I'm double-updating since you have been so amazingly patient. I'm sorry. I've been really sick, and then things happened, but I am still here, just slow. Also, don't forget to Vote for Amber! She is up for CMT performance of the year! You get ten votes per email, so go nuts! Let's get our girl a win!
I object! They can't get married! I won't allow it!"
Mercedes turned towards the back to see Preston standing there with a cameraman and his new wife, Bunny.
"I'm sorry, did this negro just say it won't allow it?" Roz said, looking at Mercedes.
"That's exactly what I said! I will not allow you to do this!" Preston said, pushing forward.
Mercedes looked at Sam, who protectively put Faith and the twins behind him. She looked back at Preston. "What are you doing here? How did you get past the gate?"
Preston smiled. "The caterers let us in; we explained we were guests. Bunny here is going to do a story on this farce of a wedding."
Mercedes looked at Roz, who nodded and took the kids away from the scene. The guests turned their attention onto them as Mercedes waved for security.
"Mercedes, this is a fake wedding, and we can prove it. You were just set to marry Biff McIntosh. We have his written statement that you met with him."
Mercedes shook her head. "Not that I owe you or anyone an explanation. I did meet with Biff; he was referred to me by a friend as a manny just for the days Sam and I were unable to get the kids, but we decided to go against him. Because he's an asshole. Now, security, please remove them!"
The two security guards grabbed Preston and the cameraman. Preston stepped forward, trying to break away from them. "You can't do this! He doesn't know you or love you, and you are just trying to get over on me."
Sam moved in front of Mercedes and stared Preston down. "I believe my bride asked you to leave; I advise you to do so; I won't be as kind as she was."
Preston stepped close to Sam; though he was one or two inches shorter, he tried to stand taller. "Look, whatever she's paying you, I will double it once she's exposed. You don't have to debase yourself to marry her; come on, man, a good-looking guy like you can have any woman you want. See my wife; she has a sister, hotter than her!"
"Preston!" Bunny shouted.
"What? Sunny is sexier than you and freer with her body… flexible too," he smirked. He cleared his throat as Bunny glared at him. "Look, I am just saying you can have that in your bed tonight with money in your pocket. Just say the word."
"First of all, Bunny, your husband basically just told everyone he's sleeping with your sister, so I would look into that. And second, you just don't get it." Sam said as the camera zoomed in. "When you look at Mercedes all you ever saw was dollar signs. That's all she was to you, all she will ever be. And that is sad because not only did she give you that beautifully amazing daughter, but she is beautiful, talented, smart, and worthy of love. You never saw the woman; that is your loss and my gain. So leave because if you don't, there are a few men, besides me, who see her in all her glory and want the honor of kicking your ass."
Preston stepped back, shaking his head. "If you touch me, it's assault."
"No, not on our property because you are trespassing."
"Preston…I am not getting arrested because you are a dumbass! I can't believe you slept with my sister!"
Preston frowned. "It was only a few times when you were away! I have needs! I still love you!"
"He only threatened to take you to court because he knew or he thought you'd pay up," Bunny growled. "He never wanted his daughter! And it's a shame because you are right; she's precious." Bunny said sadly. And Mercedes, I am sorry he dragged me into this. I didn't know he was such a pig. He told me it was you who cheated, and he was lonely…and I was dumb and loved him, so I believed him."
Mercedes nodded. "I know; he can be charming when he lies. I never held anything against you, Bunny."
The blonde nodded, walking away and waving Preston off as he tried to reach for her. Preston looked at the camera, then at her. "You can stop filming! And I never said that; Bunny is a liar; Mercedes must have paid her off."
"The hell?" Bunny said, walking in front of the camera. "Yes, he did! He said that Mercedes was weak, and soon we'd get her daughter and millions."
The cameraman smiled. "This is too good. I am going to make a lot of money off this tape.
Preston tried to block the camera's view. "That wasn't our deal! You work for me?"
The cameraman laughed. "Bruh, I am a freelancer. I work for myself, and you just paid for me to remodel my home." He looked at Mercedes. "Ms. Jones, I do hope you will accept my apology, and may I add, you look stunning, and your groom looks handsome; you make a gorgeous couple."
