Hiya! Enjoy!
The Bar: Part Nine
"Are you certain this is what you want to do?" Mercedes asked, looking down at the papers in front of her.
Sam wiped his forehead nodding. "Yes, woman! You've asked this seven times now, sign the damn papers." He replied, handing the pen to her.
It had been six months since they reconnected in New York and Sam kept his promise of showing her just how much she meant to him and how much he loved her. She was still in the midst of her book tour but had a break and was currently at his family farm taking a much needed rest while getting more inspiration for the second installment of her book.
She'd been riding her cowboy for weeks now and she was looking at something that would change her life significantly. She read it over a thousand times in the short time he'd given it to her but she was still nervous.
"You want to buy a house with me?" She asked again for clarity and he frowned, turning her slightly before smacking her on the ass earning a squeal from her.
"I already bought the house, I want to put you on the deed." He said doing it again, grinning. "Now sign it so we can finish… I have animals to feed."
Mercedes snickered. "And if I don't?"
"Don't play silly games, you won't win." He warned, settling in between her legs. "Do you not want to take this step?"
"Of course I do! I just wanted to make sure you wanted this with me…"
Nodding, he sat up pulling her up with him. "I promise this is everything I want, I know you were looking for more of a ring but I want us to live together for a while first. I don't want to be in a place where I could hurt you again."
She shifted so that she was sitting on his lap. "I don't think you will, I just know how big this is for you too. I want to make sure you're emotionally ready because this is a forever kind of deal."
He kissed her tenderly. "I'm ready." He assured her and that was all she needed, so she grabbed the papers and quickly signed her name.
Smirking, she tossed the papers aside. "Now, if memory serves me, we were working on chapter six… the part where the insatiable cowboy finds Ava lounging and he just has to have her."
Sam groaned, biting his lip. "She was actually laying by the lake naked and it seems we're not by the lake… we're by the tree." He corrected.
Mercedes giggled. "Lake, tree, doesn't matter as long as you are inside of me. All it takes is one or two words changed."
Sam ran his hands up her back. "You are trouble! But we can't work on that right now, we have dinner with my parents. Remember?"
Mercedes moved her lips down to his neck. "Mmm we can be a little late…can't we?"
Sam smiled, moving his hands under her back and up her shirt. "Yeah I am sure they won't mind."
Mercedes checked herself out in the mirror, she wanted to make sure she looked okay for dinner with Sam's family. Her mind raced to the last time she spoke to or heard from her family. Three months ago she received a text from her brother, and while she wanted to ignore it, she felt like maybe just maybe things could change.
Boy was she wrong.
Three Months Ago
"Oh God Mercedes!" Sam groaned as he slammed his fist against the wall. "I'm so close."
Mercedes removed his hard shaft from between her lips, using her hand to stroke him faster. "Shh do you want to get caught!"
"Caught? I don't give a fuck! Put him back in your mouth baby, so close."
She smiled, twisting her tongue around his cock before taking him back in her mouth, as deep as she could go. Humming so he could feel the vibrations, Sam moaned out cumming, gripping her hair as she swallowed him whole and everything he had to offer.
"Mmmm so good." She said standing back to her feet.
"I swear it never matters, your mouth, pussy, ass they all just suck my damn soul right out of me." Sam laughed running his hand through his hair. "How much time do we have before we have to be out there?"
Mercedes licked her lips checking her phone and froze when she saw three missing texts.
JJ: Mercedes you have been ignoring my calls for over a year, mom is sick, she wants to see you
JJ: You aren't that mean that you wouldn't see her while she's fighting for her life.
JJ: Mercedes! Show up for your family!
"Merce? Baby, whats wrong?"
"Jamal just sent me a text…my mom, she's. I know I shouldn't care, but…"
"But she's your mom."
Mercedes sighed. "She has hated me my whole life, and I just wanted her love. I don't know why the thought of her dying makes me so…sad."
Sam pulled her into his arms. "Merce you would be a monster if you didn't care. Text your brother to see where they are and what we can do."
Mercedes hesitated for a moment.
MJ: What happened?
Jamal replied almost immediately.
JJ: It's her heart. But she won't stay at the hospital. She made me bring her home.
JJ: Will you come?
Mercedes looked up to Sam and sighed before replying.
MJ: I'll be there in the morning. I can take a flight to Atlanta.
JJ: We are actually in Baltimore now. I can shoot you the address.
Mercedes froze shaking her head. "Okay that's weird."
"What is?"
"They are in Baltimore."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "They are here?"
