Thank you, guys, for being so patient! I have heard you, and I am listening. Shout out to Whoknowstv! You have been missed so much! You know I love you! Stay safe and blessed. Check out the new updates for Royal Secret and Magic Waters! Husband for Hire will be up soon week as well as Watch over me and What are the Chances!
Sam sat at his desk at home, checking his phone. He had three meetings coming up, and Kitty was coming over for lunch, and all he could think was, why was Mercedes not texting back if she was okay?
SE: Am I gonna have to send out an SOS to make sure you are okay?
[Ten Minutes later]
SE: Mercedes?!
MJ: Sorry. I was in the movies, and my phone was off. I am fine, Evans.
SE: Movies? It's 1 pm.
MJ: And?
MJ: Not that it's any of your concern, but I wanted to talk to Cody about the babies. So we took a hooky day.
MJ: Why are you blowing up my phone anyways? Don't you have work? A life?"
SE: You are carrying my kids; you are my life.
SE: I just mean you are important, and I want you-
SE: I did not mean to send that.
MJ: Of course, you didn't.
"Hey, Sam, you ready for lunch?" Kitty asked, walking into the room and stopping as she saw Sam. "Who are you over there flirting with? You cheating on me?"
Sam looked up and shook his head. "Give me a second."
SE: I have to go, but you are eating enough, right?
MJ: Yes, dad
SE: Mmmm, you do look like the kind of woman who would call me daddy
MJ: Again, I ask do you have an off switch
"Sam!" Kitty said, snapping him out of his thoughts.
MJ: I am eating enough, and I am drinking water. Now Cody wants to go to the arcade text you later.
SE: Have fun.
Sam put his phone down, and Kitty shook her head. "Who were you texting, Sam? I thought we agreed to tell each other everything."
Sam nodded. "We did, and I need to talk to you about something that happened."
Kitty frowned. "Don't tell me you had sex on me? I know I've been gone a while, but damn, we had an agreement."
"I didn't have sex, Kitty." Sam said, waving for her to grab a seat.
Kitty took a seat and lifted her hands to him. "What's happening? Don't think I haven't noticed something has changed in the last week."
Sam nodded. "I was hoping to tell you sooner, but I know you and the girls were celebrating. Kitty, you remember how I went to Schuester Clinic?"
Kitty raised an eyebrow and then nodded. "Wait, when you were sick? When you thought you couldn't have kids?"
Sam nodded. "Well turns out they made a mistake, and there is a woman out there carrying my children."
Kitty whipped her head up from inspecting her nails. "Kids? What are you talking about?"
Sam sighed. "Do you remember that night a few months back I told you about?"
Kitty laughed. "Do I remember the only woman who made you break your no-kissing rule? Of course. What? Did she come back for more?"
Sam shook his head; when he met Kitty, they both knew they could be a powerhouse together. Sam hadn't had much luck when it came to love. Most of the women he dealt with didn't see him as anything but a loser until he became rich, and then they saw him for his money.
Date after date, Sam was tired of finding women who wanted something from him. Who used him for everything he had and never gave in return. Sam was fed up with searching for a love that would never come. While he wanted to believe that maybe the love of his life was out there, he wasn't sure it was in the cards for him.
When Blaine introduced him to Kitty, they hit it off. She was beautiful and intelligent, and she knew what she wanted. So she and Sam entered a deal. She would continue to model and enjoy her life, Sam would focus on his career, and they would get together when they needed a date or the night got too lonely.
After a few months together, they bonded over the fact that they were both tired of being hurt and used and created their ten-year plan. It wasn't based on love; both gave up on that and focused on what they could do for each other.
"So what does the woman from the club have to do with the clinic?"
Sam stood from his seat and sat on the edge. "She's the one who is pregnant."
Kitty raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"She's the one who is pregnant with my kids."
Kitty stared at him. "You want me to believe the woman you spent days pouting about is pregnant, and I am supposed to believe that you didn't sleep with her?" She laughed, standing from her chair. "Boy, you must take me for a fool."
"I didn't have sex with her Kitty; I swear to you that. I know all this is a mess, but I have never lied to you."
"So this is all just some coincidence?"
Sam nodded. "It is, and I know that you didn't expect this, neither did I., But she's pregnant, and I want to do right by her, by the kids. There are three of them."
Kitty sat back down and shook her head. "Well, I'm not… Sam, we agreed we wouldn't even think of kids till year five. Are you trying to take them? Are you just trying to be a dad? What are your thoughts?"
Sam ran his hands over his face. "I don't know, but I saw them, Kitty, I saw those babies, and I can't turn my back on her.'
"Her?" Kitty asked.
"Them! I meant them. I have to make sure they know they have a father."
Kitty looked at him. "Can I assume the woman you were texting is the mother?"