Mercedes smiled. "Thank you. I know you were brought here and promised a story; if you'd like, maybe we can give you a small exclusive. I know two people in love isn't a huge story."
He smiled. "It's a true love story, and who doesn't love that? On top of what I got from Preston, this will surely get me hired somewhere. I can film the ceremony and give you a copy."
Mercedes looked at Sam. "What do you think."
He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Anything you want if that means I get to marry you sooner."
Mercedes blushed as Quinn walked over to them, clapping her hands. "Security, please remove this trash from this home, and if he resists, have him arrested. Please get Roz and the kids back here, and Sam and Mercedes will take your place. We have a wedding to finish."
As everyone took their places, Mercedes took Sam's hand in hers. "I am so sorry all this happened."
Sam shook his head, kissing her hand. "We knew he would try something. But it backfired, and now, not only does he look like an idiot, but Bunny exposed him, so he can't take your company. Now, he can still file, but we have a stronger case now."
She nodded, a small ghost of a frown playing on her lips. For a moment, she let herself forget that this wasn't real…or rather as real as she wished it was.
Sam caressed her cheek. "What's on your mind?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, you ready?"
He hesitated, knowing she was lying, but they could dissect her feelings after the ceremony.
As everyone moved back into place, Sebastian smiled. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we? Sam and Mercedes have decided to speak their own vows. Let's start with you, Sam."
Sam linked his hand with Mercedes as he smiled at her. "When I first met you, I had no idea who you were; I just thought you were this very beautiful, very generous woman. You have saved me, you've helped heal me, and honestly, I don't think my life could get any better than it is right now, at this moment."
Mercedes sniffed, trying to regain her emotions as he continued, seeing the raw, compassionate truth in his eyes. "I don't know what I did in my life to be as fortunate as I am, but the twins and I know that our family isn't going to be complete until this is official and you and Faith join us."
Sam smiled down at Faith and then back at Mercedes. "I promise to tell you how amazing you are because, honestly, I don't think you really know. I promise to love you and protect you at all times, not just the easy ones but the hard ones, too. Like no matter what, it's you, me, and our family. I love you."
A tear slid down her face, and Sam wiped it before kissing her tears away.
"Mercedes…" Sebastian encouraged.
"Okay, I can't believe you got me over here crying and messing up my makeup," she joked.
"You're still beautiful." Sam said.
"Sam…" Mercedes started. "My life was far from a fairy tale. In fact, it was starting to be a nightmare. Faith and I were fortunate to be surrounded by family, but I saw everyone happy and in love, and I was lonely. Then I met you, and immediately, that loneliness went away. I knew from the moment I saw you in my office that you were special."
Sam nodded so that she could continue silently encouraging her.
"I'm not necessarily in the business where people see you; they see your talent and your money, but you, like everyone in here, saw something in me that the world doesn't get to see. And you wanted to get to know me. You were interested in me and not my career. I am thankful for you, for the support, the love, for everything. I promise you don't have to be guarded with me, just like I don't have to be with you. I love you. And I am here in good, bad, all of it."
Sam pulled her to him and kissed her soundly as Sebastian shook his head. "Hey! I haven't even gotten to that part yet."
Pulling away, Sam looked at Sebastian, though he didn't let Mercedes go. "Continue." He said smugly.
Sebastian laughed. "Sam Evans, do you take Mercedes Jones to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, richer or poorer, to love and to cherish for as long as you live?"
Sam smiled, nipping her lips. "I do."
"And Mercedes Jones, do you take Sam Evans to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, richer or poorer, to love and to cherish for as long as you live?"
She nodded. "Of course I do."
Sebastian looked at the kids. "Can I have those rings, please, my little helpers?"
Stevie held Sam's ring for Mercedes as the girls held up the other.
"Sam, please place the ring on Mercedes's finger and repeat after me: "I give this ring as a sign of my love."
Creating a little space between them, Sam placed the ring on Mercedes's finger. "I give this ring as a sign of my love."
Mercedes takes Sam's ring and does the same for him. "I give this ring as a sign of my love."
Sebastian smiled. "With the power vested in me by the state of California because I wanted to make extra money on the side in school, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride…again."
Before the words were fully out of Sebastain's mouth, Sam had pulled Mercedes into a toe-curling kiss, dipping her in the process.