"I don't…I don't think this is a coincidence, I mean my mom swore to never leave Atlanta. Then there is the fact that it can't be a coincidence that they are texting me on my big night to drop everything for her."
"So you think they are lying?"
"My family is manipulative but Jamal has always been different. I mean sometimes he follows her plan, like drugging me but others he has my back."
Sam ran his hand over her cheek and sighed. "The only way to know what's going on is to show up. How about we go after this thing and find out for sure?"
Mercedes shifted. " I think I should wait a day. If it's really her heart he'll call me."
"Are you sure because we can go right after?" He questioned. "If you're worried we can go. I don't want you to regret this decision."
She nodded. "I'm sure I can't keep letting them dictate my life."
"Okay, we'll go when your event ends." Sam said, placing a quick kiss on her lips.
She straightened out his tie and smiled. "Thank you, now let's get back out there before they realize we got freaky in here."
Sam smacked her ass and smiled. "They have eyes, they can see why we got freaky in here."
Mercedes smiled following Sam out, as much as she wanted to tell herself to stop thinking about her mom, she couldn't. Something was wrong, they were either playing her or she was really in trouble. Either way, she had a bad feeling.
The next morning, she and Sam left and headed to her mom's place. Though the moment she stepped in there, she regretted it, she was face to face with Theo, smiling at her from ear to ear.
"Hey beautiful. It's been way too long."
He walked over to her but Sam moved in front of Mercedes. "Unless you want a repeat of the last time we met, step the fuck back."
"Tsk tsk, I guess you are still behaving like an animal? Really Mercedes you left me for that?"
Mercedes linked her hand with Sam's intending to calm him down. "Theo, where is my mother?"
"Upstairs with your brother, she would like to see you…alone." He held his hand out to her. "Shall I escort you?"
Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "The fact that you think any of that would happen is funny to me. Don't make me enforce that restraining order."
Theo dropped his hand and nodded. "Fine, follow me."
Sam leaned down to her. "If you want to leave at any time, just say the word."
She nodded as they walked into her mother's room. She was laying on the bed, Jamal at her side. Mercedes glanced around as monitors beeped. Her mother looked normal, except for a sad look on her face. "Oh Mercedes, I am so glad you are here." She said weakly.
Jamal stood. "Why is he here?" He said, nodding towards Sam.
Mercedes ignored him and sighed. "What's wrong with you Mother? Did the doctor say?"
"He should be back soon. He ran some tests…Mercedes they think it was a heart attack, I felt like I was dying."
"It's true, Mercedes this isn't the first time this has happened to mom, the first time they weren't sure at all so I demanded some help. Mom has been feeling so sick and look at her, so frail." Jamal said.
"Are we looking at the same woman?" Sam whispered into her ear.
Mercedes fought a laugh as the door opened. Mercedes watched as an older man walked in and offered them a smile. "Mrs. Jones I know you requested the heart monitor and the IV because you were dehydrated, but your blood work has come back, you didn't have a heart attack which is a great thing."
Jamal frowned. "Oh Lord its something worse isn't it? She's gonna die?"
"No! I will fight for you son, I will fight to be here with my family."
Sam shook his head. "I swear it's like watching a telenovela. Next a nurse is gonna walk in saying she's pregnant with Theo's child."
Mercedes giggled. "Stop! Besides, she'd say it was yours, and I would have to slap her silly."
The doctor shook his head. "Mrs. Jones, you are fine. It's not a heart attack or anything worse. It was flatulence."
Sam turned from them facing the wall as a laugh overtook him. "Oh my God I couldn't write this shit. Where is Stevie when I need him, he won't believe this."
"Flat-flatulence? What is that? Oh Lord, is it curable?" Jamal asked.
Mercedes shook her head. "It means she has gas you dumbass!"
"Gas?" Jamal asked face turning red.
"B-b-bu-but my heart…I felt it squeeze."
"Mrs. Jones, sometimes it can feel like that, with heartburn and gas, it can make you feel like you are having a heart attack but I assure you, your heart is strong, you are good."
Mercedes shook her head laughing. "I can't believe you called me over here, for gas. You guys have to be the worst people I have ever met. You are supposed to be my family, but you just use me, and I am done."
"Baby no. I really thought I was dying and it made me realize how much I needed you, how badly I wanted to make this work. We need you Mercedes, we can't keep going on like this. Come back home, marry Theo and take your rightful place as head of the family."
Mercedes shook her head. "So you want me to come back and take care of you. Give you access to my money, all the fame that comes from my career? Is that what this is about?"
Jamal moved closer to her. "Look we are facing some financial issues, but in the end we still love you, you are family."