Sam nodded.
"You like her?" Kitty asked, already knowing he did.
"I do, but she is keeping me at arm's length."
"Why?"
Sam laughed. "Why? Because I made out with her and I have a girlfriend. Because she got pregnant by me, and we didn't even have sex. Because she is amazing, and I am me."
Kitty shook her head. "Oh my God, you want to be with her."
Sam let his head fall back. "No. I don't know. What we have works, doesn't it?"
"I mean, it does until it doesn't." Kitty said softly. "But you need to figure out what you want to do."
"What is there to figure out? You and I are a sure thing; we can have a content life together."
Kitty nodded. "We can; we are compatible and good-looking, and while we may not be in love, we definitely care for each other. But I need more time to figure out if I want this anymore. Kids are…"
"Huge, I know."
"Besides that, your feelings will only grow."
Sam nodded. "Of course it will; they are my kids."
"Not for them, for her."
Sam opened his mouth to speak but just sat back down in his chair.
Kitty sighed. "Tell me about her."
"What?"
"What is it about this woman that has you smiling and not freaking out at the fact you are about to be a father."
"First of all, I don't freak out." Sam said.
Kitty rolled her eyes. "Sam, we had a scare, and you legit tried to double up on the condoms. You made me get the IUD and stopped having sex with me for a month."
Sam ran his hand through his hair. "What's your point?"
"Well, you lost your damn mind. You wouldn't even go to the doctor with me. And now look at how you are acting?"
Sam shook his head. "I don't get what you are saying."
"You could be falling in love with this woman. It's clear as day."
Sam's eyes shot up to her. "What? What kind of… I don't. I just want to do right by her and those kids. That's it."
Kitty nodded. "Uh-huh."
Sam's phone beeped, and he grabbed it, smiling as Mercedes sent him a photo of her and Cody at the arcade.
"You do see that we are in the middle of talking, and she texts you, and you forget yourself."
Sam looked at her. "What? No, look, I am just making sure she's okay. That's all this is."
Kitty rolled her eyes as Sam went back to his phone.
SE: Is he kicking your butt?
MJ: Big time. I miss the days when I would win and rub it in his face.
SE: As a good mother would.
MJ: My family would like you and Kitty to join us at our family get-together this week.
SE: Are you sure?
MJ: I think it is time we face this head-on.
SE: Okay yeah. I can see if she can make it.
MJ: Good. Blaine and Sebastian are coming. And your friend Mike, Quinn, invited him.
"You know what I am going to go. I can't sit here and watch you flirt with another woman."
"No, wait. She was inviting us to her family's cookout. The guys from the firm are going, and she wanted us to be there."
Kitty shook her head. "Are you serious?"
"Look," Sam said, showing her the invite.
"Oh well, okay, I guess I can go if only to get a look at the woman you seem to be gaga for."
Sam sighed. "Kitty, fine, I like her. But that doesn't matter. She made it clear that there is nothing between us. Besides, we have our plan."
"A plan only works when both of us want the same thing. Contentment. But our plan has already been alternated by the fact you are having babies with another woman."
"Kitty I…I just need time to figure all this out. Can you give me that?"
"Sure. I'll give you that. But eventually, time is going to run out, and you are going to have to deal with this situation. And I say this… knowing it's ruining my life. We never wanted love, Sam. We saw what heartbreak could do and made the choice to take love out of our lives. If that changed, I would like to know sooner rather than later."
Sam nodded. "Trust me, if that has changed, I think we both would like to know."
"Mom, Dad, we are here." Mercedes said, putting Cody down and letting him run into the house.
Percy Sr. Smiled, bending down to pick him up. "Hey, champ! Did you have fun with your mom?"
"Yes! I won the racing!"
"You won? That's amazing, NASCAR. Here we come!"
Cody giggled as Mercedes kicked off her shoes. "Where is everyone?"
Percy sat in his recliner with Cody on his lap. "Your brothers are out with your mom shopping for the cookout. So that means you and I have time to talk about a few things."
Cody was already dozing off when Mercedes shook her head. "What's going on?"
"Well, I am just checking in. Make sure that you are okay; a lot is happening at a fast pace."
She sighed. "I'm fine."
"Okay, now that you've said what you would say to your mom, brothers, and friends, how about you tell me the truth." He stared at her for a moment before speaking again. "I know you haven't cashed your check yet."
Her eyes went to his. "I am going too."
"Yeah yeah, that's what you always say. But in the end, you always need a push. Change is hard for you, Merce. You don't like it, and it always takes a while to admit that things have changed."
"I think I handle it, fine."
"Baby girl, you kept the same hairstyle all your life; it wasn't until your friends ragged on you that you actually changed it."
