister is stubborn, and she thinks she can do it all," Micah said, rolling his eyes.
Mercedes sighed. "Please excuse my baby brother; he thinks he can boss me around."
"They remind me of the twins, don't they? Stacey is older by a minute, but Stevie will fight her tooth and nail to take control."
Mercedes laughed. "Must be that younger brother vibe or something. But since you want to be all in my business, can you take this to my car? Please."
Micah rolled his eyes but took her bags. "You are so lucky. I love you."
"Were you visiting?" The woman asked.
Mercedes shook her head no. "Actually, I worked here up until about an hour ago." Her phone rang, and she sighed, seeing Sam was calling her. "I am so sorry, and it was really great to meet you both. I hope you enjoy your stay."
Mercedes walked off, and Dwight shook his head. "They fired a pregnant woman? What kind of place is this?"
Sunshine smiled. "No, they actually offered her a raise and said take it or leave it, and she decided to leave it. Mercedes is one of the hardest-working women I know. She was the guest services manager here, and one day, she decided she was done. She wants to focus on her kids."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Rumor has it, she came into a lot of money, dating a rich guy or something like that, and is living it up. It doesn't seem like her, but they say money changes people. I will have someone help you with your bags.
Mercedes answered the phone, leaning against her car. "Hello?"
"Hey, how are you? How are the babies?"
Mercedes ran her hands through her hair. "As good as to be expected, though I am starving, so I think I am gonna grab a snack."
"Don't forget we have dinner with my parents."
"I remember, still not sure about this, but they should know the mother of their grandchildren. Is Kitty joining us?"
Sam sighed for a moment. "No, she's not."
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip; she wanted to ask about it but didn't. "What time is dinner?"
"I told my mom you would be here around 7."
"Okay…well, I have a few things to drop off, and then I will be there."
"Drop off?"
Mercedes pushed off her car. "Yeah, I was going to tell you later…I gave my notice, but they were going to force my hand, and I refused to stay on, so I am no longer working at the hotel."
"Where are you staying? Not at the B&B. It's not even in working condition."
"Uh, no, Cody and I will stay with my parents. It's going to be an adjustment, but I don't really have another option."
"Mercedes…"
"I will see you tonight." She hung up and headed back to her parent's house.
It didn't take long for her to figure out what she was going to wear; most of her time was spent getting the strength up to get dressed and actually go.
Pulling out her phone, she chewed her bottom lip nervously, sending Kitty a text.
MJ: You aren't joining us for dinner?
KW: No. Sam and I spoke and felt it was best if I let you two do this alone.
MJ: Kitty, what's going on?
KW: …
KW: …
KW: Take your shot, Mercedes. He will be a great dad. Just take your shot
MJ: I am glad we are friends; I would hate to have never met you, Kitty.
KW: You better call me to the hospital when those three arrive…and sit me at the single table at the wedding.
MJ: Wedding?
KW: Like I said. Take your shot.
MJ: Will you still come to the girl's night next week?
KW: Of course! I am single; after all, gotta find me a sexy rebound.
MJ: I gotta ask, are you sure about this?
KW: Everyone deserves a shot at love. You made me want that, so I owe you everything. I have gotta go but text me later.
MJ: See ya, Kit
"She's late."
Sam rolled his eyes. "Mom, she texted me that she would be. Her mom was going to sit for Cody, but her dad was sick, so she was trying to reach her brothers. I just told her to bring him with her."
"Now Cody is her Godson?"
"Son, she adopted him. And please be nice, she's…different."
"Different how? Sammy, are you certain she isn't using you for your money? I heard this story today about a woman who quit her job so her super-rich boyfriend could take care of her and her family. It's not as rare as you think."
"Mom, I don't have to worry about that?" Sam defended.
"And why not? Have you given her money?"
Sam sighed. "What goes on between us is between us, but if you recall, I explained the situation."
"I am gonna need a recourse on that because, in my defense, all I heard was grandbabies."
Sam sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Mary, go easy on the boy. He has a good head on his shoulder, and if he trusts her, we should at least get to know her."
Sam offered his dad a nod of thanks. "I told you she went to the clinic to get inseminated, and they used my sperm instead of her donors. So that being said, she got a large sum settlement."
There was a knock on the door, and Sam grew nervous; he and Mercedes weren't even together, but he wanted this to go well. Walking to the door, he smiled, seeing Mercedes wearing a form-fitting lavender sundress, which allowed her stomach to be on full display, and Cody matched, wearing a lavender button-down and jeans.
"Sam!" Cody said, running to him. He smiled; they really did bond at the cookout.
"How are you, lil man? Helping your momma out?"
"Yep! I got her shoes and everything 'cause they didn't match."
Sam stifled a laugh at the face Mercedes made at Cody's comment. He picked the little boy up before moving to Mercedes, offering her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for coming; you didn't have to."
She smiled. "I know, but like I said, it's only fair. And thank you for letting me bring Cody. Micah went MIA on me. But in his defense, I told him mom and dad were taking Cody, so I can't be too mad."
Taking her hand, he led her into his home, and he could tell she was impressed at the 5-acre land; his house was two stories high, with five bedrooms and five baths. The spacious home had been built from the ground up, and Sam took pride in the modern farmhouse look.
