DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ITS CHARACTERS BUT THIS STORY I DO!

ENJOY :)

Mercedes glanced at the watch on her wrist to check the time as she straightened up in the living room of apartment. She jumped a little at the thunder and lightning outside, grunting lowly the wind start to hit the windows. A real bad storm was coming through but Sam insisted on keeping their plans tonight for their date. They would be cooking dinner at her place with the hope that the storm didn't knock the lights out. She grabbed a lighter to light some candles for that reason, as well as to set the mood. She didn't know why but she was a tad bit nervous. This was Sam for Christ's sake and here she was acting like giddy preteen girl. She had told him where the spare key was so when she lifted her head when she heard the knob turning, followed by the door opening, it revealed the man that was consuming her thoughts.

"I got in just before it started to pour." Sam announced as he closed the door behind him, giving the woman a smile.

Mercedes giggled as she watched him take off his shoes and leave them beside the door, "We could've rescheduled."

Sam sat the bag down on the table, shaking his head as he made his way to her, "We've done enough holding off for a lifetime."

Mercedes smiled up at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning up to place a soft kiss on his lips, "Hi."

"Yeah, no." He pulled back away from her mouth, shaking his head, "Before we do any more of this, which I love by the way, I want to properly ask you something."

Mercedes gave him a cheeky grin as she raised a brow, "A proper ask? I'd like that."

"Merce?" Sam started as he got down on his knee, holding her hand, "Would you please be my girlfriend? This is me begging and pleading."

"Oh wow, "The Punisher" aka Cream Cheese is a softie that begs, call the press." Mercedes teasingly spoke as she looked at him, pushing his shoulder before attempting to walk off, "I guess."

Sam quickly stood and pulled her back to him, talking ahold of her mouth once more before his arms went around her waist. He smirked as he pulled back just enough to move his mouth along her jaw line, finding his destination on the right side of her neck.

"So territorial." Mercedes breathed out as she unintentionally fell backwards on the couch.

Sam hovered over her as he gently pushed her further into the cushions as their kiss depended, only to be unexpectedly broken up. They both broke apart and turned their heads to the beating that sounded off on the door, looking at each other confusedly before it only got louder with a voice yelling out.

"CEDES! OPEN UP!"

"Poppy." Mercedes pushed Sam off of her carefully before getting off the couch and running over to her door when she recognized the voice. When she opened the door, sure enough it was the child standing outside, soaking wet from the rain and a mixture of tears on her face that Mercedes didn't noticed because she was on high alert about her being by herself, "Oh my God, get in here."

Poppy passed through the threshold as Mercedes pulled her in by her arm, dressed in her a now soaking t-shirt and pajama pants, her bunny slippers now soaked in which Mercedes made her take off and leave by the door.

Sam had came back after disappearing to get some clean towels, handing them over to Mercedes, who placed one around the drenched girl shoulder and then tied one around her wet braided hair.

"Poppy, what the hell? What's going on?" Mercedes couldn't help but be worried. She did in fact lived around the block from Chanel and Erik, but what had her upset was the child had came over here by herself in the dark and in this horrible storm, "You did not make a safe decision. Do you know how dangerous that was? What were you thinking?"

"Is it true?" She asked as she ignored her words, more tears coming down her face as she stared at the woman in front of her, shivering.

Mercedes stared at her confusedly as she watched as she cried, "Is what true?"

"Are you really my mom?"

Mercedes' mouth opened and closed in disbelief for what felt like the longest time before she responded, "Who told you that?"

"Mommy did." Poppy stared at her with more tears filling in those familiar big brown eyes, her lips trembling, "Why didn't you want me?"

Sam decided that this was his cue to leave the two alone. He would've left completely but the storm outside was only get worse, so he just settled in finding another room.

Mercedes got down on the floor, sitting in front of her as she grabbed ahold of her hands, "Poppy, I wanted you to have better. I was a kid myself, so confused and unprepared. I couldn't give you what you deserved. But one thing is for certain, I never regretted you for a moment. I love you so much, my sweet girl. Don't ever think I didn't or that I don't. I did what I believed what was best."

Poppy leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her, holding on to her tightly as she hid her face in her shoulder.

Mercedes pressed a kiss to the side of her head as she held her. She didn't realize that this was going to be so hard.

After awhile, Poppy tears had started to slow down and she pulled back to look at the woman, "You're really my mom."

Mercedes rubbed her cheeks as she nodded her head, "I am."

Poppy sighed as her eyes fell to the floor, "Do I call you that?"

