A/N: In the words of Boys II Men, "Although we come to the end of the road, still I can't let go."! This story has taken so long that it's so weird that I'm actually done with it. The other day, I went back and read all of the reviews from 2011 to now, and it really reminded me why I wrote this story. Thank you for being there through this journey even though it was a long and disjointed one, but it's something I am proud of. Enjoy!

Chapter 15: Epilogue

The streets of New York buzzed with life, as they always did, but for Sam and Mercedes, the city had never felt more like home. It was a brisk autumn morning, the kind where the chill in the air mixed with the warmth of the sun, creating a perfect balance. The rhythm of the city matched the beat of their hearts, filled with excitement and the anticipation of what was to come.

Mercedes stood in the middle of their cozy apartment in Brooklyn, her eyes sweeping over the framed photographs that lined the walls. Pictures of the Goldtones, memories from high school, candid shots of summer days spent in Central Park, and most importantly, snapshots of the life she and Sam had built together. After Richter, they had moved in with Kurt and Blaine six months ago, and while the apartment was a little crowded, it was filled with laughter, love, and the unmistakable comfort of being surrounded by people who cared. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of pancakes Blaine had whipped up earlier that morning. The space, though small, was alive with the echoes of shared dreams and the warmth of their makeshift family.

Mercedes had spent the last two years pouring her heart and soul into her music. After that fateful night on the rooftop, she knew she couldn't keep her voice hidden anymore. With Sam's constant encouragement and the support of their friends, she started writing songs—first for herself, then for other artists. Word spread quickly in the industry, and soon, Mercedes was being sought after as a songwriter, her lyrics resonating with audiences far and wide. Her name had started to carry weight in the music scene, and every time she heard one of her songs on the radio, it was a reminder of how far she had come. Yet, no matter how much success she found, there was a part of her that still felt incomplete, a piece of her heart that longed to share her own voice with the world.

But no matter how many songs she wrote for others, she knew there was still a part of her that longed to sing her own words, to stand on stage and share her voice with the world. The thought both excited and terrified her, but Sam was always there, reminding her of her talent, pushing her to take that leap of faith. He had become her rock, the one who saw her potential even when she doubted herself. Every day, he encouraged her to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight where she belonged. And as the days turned into weeks and then into months, the desire to perform again grew stronger, becoming a fire she could no longer ignore.

"Hey, you ready?" Sam's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. He walked into the living room, dressed in his university team's hoodie, looking every bit the confident, driven assistant offensive coach he had become. A university in New York had offered him the position last year, and Sam had jumped at the opportunity. Football had always been his passion, and now he was passing on that love to a new generation of players. His face was lit with the easy smile that had first caught her attention years ago in high school and again in college, the same smile that now filled her with warmth and a sense of belonging. Seeing him there, in their home, reminded her of how far they had come—individually and together.

"Yeah, just thinking about how far we've come," Mercedes said, her voice soft with reflection.

Sam raised an eyebrow playfully. "Good thoughts, I hope?"

Mercedes chuckled, nodding. "The best. Can you believe we're actually here, in New York, living our dream?"

Sam grinned, a hint of pride in his eyes. "It's kind of surreal, isn't it? I mean, who would've thought back in high school that we'd end up here, in the Big Apple, doing what we love?"

"Not me," Mercedes admitted with a laugh. "Back then, I thought I'd end up in LA or something. But now, I can't imagine being anywhere else."

"Well, New York has a way of growing on you," Sam said, squeezing her hand gently. "Especially when you're surrounded by good people."

Mercedes smiled, leaning into his touch. "Yeah, and I'm lucky to have the best right here with me."

Sam walked over, slipping his arms around her waist. "We've come a long way, haven't we?" He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his voice warm with affection. "And we've got so much more ahead of us." His touch was gentle but steady, grounding her in the moment. She could feel the strength of his belief in her, in them, and it made her believe even more in the future they were building together. The way he held her, the tenderness in his eyes, made her feel like anything was possible as long as they were together.

Mercedes leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "I've been thinking about that a lot lately. I know I've been writing songs for other people, but I think I'm ready to take that next step."

Sam pulled back slightly, looking down at her with a grin. "You mean…?"

Mercedes nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "I want to sing my own songs, Sam. I want to share my voice with the world, not just my words." She could see the pride in his eyes, the way his smile widened at her confession. It was a big step, one that she had been hesitant to take, but with Sam by her side, she knew it was the right one. She felt a sense of clarity, a sureness that this was what she was meant to do. The fear that had once held her back was now overshadowed by a growing excitement, a readiness to embrace the path that lay ahead.

Sam's grin widened. "That's amazing, Cedes. I've been waiting for you to say that. You're going to be incredible."

She laughed softly, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. "I hope so. It's a big step, but it feels like the right one." The nervous energy in her stomach was tempered by the thrill of knowing she was finally pursuing her dream. She could already picture herself on stage, the spotlight on her, the audience hanging on to every word. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating, but she knew she was ready. This was her time, and she was determined to make the most of it.

Sam held her close, his voice filled with confidence. "It is the right one. And you know I'll be there every step of the way, cheering you on."

Mercedes smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for the man who had always believed in her, even when she doubted herself. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd still be amazing," Sam said with a wink. "But I'm glad I get to be here to witness it."

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of Kurt's voice calling from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready! Get in here before Blaine eats all the pancakes!"