Everyone applauded as Sam kissed her and wrapped her up in his arms. "You are stuck with me now," he said, nipping her lips.
"Wouldn't want to be stuck with anyone else." She said smiling.
Sebastian beamed. "Let me be the first to congratulate and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Mercedes Evans."
Sam led Mercedes down the aisle, and Sebastian looked to the guests. "The caterers asked that we give them about twenty minutes to finish setting up. So there are hourdoves and drinks in the kitchen and dining room while we wait for them to rearrange the outside."
Sam looked at Blaine. "Can you watch the kids for a moment?"
Blaine smirked. "Yeah, I think I can do that."
As Sam grabbed her hand, she tilted her head. "Where are we going?"
Sam smirked. "I need to talk to my wife, just for a moment."
Pulling her into the front closet, which was the size of a small bedroom, he pushed her against the door.
"Sam…I know that whole Preston thing was a mess. I am so sorry you had to deal with that."
"What? Oh, I don't care about that. We need to talk about you and this dress."
She looked at him, confused. "My dress?"
Sam ran his hands up the silky material. "Yes, how you decided to wear this dress just to torture me."
"Is that what you think?"
Sam nodded, pressing into her as he lifted the dress.
"Sam, we have guests out there, and if you mess up my hair or makeup…"
"I have no intention of doing that, but I will enjoy my wife…I didn't think I would like how that sounds, but I do."
Mercedes wrapped her arms around him as he quickly pulled his own pants down.
"It's going to be hard, but I will make this quick. They said we had twenty minutes, right?"
She was about to speak, but he pushed inside of her, gripping her thighs as he did.
Throwing her head back, she moaned out. "Sam!"
"Shhh baby, we don't want to get caught," Sam said as he thrust into her. "I swear every time I get inside of you, I feel at home."
"Faster, baby, I need more." She said as he pushed deeper.
"I got you." Sam moved faster, holding her up as he moved faster, wanting to push her over that sweet edge before someone came looking for them.
Santana linked her hand with Quinn as they walked around looking for Mercedes. She narrowed her eyes as she noticed the cameraman by the closet.
"Ahem, what are you doing?"
The cameraman offered a soft smile. I am not gonna lie; I want to get a photo of them coming out of the closet. It's clear they love each other, but that will take all this over the top…only two people really into each other sneak off in the middle of their wedding."
Santana and Quinn looked at each other and knew he was right; this would be good for them. "You wait right here. I need to talk to my girl," Santana said, knowing that Mercedes and Sam would probably be coming out in the next few moments.
"So we are letting him catch them?" Quinn asked.
"Look what happened out there? Preston's plan backfired and now the world will know they are together. His catching Sam and Mercedes will be the icing on the cake. She will be pissed, but in the end, they will know we were right."
Quinn nodded as the door opened, and Mercedes and Sam both walked out looking flushed. After taking a few photos, the cameraman smiled and walked away as Santana rushed over to her.
"A booty call? Really?"
Sam smirked. "You see her in this dress, right?"
Santana laughed, shaking her head. "You right…I get it."
Mercedes smoothed down her dress. "Well, we have a party to go to, and I am hungry."
Sam pulled her close. "Let's get you some food; you'll need it for later."
Mercedes giggled, and Quinn leaned into her. "You are glowing…you know that?"
"Am I?" Mercedes asked as they looked around.
"You are, and I am going to need you to keep it. If you show up tomorrow all happy and in love, it will go a long way with the judge. I found out from an angry Bunny that the judge who signed the notice won't be the judge handling your case."
"Well, that's good…right?"
Quinn nodded. "We will see tomorrow. But for now, enjoy your night."
Preston sat in his car, slamming his fist on the steering wheel. "Look, Biff, you screwed the pooch on this one! All you had to do was act like a decent human!"
"It's not my fault your ex is a stuck-up bitch. What do you want from me?"
"I want you to talk about the contract."
Biff laughed. "You are a crazy son of a bitch if you think I am going to jail for you!"
"I promise you won't see a jail cell," Preston lied. He truly didn't care about Biff; he just wanted his money.
"What else are you gonna do? How are you gonna keep me out of jail?"
Preston smirked. "Oh, don't worry. I have a plan."