"You can still call me Cedes. Nothing has to change."

"But it does. Things can't just go back to normal."

Poppy was wise beyond her years. She'd never get tired of stating that because it was true, "Poppy, whatever makes you comfortable, you do it. Okay? Now that this is all out in the open, I mean it when I say nothing has to change unless you want it to, baby. I just want you to know that I love you and I'm always going to love and be here for you. And know that you're welcome here anytime."

"More than usual?" She asked as she cracked a smile, watching as the woman nodded and smiled as well. She let go of her and sighed, "Guess you'll have to call them so they don't worry."

"Most definitely and you will be getting punished for your actions." Mercedes gave her a look, watching as she nodded her head solemnly, "How about you go take a bath and I'll get you some dinner made."

Poppy nodded her head as she stood up, seeing Sam coming from the back, she acknowledged the man for the first time, "I'm sorry for ruining your date."

Sam smiled down at her, taking his hands of out his pockets, "You didn't ruin anything. I'm glad you're okay."

Poppy gave him a small grin before walking pass him to head to the room.

Mercedes watched as the door closed before her eyes went to Sam's, giving him an apologetic expression, "Sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for." He walked over and wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss to her forehead, "Are you okay?"

"I don't know." She answered truthfully as she shook her head, "I didn't want this."

"Well, you got it and now you're going to have to deal with it." Sam told her honestly as he held her in his arms, "I would give you two the space you need but..."

"It's too dangerous for you to drive home." Mercedes cut in as she mumbled in the crook of his neck before tilting her head back, "Believe it or not, the couch is very comfy."

Sam just smiled, something that he had been doing a lot lately because of her, "How is this so easy?"

Already knowing what he was referring to, she played with his fingers before answering, "We're not strangers, that's why. We grew up in our adolescent years together. You don't lose that connection or forget it, even when being stubborn adults." She responded as her eyes held his, answering the questions that they held, along with him voicing them, "When you graduated and we matured, I had it in my head right before you left that this was going to be the moment I made a move."

"And I unknowingly ruined it."

Mercedes faced scrunched up as a chuckle passed her lips, nodding her head, "You truly did."

Sam stared at her, serious, speaking his next words with so much conviction, "I won't make that mistake again."

"You better not, Cream Cheese. You better not."

The next morning, Mercedes woke up around her normal time but she wasn't alone. She raised her head and found the girl curled up next to her in the bed. Last night she had sent Erik a text to let him know that she was with her and that she was okay. They had ended up having breakfast for dinner, Sam showing off his basic culinary skills by making the girls some scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes that ended up on the burnt side, but they didn't complain. After eating, Poppy had retired to bed, Mercedes following behind her after helping Sam clean up and getting him some pillows and covers for the couch. Hearing her phone ding, she turned around and grabbed it off the night stand, looking the message on the screen.

The weather was clear so I decided to head home. You & your daughter need this time together & I'm not going to take that from you both. Call me whenever you can & I ordered breakfast (something to make up for that disaster I made last night), it should be there soon.

She smiled at the text. Their date didn't go as planned, but him being understanding and supportive just made her feel so good inside. She was typing a response just as there was a knock at the door. She put her phone down and got out the bed, heading out and closing the door behind her, so whoever this was wouldn't wake Poppy. She went to the door and looked through the peephole, rolling her eyes. She took a deep breath before opening the door, staring at the woman for a good minute before moving to the side and letting her in.

"I know you're mad but she needed to know." Chanel said as she walked in, waiting for her cousin to turn around, "I didn't think she would react this way."

Mercedes just stared at her, not saying a word as she crossed her arms over her chest. She admit that she was angry at Chanel, and Erik too, because she made it blatantly clear to them that this was something that she didn't want.

"Dammit, say something." Chanel begged as she looked at her cousin. When she didn't, she walked over and got in her face, "She deserves it and deep down you know that. You are her mother, Mercedes. That's just the reality and just like I told Uncle Hen, I'm so grateful that you gave me the opportunity to become a mother." She wiped the tears that had found their way out, "If you're going to be pissed at me for this, so be it. I don't regret it."

Mercedes turned her head when she heard her bedroom open, showcasing the girl walking out, making her way to where they were.

"Please don't fight." Poppy whispered as she looked between the two women, "Family don't fight."

"We're not fighting, love." Chanel made her way over to her, sitting down on the couch as she grabbed ahold of her hand, "Cedes and I...well, we don't agree about the decision that me and your Dad made to tell you."

