When they pulled up to her home she expected to see her mother's car but didn't. Thank God… a conversation I don't have to have today. She must've spoken too soon because just as she was opening the door with Sam behind her she heard another vehicle pull up and knew instantly it was her mom. She grunted and let Sam in before turning around and walking back out with the best smile she could muster.
"Umm… Mercy baby, why are you home and did I see a man with you?" Her mother asked stepping out of her car. Mercedes chose not to answer by opening the backdoor and grabbing Charlie and her diaper bag.
"Moma, can we talk about this later? I just… it was just a bad morning." She replied avoiding her mother's glare by tickling Charlie and giving her a long hug. Her sweet smile could make any day better and that's exactly what she needed at the moment. Jill was standing there with her arms crossed and her "you better start talking now before I find out on my own" face and she knew she had no choice but to tell her the truth.
"Puck." was all Mercedes said before walking away and back into her house where Sam was waiting patiently.
When she walked in she saw him standing in front of her fireplace looking at the pictures on the mantle. He turned around when he heard the cutest little laugh and smiled when he saw Mercedes holding who he guessed was her daughter. She looks so beautiful holding her little girl. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before he heard someone clear their throat making him look behind her to the older woman. She looked like an older version of Mercedes but still very beautiful, her hair was long and wavy and slightly peppering. He noticed those doe brown eyes and knew immediately that Mercedes had gotten her eyes and those wonderful curves from her.
"Moma, this is Sam Evans. He's one of my colleagues at my firm, Sam, this is my mother Jill Jones and this little cutie is my daughter Charlie, well Charlotte." She said taking the little girl's hand and waving it at him, making him smile brightly.
"Hi Mrs. Jones, It's nice meeting you." Sam walked over and offered his hand which she took, then he turned to Mercedes and her daughter smiled at the little girl who seemed somewhat intrigued by the strange man.
"Hello there Charlie, it's nice to meet you as well." He said shaking her little hand which she seemed to find hilarious because she let out a loud laugh and began reaching for him. Sam looked at Mercedes for approval which she gave with a sweet smile and a nod, then handed her over to him.
It had been a while since he'd held a baby and he forgot how much he really wanted kids. He couldn't resist trying to make her laugh by making silly faces and sounds which she obliged with her giggles. Mercedes and her mother watched Sam being completely silly with Charlie and couldn't help laughing at how crazy the faces he was making. After a while she began to get a little fussy and Sam nervously looked at Mercedes but didn't readily hand her over.
"It's time for her nap." She said softly and reached for her but Charlie pulled away and stayed with Sam.
"Looks like someone has a crush on the nice man." Jill said, chuckling, causing Sam to blush.
"Umm… if you tell me what to do I don't mind." Sam said while he gently patted the little girls back. He stopped when he felt Mercedes' hand on his and moving in up and down her back showing him that she preferred that over being patted to sleep.
"Come sit, she gets heavy after a few minutes." Jill said, nodding towards the sofa and shooting her daughter a look as Sam sat down and continued soothing the baby to sleep and lightly hummed as it did so.
"Mercy baby, why don't we get some brunch started?" Jill asked, trying to get her daughter alone.
"Umm… okay. Sam, are you going to be okay?" She asked feeling somewhat territorial all of a sudden, the only man her daughter was left alone with was her father and that was when she was still an infant. Sam looked up and gave her a small smile and a reassuring nod letting her know it was okay. Mercedes walked over to them and gently ran her hand through her daughter's curly hair before following her mother into her kitchen.
"Explain." Jill said with her hand on her hip looking at her daughter.
"Moma..."
"Don't you moma me girl, now tell me what happened and don't you dare lie to me."
"Fine… your husband called Puck and fed him a whole bunch of lies and he showed up at my job. It was the same as last time… he demanded to see Charlie and when I told him no he got… rough." She said, wiping a tear that fell from her cheek.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't know he was still in contact with Noah but… maybe you should let him see her?"
"Really! He signed over his rights when he got that other bitch pregnant!" Mercedes said through gritted teeth as she walked over to her fridge and started pulling out eggs, milk and bacon. She couldn't believe her mother would even fix herself up to consider allowing Noah near her baby.
"Hey now, you watch how you speak to me. I'm just saying maybe he'll leave you alone after he sees her. I mean if that's all he really wants then what's the harm in letting him see his daughter. Whether you like it or not, he will always be her father and the sooner you accept that the easier it'll be for you." Jill replied. Mercedes chewed her bottom lip while she walked over to her pantry to grab some bread so she could make French toast, she also grabbed some cinnamon and vanilla before going back over to the counter where the rest of the items were currently.
"Moma, I've thought about it but I just can't… he chose not to be in her life and now I'm supposed to just roll over and give him what he wants? How is that fair to me huh? Daddy keeps pushing him down my throat and telling me that I should give him a second chance and that he's so ashamed of me blah blah blah. Like what did I do that made him want to disown me? He's literally choosing a man that physically and emotionally hurt his own flesh and blood..." Mercedes said while making the batter and turning away when she felt more tears coming. She really missed her father but she wasn't going to let him berate her every time she saw him. She loved him dearly but she didn't want Charlie to think that was normal interaction for a father and daughter so she stopped speaking to him and though it hurt it was best for her.