"Excuse you, Father but braids were practical and durable. I wasn't in school to look good; I was there to get an education!" she smiled.
Percy laughed. "Baby girl, I am just saying you need to learn to just go with it."
"I know things are out of my control. Cody is living proof of that. And now I am pregnant with triplets."
"And the father?"
Mercedes looked over at him. "What exactly did Mom tell you?"
"Your mother didn't have to tell me anything. But she said that you liked him."
"He's not a bad guy; he's just someone who doesn't know what he wants, and I am someone who doesn't hve time to waste."
Percy nodded. "I see your brothers all happy and in love, and I see you unmarried and taking care of everyone but yourself, and I think…damn, we are good. Kept all the suitors away." He teased.
"Dad!" Mercedes laughed, shaking her head.
"No, but seriously. Be it the father or be it someone new, put yourself out there, Mercedes. Give yourself permission actually to live. You might like what happens when you do."
He stood with Cody in his arms. "I am gonna put him in the grandkid's room to sleep while you get some rest, then tomorrow you go to the bank and cash that check. Then you can come back cause we have a lot of party prep to do. And your mom is going bigger this year."
"Yeah, I figured when Quinn invited her entire office."
"And your baby daddy."
She nodded. "Yeah, and him."
Mercedes watched her dad walk away as she grabbed her bag and headed to the guest room, she knew what she had to do and she would do it...maybe.
Mercedes stood in line waiting to cash the check and be done with it; though she was in a seemingly good neighborhood, she still didn't like carrying such a large amount of money on her.
"Well, gotta say seeing you twice in one week means this is officially my lucky week." She heard.
Turning, she smiled to see Zack. "Well, what are you doing here?"
"Had to make the midweek deposits. What about you?"
She laughed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Naw? Try me; I have pretty much heard it all."
She raised an eyebrow looking around as she leaned in closer to him. "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you." She teased.
"Next!" The teller called out loud.
"That's me." Mercedes said, moving to the front. She had already signed the check as she handed it to the teller.
"Well damn, did you win the lottery?" She laughed, seeing the cashier's check.
"Not even close, but if you need to label it, call it a justice check."
The cashier nodded. "Well, get it, girl. Would you like any cash back?"
Mercedes shook her head. "No, just deposit it to the main account." Mercedes tapped her hand on the counter for a few moments, then smiled when she received her receipt. It did feel good to cash the check. She checked over her balance and froze when she saw a deposit of twenty thousand.
"Excuse me; I have an extra twenty thousand in my account."
She looked and nodded. "Yes, twenty thousand was deposited to your account yesterday."
"Yester- do you know where from?"
"It looks like it was from Evans Tech."
Mercedes nodded, stepping back as she sighed.
"Okay, um, thank you."
Pulling out her phone, she sent off a few texts; she needed to know what was going on.
MJ: Did you give Sam my bank information?
QF: He wanted to start making child support. I advised him not to, but Sam wanted to do it.
MJ: The man sent me twenty thousand dollars
QF: What?
MJ: Yeah, I finally cashed my check and realized there was an extra twenty thousand. What am I supposed to do with that?
QF: Say thank you? Shit, hell, if I know.
QF: He wants to step up; let him.
MJ: Yeah yeah, I will see you tomorrow.
QF: Love you
MJ: Yeah yeah
QF: LOVE YOU!
MJ: Love you too. Damn!
MJ: Twenty-Thousand Dollars!
SE: Oh, I see you checked the bank
MJ: That is so much.
MJ: You could have sent like a couple hundred.
SE: Well, I am filthy rich. Like I have a lot of money
MJ: I remember you are Bruce Wayne, rich
SE: Exactly
SE: I didn't want you to use your restoration money to take care of our kids. This way, you don't have to go back to work.
MJ: Wait, is this a monthly thing?
SE: OF course. Will you not be pregnant next month?
MJ: It's too much! We aren't worth you going broke.
SE: Mercedes, I am worth two Billion. I have stocks and bonds, and I can afford them. Let me help you. Quit your job, and take care of Cody and the trips.
MJ: Thank you, Sam.
SE: You are feeling okay today, though?
MJ: Yes. Morning sickness sucks, but I am handling it.
SE: Good.
SE: Can I bring anything tomorrow?
MJ: Just yourself and your girl
SE: Can I at least bring ice or drinks or pay for those things?
MJ: If you really want to bring something…I have been craving butterscotch tastykake Krimpets.
SE: I'm sorry, what?
MJ Krimpets, I can't make it downtown. They only have them at Walmart there. But if you want to bring something, can you get that?
SE: Walmart? Do you want me to go to Walmart?
MJ: You asked.
SE: I'll get them for you.
MJ: Thank you.
MJ: See you tomorrow Evans.
SE: See you tomorrow Mercedes.