"Why not?" Poppy questioned as she glanced between them before her eyes settled on the quiet one, not waiting for an answer, "You're the best person and now that I know why you didn't keep me, it's okay. I'm not mad at you. I could never be mad at you." She directed her words to Mercedes before her eyes went back to Chanel, apologetic, "I'm sorry for leaving home last night."

"Don't ever do that again, you hear me?" Chanel told her as she pulled her in for a hug, feeling her nod, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Mercedes unfolded her arms when there was another knock on the door, going over to get it. She gave the boy a small smile when he handed her the bag, reaching over to give him some dollars from table. She closed the door back and sat the bag down on the table, looking at Poppy then Chanel then back to Poppy, "Breakfast. I'm going to go get some rest, I'm kind of tired still." She finally spoke as she started to head back to her bedroom, only to be stopped by the little girl, who hugged her tightly from behind.

"I love you."

"I love you, sweetheart. Always and forever." She patted her hand, turning around and giving her a small smile before disappearing to her bedroom. She had a lot of mixed emotions and the reason for it was because of the guilt she always carried with her. The guilt that she soon would have to face head on and let go so she could know that there was no reason for it.

Mercedes laid back in the hospital bed, exhausted as she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes filled with tears. This has been the hardest day. The absolute hardest. She had given birth to a beautiful chubby baby girl, Poppy Mae Jones-Martin. She wanted her to take Erik's last name too of course. That meant he would have all parental rights and responsibilities and that's what she wanted. He was a good man, and she knew that he would be an amazing father to her Poppy, along with her cousin. They both deserved it. She would've kept her, she truly would have but she wasn't ready, and she doubt she ever would be. She would not subject her daughter to someone who wouldn't give her the world. She wouldn't do that.

After an emotionally draining weekend, after his training, Sam and Mercedes decided to go to their favorite spot to grab something to eat. Indulging because they both deserved after the past couple of days they had, the couple had ordered chili cheese hot dogs and fries. This was what they always got when Henry brought them.

Sam watched Mercedes closely as he has been doing for the past couple of hours. He noticed that she hasn't been herself all day and had failed to hide it like she was trying to. He put his cup down and turn to her, "You ready to talk about what's bothering you?"

Mercedes came out of her thoughts and looked at the man beside her when he asked her that question.

"And don't tell me nothing because you've been quiet and distracted all day."

Mercedes sighed as she played with her straw before dropping her hand, "I got a call this morning. The prosecution wants me to testify and I really don't see how it's going to help in my case when I didn't see his face. I really think if I do, it'll work in his favor and he'll..."

Sam listened to her drift off, knowing exactly what she was getting at, "What does your Dad think?"

"He wants me to do whatever I feel comfortable doing." She ran her hands over her face and held them there, shaking her head, "I don't want to think this way but I really believe that he could get off."

"That's not going to happen...hey, look at me." Sam pulled her hands away from her face, watching as she stared at him with a defeated expression. He placed his own on the sides of her face and stared into her eyes, "I'm not going to let that happen."

Mercedes gave him a weak smile as she leaned her forehead against his, "I don't want you to lose it if things go the other way."

"I can't make no promises."

"You will." She whispered as she pulled back and stared at him, "You're going to promise me right here and now that you will not result to anything."

"You know I won't do that." He said seriously as he looked at her, "I didn't back then with my mom and sister, and I won't now with my girlfriend."

Mercedes didn't even know why she got her hopes up with this. Sam was stubborn, but he also was a protector who was going to make sure to seek out revenge when a person wronged him or someone he loved.

Seeing as how the whole mood had shifted, Sam figured he might as well tell her what he did so this conversation and whole bad aurora would be over with, "I had an eventful morning too. I took a paternity test before coming in. Results should be back in a couple of days."

Mercedes leaned back to study that solemn expression on his face, "What are you hoping for?"

"That I'm not but if I am, I'm going to file for full custody and raise my child the right way." He responded honestly as he gazed at her, "The question is, would you stay if I am?"

Mercedes stared at him and knew why he was asking that. She opened her mouth to give him a response but stopped when she saw someone over his shoulder.

Sam felt her tense up and saw the distant look in her eyes, "Merce." He called for her but she didn't respond. He turned to follow her line of sight and found the source of her changed behavior, which made him frown deeply.

The woman removed her glasses from her face, giving Sam a cold glance before her eyes traveled to the woman on the other side of him, "Are you just going to stare or are you going to speak to your mother?"

A/N. Yikes! Let me know your thoughts & predictions!