As they reached the living room, where his parents were, Mercedes stopped in her tracks at the couple she was staring at. Mary and Dwight Evans stopped in their tracks as well. Dwight offered her a smile.
"Mom, Dad, this is Mercedes Jones and her son Cody. Guys, these are my parents, Dwight and Mary Evans."
"It seems we've met," Mary said, narrowing her eyes at Mercedes.
"What?"
"Remember the woman who took her baby daddy's money and quit her job? That's her."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" She said, shocked. "I did no such thing."
Dwight reached for his wife, but Mary was having none of it.
"No? Did you quit your job today?"
Mercedes let her hand fall from Sam's grasp. "I did, you know I did. You heard this morning, but it's the leaving my job and taking Sam's money that I don't agree with."
"Well, you didn't have money to quit, and now you do; it seems pretty cut and dry to me."
"Okay, everyone needs to calm down." Sam said as Mercedes grabbed Cody. he knew she would make a run for it, and he would not have it. "Let's take a seat, and we can figure out this misunderstanding."
Mercedes shook her head, but Sam reached out for her. "Please."
She sighed with a nod. "Fine."
Mercedes took a seat as Cody returned to Sam, and Mary and Dwight followed suit.
Sam put Cody in his lap and sighed. "Okay, let's clear one thing up. Mercedes had never asked me for anything. She has been amazing through all of this, letting me be in her life and the children." He looked at her. "She's smart and strong, beautiful and kind. She reminds me of you, mom." Sam said, looking at his mother.
"She has dreams and can now attain them due to the clinic's issues. You owe her an apology; you, of all people, know that you shouldn't judge people. You taught me to get all the facts before I judge others."
Mary nodded. "I'm sorry. Sam is my oldest, and I worry about him. But that is no excuse to judge you before I knew you." Mary said. "I just… he's been used before. And he's such a big name. With Kitty, I knew they were using each other. I didn't want that life for him."
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "I wouldn't do that. Sam has been a support I didn't know I needed. I have always been there for everyone, and I appreciate the son you have raised. That being said, and I mean no disrespect, whatever reasons I have for quitting are my own, and whatever money Sam tries to give me or has snuck and given me is between us; I want to get to know you, and I want you two, to have you be a part of our children's lives."
Mary sat back quietly for a moment. "I can respect that. I really am sorry when it comes to my children. I sometimes speak first and regret it later."
Mercedes looked over to Cody and smiled. "Now that I understand, I saw a little boy push Cody and grow upset, yelling at his mother. Little did I know Cody had pushed him as well. I had to apologize quickly and learn that sometimes we, as moms, let our emotions get the best of us."
Cody giggled as Sam tickled him, and Mercedes melted as she watched them.
Sam looked at Mercedes. "Dinner is going to be a little late. Can I show you and Cody something real quick?"
Mercedes looked at him, confused, as Sam stood and pulled her up gently.
"We will be right back."
As Sam led them out of the room, Dwight took his wife's hand. "It seems our son is a goner."
Mary looked at them and nodded. "It seems they both are."
Sam led Mercedes down the hall, Cody on his back before he stopped at the door.
"Go ahead and open it." He nodded to Mercedes.
She hesitated momentarily before pushing the door open and hearing a gasp from Cody.
The room was decked out in Spiderman, from the twin bed with side rails to the walls and curtains. A small TV was mounted on the wall, and toys were filled to the brim. He had a desk that turned into a Lego station and his own bathroom.
"Sam? What did you do?"
Letting Cody down, he smiled. "Why don't you go check out the room, lil man?"
Cody looked to Mercedes, who gave him a nod as he ran off into the room.
"Momma, this is so cool!"
"I know that you hadn't planned on not having a place to stay, and while none of this was in any of our plans, I wanted to...I wanted to give you another option, just until the B&B, which is only a few miles from here, I found out, is up and running."
His generosity took aback Mercedes and how he just seemed to get what she needed before she did.
"That's not all; I mean, it's a new place if you decide to stay, so..." He moved across the hall and opened the door. "This would be your room."
Mercedes stepped into the beautiful room, filled with soft lavender, blush, and sky blue tones. It was a calming retreat from the moment the door opened. The room had an ensuite but was also next to another room.
"Depending on what happens, I thought about turning this into the nursery, for if you are still here or even for when they come visit."
Mercedes looked around the room, not saying a word because her emotions were getting the better of her. She looked at Sam, but she gripped her stomach before any words could come out.
Sam ran over to her. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I just...they are having a field day right now."
"they?"
Mercedes looked at Sam and took his hand, placing it on her stomach. "Most of the time, it's just butterflies when they are awake playing, but if you catch them in the right moment..."
They stood silently for a moment, and then Sam gasped as he felt a little bump against his palm. "Oh my God, is that them? Is that...I can fee- I can feel them moving."
"They must know who you are because they are excited to hear your voice."
Sam kneeled down, staring up at her. "May I?"
Mercedes nodded, holding her breath as Sam placed his forehead on her stomach.
"Hi, babies, it's... it's me, your...your dad."
Unable to resist, Sam wrapped his arms around her waist, and she reached down, running her hands through his hair, the moment both tender and sweet for both of them.