She put her phone away with a sigh as Zach stood next to her. "I'm hungry; are you hungry? We should go get something to eat."
She turned towards him and smiled. "Are you asking me on a date?"
He shrugged. "You need to eat, right?"
She nodded. "I do."
"So let's go."
Mercedes walked out towards her car as he followed her. "Come on…give me one reason why you won't go out with me."
Mercedes heaved a sigh. "I'm pregnant."
He offered her a small smile. "Okay."
"Okay? Dude, I am pregnant with Triplets, and you say okay?"
"Do you have a man?" He questioned.
"No, I was inseminated because I wanted to be a mom."
Zack nodded. "Good, then, let's go."
Mercedes chewed her bottom lip as she nodded. "Fine, follow me to my parent's house so I can drop off my car."
"You sure you want them to see us together?"
"It's not a big deal, or rather; it's not something I am worried about."
Zack smiled as he followed her home, and thirty minutes later, they sat in Outback Steakhouse, looking at the menu.
"You can order whatever you want; this is on me." Zack said.
Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "Must be my lucky day."
He shook his head. "Naw, it's definitely my lucky day."
Mercedes blushed as a waiter walked over to them. "Hi, my name is Emery, and I am your waiter. Can I start you with something to drink? An appetizer?"
Zack looked at Mercedes. "What will you have?"
She looked at the menu and sighed. "Well, that three-cheese steak dip looks good."
He nodded, looking at the waiter. "We will have that, and I will take a sprite."
"Me too." Mercedes said with a smile.
As the waiter left, she looked over at him. "Okay, if we are going to do this, I need to know why you are still single?"
Zack laughed. "Right into the hard questions, huh? Well, I was in love with my ex. Renee and I thought we were going to make it work. But after we had Riley, we realized that things weren't going to work."
"Is that why you are here?"
Zach nodded. "She got a job here, and being away from my son was just too hard. So I moved back here. Thankfully I can do my job anywhere."
She nodded. "You really are a great dad. Your son is lucky to have you."
"Well, your son and your future children are lucky. Java, you told your brothers?"
The waiter placed the appetizer and drank down. "Ready to order?"
Zach nodded toward Mercedes, and she smiled. "I will have your porterhouse, medium well, with a side salad and a baked potato with everything."
"That actually sounds amazing. I will have the same."
The waiter took the menus, and Mercedes moved to grab a chip so she could taste the dip. "Ugh, this is amazing! You have to try it."
She lifted chips to him, and he leaned in, taking a bite. "Oh yeah, this is good."
Mercedes smiled, wiping food from his lip. "I told you."
Zack reached for her hand. "Mercedes, I know that this is not what you need, but if you have any room for me, I would love to try this."
Mercedes looked down at her plate. "My life is full of a lot of uncertainties right now. Can I have some time to think about it?"
Zack nodded. "As long as I get to kiss you at least once."
Mercedes blushed. "Play your cards right and maybe."
As their food came to the table, the two laughed and got to know each other all over again; as the night progressed, Zack was a gentleman, even getting out of the car and walking her to the door, handing her her takeout container.
"Can we do this again?"
Mercedes nodded. "You know you can come to the cookout. I know my parents would love to see you there."
"Do you want me there?"
Leaning in, Mercedes wrapped her arms around him and kissed him softly. Zack wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
Mercedes closed her eyes, willing his kiss to make her feel the way Sam's did. And while his kiss was great, it wasn't earth-shattering.
Pulling away, she smiled softly. "I will see you at the cookout."
Zack leaned in and kissed her softly. "See you at the cookout."
Mercedes grabbed her keys, letting herself inside as she watched him go to his car, a soft smile on her lips.
Shutting the door and sitting on the loveseat, Mercedes exhaled deeply as Amelia walked in, handing her a cup of tea. "So it took you four hours to cash that check?"
Mercedes glanced at her and shook her head. "How much do you know?"
"I know you were out with Zack, I saw him when you dropped your car off, and I know that now both your man and your baby daddy are coming to the cookout. I heard you making out, so I had the tea ready."
Mercedes ran her hands through her hair. "Zack is not my boyfriend, and Sam is bringing his girlfriend."
"Yeah…you say that, but you literally made out with both of them."
"Mom! How do you know that?!"
Amelia smirked. "I didn't know that until you just confirmed it."
Mercedes sighed heavily, moving the tea to the table, then she moved closer to her mom and laying on her lap. "This is ridiculous."
"What is?"
"Mom, I didn't want to be in this situation. I just wanted a baby. Give Cody a sibling."
Amelia laughed. "Baby, we often don't get what we think we need. Right now, you have two paths in front of you, and I am curious to see which one you end up taking."
Mercedes sighed. "Me too, Mom. Me too."