Hey guys so here is book one of Exes with Kids! Enjoy
It was that time of the week again. The time Sam loathed the most, he had to exchange with his ex. They shared four-year-old twin boys, and there was always something each week.
He pulled into the park, where they mutually agreed they would do each exchange during mediation, and spotted her standing by the swings. He groaned; her back was to him, and he was reminded yet again why she was going to be his kryptonite for life.
It was never a lack of attraction. No, he was always going to find her attractive, but they just weren't compatible. She was hot-headed and refused to let him make the important decisions for their family, so they split, and he didn't look back.
Well, that was a lie. He looked back—exactly four and a half years ago—and now they were in this situation.
"Alright, kiddos, time to go with mommy," Sam said, looking back at their twins.
They were exceptionally cute. He wouldn't even lie and say it was all him because they looked like her, too. That had her big doe eye and cute nose.
They inherited his eye color and full lips; he had to force himself not to think about hers. They were dangerous. The things she could do with them and the things that she said made her a threat on multiple levels.
He unbuckled and got out before doing the same for the twins. He made them each grab a hand before they walked toward their mom.
He let their hands go when they were close enough, smiling as they ran towards their mom.
"Mommy!" They said, laughing as they ran into her arms.
She kneeled, scooped them both, and planted kisses all over their faces. "My babies," she said. "Did you have fun with your daddy?"
They both nodded, and she looked over at Sam before putting them down. "Alright, how about you two go play while I talk to your daddy?"
"Okay, Mommy!" They said in unison before running off to play."
She waited before walking over to him. "Sam."
Sam looked at her, his eyes lingering before looking over at Lucas and James. "Mercedes."
"You're looking…" she paused, looking him over. "Solid."
"You too. Lucas needs to go to an eye doctor." He replied. "James was cleared."
Nodding, she looked back at their kids, smiling. "James not needing glasses is still surprising."
Sam chuckled. "That boy swears he can't see, and it ends up being Lucas." Mercedes laughed in agreement and hated how much he missed that sound. "Mom's wanting to see them Saturday."
She looked at him over her shoulder. "I already have plans, but maybe Sunday?"
"She said she tried to call, but you didn't answer."
"I'm not married to you anymore, so that means I'm not accessible to your mother anymore."
This is why they broke up. She had a way of saying things so calmly, but they cut you at the same time. Sam turned so that he could face her directly.
"That doesn't mean she doesn't have access to her grandchildren. You don't have to ignore my mom because of our failed relationship."
Mercedes shook her head. "Are you forgetting what your mother said to me when we got divorced? I was always accessible to her while we were married, and now that I don't have that obligation, do you want me to play nice?"
"Just tell her when she can see them during your week," Sam replied dismissively.
"Excuse the fuck out of me! I don't have to let her see them, period. They came out of me; they are my children, and if I don't want her to see them during my week, then guess what? She ain't seeing them! She knows our schedule; why didn't she see them during your week?"
"We weren't home! I told you I was taking them camping and that we wouldn't have the chance to stop by my parents. Don't make this difficult, Mercy."
She locked her eyes on mine. "Don't- you don't call me that again." She snapped. "BOYS!" She shouted.
Sam sighed. "Don't cut their time short; I'll go."
"It's fine. You can do as you please, but we're leaving," she said, plastering on a smile when their sons approached. "Time to tell daddy bye."
Lucas looked between his parents before giving Sam a hug. "Bye, Daddy."
James frowned. "Daddy's not coming?"
Mercedes bent down to him and nodded. "Daddy has to go back to his home, but you will see him next week."
"I don't want Daddy to go." James protested tearfully, latching onto Sam's legs.
Sam sighed. He hated seeing his sons upset, and lately, it seemed Lucas was upset when it was time to leave Mercedes, and James was upset when it was time to leave him. "Hey buddy, how about I take you to mommy's car? And I promise we will make a fort in the living room next week like we did before."
James nodded as Sam picked him up. Mercedes took Lucas's hand, following him to the car.
Sam kissed James on his forehead as he placed him in the car seat. "It's going to be okay, I promise."
"Are you leaving because Nana said Mommy is selfish?" James asked, and Sam could feel Mercedes' eyes boring into his back.
"Your mother said what to my child?" Mercedes said through gritted teeth.
Sam internally swore this was not what he needed. Kissing Lucas on the forehead, then giving James another one, he shut the door. "Don't wanna hear it, Mercy-Cedes, Mercedes. I don't wanna hear it."
"You know what, Sam…have a good week."
Sam knew she wanted to say something more. He knew her, her body language, her tone, and that look on her face. Somehow, some way, he was going to pay for what his mom said.
He watched Mercedes pull out of the parking lot and walked back to his car. His mom and Mercedes didn't have the best relationship, and honestly, that was his fault.
Anytime he was upset or angry, he went to his mom and dad; their relationship was so solid and strong, and it was everything Sam wished his marriage was. So anytime that Mercedes irked him or pissed him off, he was right there telling his mother all the things that she did wrong.
Mercedes used to tell him that he spent so much time with his mom that there was no room for her.
As he got into his car, he felt his phone vibrate, and he frowned, seeing his mother calling. Exhaling, he answered the phone. "Hey, ma."
"Sammy! I wanted to say goodbye to the boys before you dropped them off and to make sure you asked Mercedes about me seeing them."
"Yeah, I already dropped them off. Mom, did you tell the boys their mother was selfish?"
"I mean, I didn't say it directly to them, but she is, what kind of mother-"
"No! Dammit, Mom, it's been hard enough dealing with the boys going here and there; now I have to monitor them while they are in your care?"
"Of course you don't!" Mary defended.
"Mom, things have been decent considering the whole sharing custody, but it can go from decent to petty and vindictive real quick, and that is something I don't want or need. And neither do they."
Mary huffed. "Sam, we have some of the best lawyers, and I don't mind pulling favors if it comes to that."
"You're missing the point completely! I don't want it to come to that, nor would I take them away from her; she's a damn good mother." Sam chided.
"It's not like she can do anything; she's nothing, just some-"
"Ma! Stop it! She gave you your grandchildren; she was my wife for many years before that. She is not nothing, and if you think going toe to toe with Mercedes Shanice Evans, then you're in for a hell of a fight. Stop talking bad about my kid's mother."
His mother scoffed. "Sounds like you're still in love with her."
He was and always would be, and for more than one reason. "If you want to see your grandchildren again, I suggest you heed my advice."
"Don't get all manly with me, I am still your mother, and I didn't know they heard what I said, but I still stand by those words. She is selfish! She left you high and dry, then seduced you, and now you have to pay her all that money in child support while she sits on her ass all day! So forgive me for being outraged for my son."
Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. "God, ma, kill the dramatics. Show respect to Mercedes, or you won't see them during my week either," he replied before hanging up.
He laid his head on the steering wheel for a moment before making the rash decision to date. He was gonna go to Mercedes and make sure their son was okay.