"Listen baby, all I'm saying is give him a chance to get to know his daughter. Do it for Charlotte let her decide if she wants him in her life. She knows you're her mother and she will always love you but when she gets older she will resent you for making this decision for her." Jill replied, placing the bacon into the pan for cooking. Mercedes took her mother's words in and would consider it but he couldn't know where she lived so it would have to be somewhere public and preferably with Tina there so there wouldn't be any problems. She and her mother continued cooking in silence and then plated the food for the three of them, her mother nodded for her to go and get Sam before grabbing the powdered sugar and syrup and a few glasses for the orange juice.
"Sam?" Mercedes said walking back into the living room to where she left him and her daughter. She didn't get a response so she walked around to face him and immediately felt her heart melt at the sight of Sam sleeping soundly with Charlie still in his arms. She wanted so badly to take a picture but decided against it, she moved closer and gently shook his shoulder before grabbing Charlie from his grip.
"Huh?" Sam said, jerking awake at the Mercedes taking Charlie.
"You fell asleep… we made some brunch if you want some." Mercedes replied with a small smirk.
"Oh, I don't want to impose… besides I need to get back to the office." He said standing and fixing his tie before his stomach grumbled.
"Look Evans, you have time to eat besides my mother isn't going to let you leave before you do. So go and save us both from being lectured." Mercedes said laughing and walked up the stairs to put Charlotte down. He nodded and went into the kitchen where Jill was siting and smiled as he approached her.
"I know she's going to hate me for saying this so I'm going to say it quickly. Thank you for protecting my baby and for being such a gentleman, especially with Charlotte. My daughter isn't too keen on letting just anyone near her baby so thank you." She said, grabbing his hand and squeezing it gently before letting it go and handing him a plate as Mercedes reappeared.
"Baby, I have to run. I thought I had time to eat but I need to get to the cabin before the delivery guys do. I love you and kiss my sweet Char for me. Sam, it was nice meeting you and don't be a stranger." Jill said, excusing herself and kissing her daughter on the forehead before leaving. Sam and Mercedes sat in silence for a moment before Sam decided to ask her a question that has been bothering him.
"Was he your husband?" He asked and immediately regretted it when she stiffened.
"Yes..." She said softly. Sam studied her expression for a moment and saw that she was holding back a lot of anger and hurt.
"Did he… did he harm you?" Sam asked carefully knowing that he was stepping into dangerous territory but when he walked in he could see she was nervous to have her ex that close to her.
"Not necessarily he pushed me into my desk today but never hit me." She said poking at the food on her plate.
"What kind of security do you have here?"
"I just lock up." She answered honestly.
"I'm going to have a friend stop by and install a security system, since you'll be here for the rest of the day I can make sure he comes today." Sam said in a way that let her know he wasn't suggesting or asking.
"Umm… I'm not some helpless flower. I can protect myself and my daughter if needed and Noah doesn't know where we live." She said defensively. Sam looked at her and tilted his head slightly before nodding and taking a sip of the orange juice while texting on his phone. She suddenly felt annoyed at his dismissive reaction to what she just said and grabbed his and her plate and cleared the table. She cleaned the plates and walked back to where she left him and realized he hadn't even noticed she just did that, she was about to go off on him but noticed he was on the phone and stopped herself.
She stood there with her arms crossed and waited until he ended his call, when he finally did, he noticed she had removed everything from the table. He looked back and saw her standing there and shot her a confused look before standing and walking over to where she was with an apologetic smile.
"His name is Mike Chang and he'll be over in about two hours, brunch was amazing… well the bit of it got that is and you have an adorable daughter." Sam said looking down at her before grabbing his phone that was buzzing.
"Did you not hear a word I said?" Mercedes said, rolling her eyes and remembering why she didn't want to work with him.
"About you not being a helpless flower and that your ex doesn't know where you live? Yeah I heard you
and I took what you said into consideration but like it or not Mike will be here in two hours." Sam said nonchalantly and ignoring her glare.
"Do you expect me to bend over and scream your name later or is there a build up to it?" Mercedes asked, shocking Sam.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me Evans! You literally just made a decision about my life without even really knowing me and then you have the nerve to say you took what I said into 'consideration' who the hell do you think you are huh?"
"I-I'm sorry… I just thought it would be helpful and that it would make you feel safer. I will call Mike and tell him not to worry."
"Thank you, now before all of this happens my assistant was supposed to confirm our meeting tonight."
"I'll be here at 6:00pm, I actually don't live far from here so it'll be great." Sam said looking at his watch then back at her with a small smile.
"I have to go… you sure you're going to be okay?" He asked as they walked towards the door.
"Yep, I'll be just fine. Thank you again and… sorry for snapping I just… I already have one man trying to dictate my life. I really don't need another one doing it." She said, sighing.
"Yeah… My girlfriend tells me all the time I need to work on that. I really am sorry Mercedes and the offer still stands. I can give you Mike's information later just so you'll have it and here's my number in case you need to reach me to reschedule." Sam replied giving her one of his business cards. She smiled when he mention his girlfriend and couldn't help but wonder what she was like and how in the hell she dealt with him.
"I'll keep that in mind and she sounds wise." Mercedes quipped with a small giggle. Sam looked at her with a strange smile and nodded in agreement.
"Great, now I have two beautiful women telling me I'm controlling, there's no winning in sight. Thanks again for brunch and I'll see you later this evening." Sam winked at her before walking out the door. Mercedes rolled her eyes at his antics and closed the door, locking it before grabbing her things and heading towards her office to get some work done while Charlie slept.