Sam and Mercedes exchanged a chuckle before heading toward the kitchen. Kurt and Blaine were bustling around, setting the table and serving up plates of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. The apartment was filled with the delicious smell of breakfast, and the warmth of their little family. The kitchen was a flurry of activity, with Kurt meticulously arranging the table settings while Blaine flipped pancakes with a theatrical flair. It was a scene that had become part of their daily routine, one that Mercedes cherished deeply. In a city as vast and bustling as New York, this little apartment had become their sanctuary, a place where they could be themselves, surrounded by love and laughter.

"Perfect timing," Blaine said with a grin as he placed a plate of pancakes in front of Mercedes. "We were just talking about your big news."

Mercedes looked at him in surprise. "My big news?"

Kurt nodded enthusiastically. "Blaine heard from his contacts in the music industry. Word is, you're planning on performing some of your own songs soon."

Mercedes blushed slightly, glancing at Sam, who just smiled and gave her a reassuring nod. "I've been thinking about it, yeah. It's time to stop hiding behind my songs and start sharing my voice."

Kurt beamed, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "That's amazing, Mercedes. You've got so much talent, and the world deserves to hear it."

Blaine nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. And you know we'll be front row at every performance." Their enthusiasm was infectious, and Mercedes felt her earlier nerves start to dissipate, replaced by a growing excitement. The support of her friends, combined with Sam's unwavering belief in her, made her feel invincible. She could do this. She would do this.

As they sat down to eat, the conversation shifted to Sam's latest venture. Though he was thriving in his role as an assistant offensive coach, Sam hadn't given up on his other passion—writing. Ever since college, he had been working on a science fiction manuscript, one that had seen many iterations over the years. What had started as a hobby had grown into something more serious, especially after he met Dr. Goldey, a professor at the university with connections in the literary world. Sam's eyes lit up as he talked about the story, his passion for the characters and the world he had created evident in every word. It was clear that this project meant a lot to him, and Mercedes couldn't have been prouder.

"She really believes in your work, Sam," Mercedes said, her voice full of pride. "I can't believe it's going to be published soon!"

Sam's face lit up with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. "I know, right? I still can't wrap my head around it. If it weren't for Dr. Goldey pushing me to publish the story and then introducing me to her agent, I don't know if it ever would have happened."

Kurt chimed in, grinning. "A sci-fi novel by day, coaching by night? You're like some kind of multi-talented superhero, Sam."

Blaine chuckled. "I've been reading some of the early chapters, and let me tell you, it's going to be a hit. I can already see it on the New York Times bestseller list."

Sam laughed, shaking his head. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm just thrilled that it's actually happening. It's been a dream of mine for so long." His modesty was one of the things Mercedes loved most about him. Despite his talent and the recognition, he was starting to receive, Sam remained grounded, focused on the work rather than the accolades. But she had no doubt that he would succeed, and she was excited to be there to witness it all.

Mercedes looked at him, her heart swelling with admiration. "And now it's becoming a reality. I'm so proud of you, Sam."

Sam reached over and took her hand, their fingers intertwining. "We're both chasing our dreams, Cedes. I couldn't ask for anything more."

After breakfast, the group lingered at the table, sharing stories and making plans for the future. The apartment was filled with the sound of laughter, the kind that comes from being surrounded by people who truly understand you. It was a home in every sense of the word. The day stretched out before them, filled with possibilities and the comforting rhythm of their routine. As they cleaned up the dishes and prepared to head out into the city, Mercedes felt a sense of contentment settle over her. This was the life they had built together, and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Later that day, as the sun began to set, Mercedes found herself sitting at her keyboard, the early notes of a new song filling the room. The words came to her effortlessly, inspired by the journey she and Sam had taken together—their struggles, their triumphs, and the love that had carried them through it all. The melody was soft, yet powerful, each note a reflection of the emotions that had brought them to this point. As she played, the music seemed to take on a life of its own, filling the room with a warmth that mirrored the feelings in her heart.

Sam was sitting nearby, a notebook in his hand as he jotted down ideas for his next chapter of a new book. Every so often, he would glance up at Mercedes, a soft smile playing on his lips as he listened to her music. There was a peacefulness in the air, a quiet understanding between them that didn't need words. They were two creatives, each lost in their own world, yet perfectly in sync with one another.

As the melody grew, Mercedes looked over at Sam, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared understanding. This was their life now—a life of creativity, of passion, of endless possibilities. They were each other's biggest supporters, their greatest loves, and together, they were unstoppable. The bond they shared was unbreakable, forged in the fires of their past and strengthened by the dreams they were now chasing together.

The city outside their window buzzed with the promise of new adventures, and they were ready to embrace every single one of them. For Mercedes, the stage awaited. For Sam, the world of fiction was calling. And for both of them, New York was the perfect backdrop to the stories they were writing—both in their careers and in their lives together. The future was bright, and they knew that whatever came next, they would face it together, hand in hand.

As they settled into the evening, Sam set his notebook aside and moved to sit beside Mercedes at the keyboard. She smiled at him, and he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder as she played. The music filled the room, wrapping them in a cocoon of warmth and love. They were living their dreams, and they were doing it together.

This was just the beginning, and they both knew it. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, side by side, just as they always had. The night wasn't just another memory to be added to their past; it was the start of something new, a future filled with endless possibilities. And this time, they were ready to embrace it—together.