Mercedes sighed. "So I come home, marry Theo and make you three happy, but what about my happiness?"
Theo moved closer to her as Sam leaned against the wall with his arms folded. "Damn I wish I brought some popcorn."
Mercedes eyed him with a smirk as Theo reached out for her. "We can right the wrong of us not being together all these years. You can invest in my company and we can be unstoppable. I still love you."
"Oh, Theo. I can't tell you how much I really can't stand your ass. I don't love you, I never loved you. And it will be a cold day in hell before I take you back. Get out of my face. I want nothing to do with any of you. If you ever call me again, I will bury you all."
"Damn! That was sexy as hell." Sam smiled. "We really need to leave…" He moved closer to her. "Unless you wanna sneak into one of these rooms before we leave."
Mercedes rolled her eyes playfully. "Boy, you're crazy."
Mercedes had made sure the restraining orders were still in tact. Then she changed her number, making it unlisted. She meant what she said, she wanted nothing to do with them. She wanted to start her life with Sam, without the stink of her family. Without the drama which was their life.
She was so preoccupied thinking about the drama with her family, that she hadn't even realized that Sam was in the room.
"Babe?" Sam asked, leaning closer to her and nuzzling her neck.
She turned her head towards him, thoughts coming back to the present. "Huh? Whe-when did you come in here?"
Sam kissed a trail down to her shoulder. "A few minutes ago. Where were you just now?"
"Oh umm I was thinking about dinner with your family and you know, the drama with mine."
Sam pulled her against him, hands moving down her sides. "That day was fun, Stevie still doesn't believe all that went down."
"We are going to be late. Let me finish getting dressed."
Sam shook his head as his hands wrapped around her waist. "Nope, we can be late, I want to show you something."
Mercedes laughed. "Sam, I have already seen all you have to show me, as impressive as it is, we can't be late."
Sam turned her in his arms. "Baby, I can be quick."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "No you can't. We both know that you like to take your time."
Sam laughed, running his fingers down her body. "I mean you have a body meant to be worshiped."
Mercedes nipped at his lips. "Later. I don't want to be late."
Sam sighed. "Finnnnneeee." he whined.
Mercedes stood on her tippy toes, kissing him softly. "Be good, and maybe we will take a bathroom break."
Sam groaned as she pulled away from him. "Temptress…sexy, evil temptress."
It didn't take long for Mercedes to finish getting ready and Sam to drive them to the restaurant. She was happy to see his family again, being around them always made her feel like she was around love. As they walked into the restaurant hand in hand, Sam leaned in kissing her cheek.
"Mercedes!" Mary said moving closer to her as she spotted them two walking towards the table.
"Hi Mrs. Evans."
Mary waved her off. "It's Mary. None of this Mrs. Evans stuff." She said as she hugged her.
Hugging Mary back, Mercedes let Mary link her arms in with her as she was led to their table.
"Ignore me, I am only your son." Sam mumbled as he walked to the table behind them.
Stevie jumped up, pulled out Mercedes' seat and smiled. "Well now, you are still just as radiant as ever."
"You act like we didn't just see you this morning, Stevie, plus weren't you supposed to be out on a date tonight?"
Stevie smiled brightly. "I… was. I actually asked her to join, she's in the restroom." He answered with a sly grin.
Sam narrowed his eyes on his little brother. "Why do I have the uneasy feeling we either know her or she's the spitting image of Mercedes?" He teased.
"Wait, do you have a twin because I will absolutely dump my girl."
Mercedes snickered. "No, it's just me, sorry besides…" She nodded her head in the direction behind Stevie. "I'm sure your date wouldn't be too happy to know that."
Stevie slowly turned, seeing his date standing there with an unamused expression. "Marrleyyy… babyy… how was the bathroom?"
Sam beamed, walking around the table before pulling the petite woman into a bear hug. "Well shit, how the hell did he manage to get you back?"
The brunette laughed, hugging him back. "I reckon the same way you won her back… on his knees." She quipped,
"Oh I like her." Mercedes chimed in.
"We all do." Mary beamed. "It's about time my boys had women who could handle them. Not many can. Evans men are…"
"Are what dear?" Dwight asked amused.
"Trouble! With a capital T. And you know it. When I met Dwight, he tried to woo me by proving he was better than me, then when I beat him over and over again he got all moody and broody."
Mercedes laughed. "That definitely runs in the family."
"Hey Evans men don't brood."
"Yeah they do!" All three women said together with a laugh.
Dwight shook his head. "Seems we have been outnumbered… again. One of you really needs to even the odds and give me a grandson."
