DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE BUT THIS STORY I DO!

ENJOY :)

Mercedes walked down the steps to the gym. She had spent a better part of the morning in her upstairs, analyzing and thinking about the events that happened ever so quickly a couple of months ago. One thing is for sure, her dad did eventually step down, deciding to give them to the end of the year to prepare themselves for their new responsibilities. Another thing that took place over the summer months, Mercedes had did a trial run of keeping Poppy. The little girl was adamant about living with her now and as much as she wanted to, she had to make sure that she was ready to take on this as well. Don't get her wrong, she loved Poppy to death but she was still scared that she couldn't be the mother that she can to her, especially when she ultimately made the decision to take on the challenge for the rematch. From the outside looking in, many people were ready for her comeback and figured that the time off would either be a good thing or a train wreck waiting to happen.

Sam stared at her for what felt like the longest time ever. He shouldn't be surprised but he was. She had unfinished business that she had to take care of….as so did he. He looked down when he heard a small cooing from beside him, seeing that it was the baby waking up in Poppy's arms. Yep. That was another thing as well. He decided a day after that faithful night of the gala, only God knows why, that he was going to take care of this kid until he could find someone who can give him a better home. He was still surprised at his own decision to temporarily keep the baby, yet these past three months he has really grown close to him. He attended to his every need, brought him to the gym nbecause he didn't trust anyone with him and just been there. In the long run, he was thankful that he didn't listen to himself that night and wanted to rid of the "revenge baby". Don't get him wrong, it was still beyond weird but he had some sort of connection with the baby, and on top of that, he experienced very early on the hurt that man can leave. Although it was highly messed up, he was grateful that he didn't have to go through the hurt and disappointment from neither one of them. Thankfully, he had found a forever home for him with people who he knew and trusted to give him the best life.

A few weeks ago…

"This wouldn't be the first time." Erik chuckled as he watched the man place the top on the bottle, "Chanel was iffy about asking for reasons she won't even tell me."

"If it's something that you two really want, I have no problem at all." Sam said seriously as he stared at the man then looked at Chanel, "Cedes told me how great y'all were with Poppy and I trust that you would be the same to him, plus I know he's going to be with people who will truly care for and love him."

"And when the time is right…."

"No." Sam responded, already knowing where she was about to go, "Please respect my decision not telling him."

"But what if he wants to know where he came from Sam?"

"Cross that bridge IF we get there but please don't feel the need to tell him if he doesn't ask."

Chanel nodded her head as she looked from the man to the baby, a smile taking over her lips when he came forward and placed him in her arms. The cooing from the baby as his blue eyes stared into hers, a little smile taking over his features.

"Sorry I'm late."

Poppy stood up and gently placed the baby in her arms before grabbing her book bag and moving past her.

Chanel looked in confusion as the girl went out the door, her eyes going back to Sam, who was staring at her, "What happened?"

Sam sighed before giving her a weak smile, standing up, softy squeezing that baby's cheek before attempting walking off, "You should ask your cousin."

"Living situation?" She asked, watching as he gave her look before walking away. Sighing, mumbling, "We'll talk after dinner tonight."

Sam gave her nod before waving, going over to where his girlfriend was now walking on the treadmill. He had to admit, he wanted to support her decision so badly but the bad was definitely outweighing the good.

Mercedes exhaled as her hands were on her hips, eyes going over to Sam as he came on the side of her, "I know it's a lot of tension around my decision but this is the last one…for real this time. I just feel like this is what I need to do." When he didn't respond immediately, she slowed her pace before stopping the machine completely. She stared at him as she placed her hands on his shoulders, eyes softening to his genuine ones, "I just need you to put your true feelings to the side and stand by me. Not as a boyfriend, not as a friend, but as peer in this profession."

Through clench teeth, his words came out like he had tasted a drink he hated so bad, "I'm not going to like it but it's your choice and I'm going to stand beside you."

Mercedes smiled a bit as she leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek, chuckling at his response.

"I'm going to need more than a cheek kiss for this. This is going to be complete misery. Full blown make out sessions and sex. Lots of it."

Mercedes pressed a long, lingering kiss on his lips before lifting up a little when he placed his forehead on hers, "I love you and thank you for being so supportive even when it's hard to do so."

"I love you too." He said seriously as she stared down at her, "Now come on, we've got some work to do."

Later evening, the group had headed to Chanel and Erik's home for dinner. This would be the first time since the night of the gala that they have all been able to get together. The newest addition was being watched from the baby monitor as he slept peacefully in his crib next to his new baby brother.

"Dinner was so good."

"Extra good for me." Rose agreed after Sam, chuckling a bit, "Please excuse my three plates. This prednisone has me eating so much."

"There's plenty, we're just glad that arthritis is tamed and not giving you the blues like normally."

"Amen."

Poppy leaned over and took a sip of her water before leaning back, a voice that has been noticeably absent tonight. She was going through a slew of emotions and just trying to figure out how to deal with it all.

"You've been sulking all day, what's wrong?" Henry asked his granddaughter as he watched as she flicked the meat with her fork, taking a deep breath.

Mercedes sat her glass down as she looked at the girl before her eyes went to her father, "She's mad at me about the living situation."

A chorus of ohs ran out, prompting the young one to roll her eyes before she sat up in her seat, her facial features visibly turning upset at the mention of it.

Sam stared between the two, trying to see if it was even his place to say anything. Poppy was kind of mad at him too, he had chalked up. She had been giving him the cold shoulder and he was trying to figure out if this had something to do with the baby, the situation with Mercedes, misplaced anger or all of it combined.

"I just feel that staying here is what's best for you, Pop." Mercedes started, giving the girl a sad smile, "I'm working all the time, you know that and now that Dad is.."

"It's fine. You don't want to be a mom and have some kid to take care of." The girl interrupted, catching everyone off guard when she spoke, the silverware hitting the plate loudly, "You got Sam now so I can guess he's enough."

"Poppy…"

"You didn't want me then and don't want me now. I'm fine, MERCEDES! Like you said, I have a mom and dad who wants me and will continue to take care of me. I DON'T NEED YOU!"

Mercedes just stared in utter shock, tears unexpectedly welling up in her eyes, too shocked to move as the gasps ran out. Her words struck her like a chord but hearing her call her by her first name with so much anger laced in it, that broke her heart.

"Poppy Mae, go to your room RIGHT NOW!" Erik spoke as he stood, all eyes shifting in shock to the angry faced man. Erik has never raised his voice and he never got mad but this set it off for him.

Poppy recoiled once he raised his voice, her eyes wide in shock in realization of what she had said. She glanced over at Chanel, who just shook her head, hands over her mouth. Her eyes darted over to her grandparents, who gave her a disappointed but sad stare. Finally, her watery eyes rested on Mercedes, who…was broken and being consoled by Sam. Their eyes locked briefly before she stood up, whispering to herself as the tears fell, "I didn't…"

"GO!" Erik cut her off, watching as she turned around quickly and ran up the stairs, hearing the bedroom door open and close, he sighed and looked over at Mercedes, "Cedes."

"I'm okay."

"No you're not, sweetie."

"I am." She said as she stood up, stopping Sam from getting up, giving them a fake smile as she wiped her face, "I'm going to walk home…by myself. I need time."

The room went in complete silence as she left out, hearing the front close, all completely taken aback by what just transpired. Their only brief mistake was not following immediately after her because they was something, or better yet someone waiting for her outside the house.

A/N. I can't believe it's been a whole year since I've updated! I'm still here y'all, just been super busy with life! Hope you enjoyed this update! A few more chapters left for this story, then it's a wrap!