Sam looked at Mercedes. "I'd be down for that." He said and she just smiled.
"In due time, so how's it been going Stacey? I feel like we haven't talked in forever even though it's only been a few days." Mercedes said.
Stacey clapped her hands excitedly. "Well that's because Sam has been hogging you but to answer your question I've been out scouting for a new horse."
"That's right, we are looking for another horse. Gotta make sure Cedes here has one." Mary said.
Mercedes almost choked on her drink. "What? You're getting me a horse? Why?"
"Because you're family of course." Dwight replied.
She looked at everyone, feeling herself getting choked up. "Ummm… wow…I… thank you. I didn't realize I had that much of an impact on everyone."
Sam rubbed her back, smiling. "We all love you babe."
"You already know how I feel about you." Stevie said and Marley tilted her head at him.
"Please, do tell us how you feel."
His eyes grew wide. "She's my sis, we're buddies, pals… I sometimes stare at her ass when she walks away BUT I don't ogle!"
Sam rolled his eyes. "I thought we talked about you looking at her in general."
Mercedes and Mary shared a look before snickering.
Dwight leaned into Stevie. "What did I tell you son? Look don't linger!"
"Yo! I am not loving the fact that you both are staring at my girl's ass." Sam scowled.
"Really? And what about all the partons in this place? You mad at them too?" Stevie said folding his arms. "And don't think I don't see you checking out Marley's legs."
Sam's eyes widened. "I do not!"
Marley sat next to Mary and Mercedes. "Here, take some bread."
"Thanks sweetie, we all know once they get started its gonna be a minute." Mary said, causing the other two women to nod and laugh.
Sam linked his hand in Mercedes as he led her down the path. Mercedes smiled as it was lit up by small lanterns. She leaned against his shoulder. "I love nights like this Sam."
"I do too. We've been through a lot haven't we?" Sam said, kissing her forehead.
"Yeah but we came out stronger on the other side."
Sam led her further down and stopped in front of a beautiful ranch farm house. The white horizontal siding was a bright contrast to the black shutters and black window frames.
The dark grey on the roof added a great contrast to the house. Mercedes stepped back taking it in. She knew the location, but this wasn't the house Sam had built for his ex. That two story house had blue siding and looked miserable as Sam had felt.
"Sam it's beautiful. What did you do?"
Sam pulled her closer to the front door. "I created that old house because I wanted to make my ex want to be with me. But this house…" He handed her the key and nodded for her to open it.
Mercedes took the key, taking a breath before opening it. She gasped at the most beautiful floor plan she had ever seen. The open floor plan started with a foyer with a mudroom on the left that was connected to the garage, and an office on the right.
"With the help of Stevie and my dad, and a few others. We tore down the house out of obligation and built this house whose foundation stands on love." Sam moved to the double barn doors and opened it. "This room is your writing office."
Mercedes walked into the lavender painted room, with white built ins, that had her novels, and awards on them, plus photos of them and beautiful hardwood floors. There was a desk in the middle of the room which had her laptop but also a desk top.
"Sam? This is…oh this is beautiful."
Sam grinned. "Wait, what if you had to go to the bathroom?" He moved to the build ins and opened the door to reveal a full bath with a shower. "For the days when your muse strikes and we don't want to go to the other side of the house." He teased.
Leading her out of the office and to the living room, she loved the open floor plan where the kitchen, dining and family rooms were connected. As she walked to the kitchen she gasped. The extra large island, two tones cabinets of blue and white, white uppers and blue lowers, which she wouldn't have picked for her own but it worked. The six burner stovetop and farmhouse kitchen sink and hidden pantry was everything she wanted.
As they toured the rest of the four bedroom, four bath, office, gameroom and the indoor/outdoor patio with built in grill and outdoor kitchen, Sam literally created her dream home.
"Sam its perfect. This house is everything."
Sam shook his head. "No, this is just a house, you are everything. Mercedes I used to think that my ex broke my heart, that she ruined love for me. But then I met you and I realized that I wasn't in love. I was settling for something that just wasn't for me."
Mercedes took a breath watching as Sam stepped back and fall down to his knee.
"You are it for me Mercedes, and its not just because we have hot passionate sex all the time. Its because you see me, you make me want to be a better man and you make me want to be a dad. Mercedes Jones, will you move into this house with me."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Sam nodded. "Yes will you move in here with me. I have the spare key somewhere hold on,"
Mercedes frowned as Sam sighed. "Well I can't find the spare key, all I can find is this." He held up a ring box, opening it to reveal a 3 carat oval cut diamond ring on a platinum setting.
yes we left it at a cliffhanger hahaha!