Ok so here is an update for you! And for your enjoyment, I am adding another sneak peek! To get all sneak peeks, make sure to read this chapter, the next, and CEO and Heiress! Enjoy, and stay blessed!

The Funeral May 6. 2023

Sam fixed his tie in the mirror before running his hands through his neatly styled short hair. His black Calvin Kline suit fit him like a glove, but why wouldn't it? Mercedes had it custom-made for him a few weeks before everything went down. The white dress shirt and purple tie completed the look.

He wore purple to honor Virginia; it was her favorite color.

Every step he took, every decision he made, was a testament to his unwavering devotion to Virginia. As he slipped into his shoes, he couldn't help but feel her presence guiding him. With a determined stride, he went down to meet his family, ready to face whatever was to come.

His family wore various versions of black as they headed to the Church. The quiet ride had Sam's mind reeling. Why did Mercedes call him? Would she acknowledge him at the funeral or pretend he meant nothing to her?

As they made it into the parking lot. Sam exited the car and stopped in his tracks as Mike and Quinn walked past him.

"Well, you are a face I didn't think I would see around here," Quinn said as Mike stayed silent. Quinn and Mike married a year after Sam and Mercedes.

"Hello Quinn, you are looking as beautiful as ever. Hi Mike."

"Evans," Mike said before linking his hand to hers. "Come on, honey, Merce is waiting inside the church."

Quinn gave Sam a concerned look before letting Mike lead her inside.

"Looks like he holds a grudge," Hunter said, coming up from behind him. "Hey Sam, long time no see."

Sam clapped hands with him and smiled. "Well, now that's putting it lightly. How you been, Hunter?"

Hunter offered him a small smile. "Good. I am surprised to see you, though. I didn't know you and Mercedes still spoke."

"We don't. But you know how good Virginia was to us, to me. I loved her like my own grandmother."

"True, and she made the best brownies, though your wife finally nailed it. The ones she made a few weeks back at Bailey's party."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Bailey?"

Hunter nodded. "Puck's daughter. She's a cutie; she just turned one." Checking his watch, Hunter sighed. I gotta find Seb, but find me after the service."

Sam's jaw tightened as he thought about Mereces baking brownies for her daughter. Damn Puck and her for taking that away from him.

As he followed his family into the Church, he froze, seeing Mercedes sitting up front with a little girl in her lap. The girl was wearing a purple dress and pigtails with two big bows.

Mercedes looked hauntingly beautiful in a purple wrap-around dress. Her red hair was in a low ponytail at the base of her neck, with spiral curls and two tendrils falling to the side of her face.

His family moved to the front, and he felt her tense and turn to lock eyes with him. She, like him, always knew when he was near.

As her eyes raked down his body, he scowled at her; how dare she check him out while holding her love child with his best friend.

He watched the light he brought to her fade, and she turned away from him.

"Way to go, bro. For a moment, I thought she was happy to see you, but that look on her face says otherwise," Stevie said, nudging him.

Sam took a seat, and everyone started to prepare. He exhaled, sitting back, but his heart sank even further when Puck came out of nowhere and picked up the little girl.

Sam watched as he patted Mercedes on the shoulder, and then he and another woman moved to sit behind them.

Sam should have felt happy that Puck seemed to play Mercedes like he did everyone, but it made him feel bad for her.

Shaking off the feeling, he decided to focus on the service. And everything was fine until Mercedes stood; she linked arms with a Latina and walked to the stage.

"Thank you all for coming. Before I do the Eulogy." She sniffed. "Santana and I will sing my Nana's favorite song."

Sam watched Mercedes's best friend Santana take a breath. "Nana Jones was a force to be reckoned with, just like her granddaughter." Sam watched the Latina squeeze Mercedes's hand. He knew how close the two were and how much they would miss Virginia.

"Mercedes was the first person I came out to. We were over at Nana Jones's house, and as I cried, the older woman told me that it was okay and that if my family didn't accept me, I had a home with her. So when I came out, and my family turned on me, Nana Jones let me move in with her, and my best friend moved right there with me. We will miss you." She said, wiping a tear.

Mercedes sniffed. "After San moved in, Nana and my parents agreed to let me move in with Nana so Santana wouldn't be alone. And that first night, she implemented movie night. The first movie we watched was Sister Act 2. And as she heard this song, heard Lauren Hill and Tanya Blount sing, she looked at us and said. Okay, go."

Everyone laughed. "So Nana, this is for you." Mercedes took a breath as she began to sing. 'His Eye Is on the Sparrow.'

"Why should I feel discouraged, and why should the shadows come. Why should my heart be lonely? And long for heaven and home."

Santana gripped her hand as she sang with her. "When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is he. His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know he watches me."

Sam watched in awe as the two harmonized perfectly, eyes closed as they poured their hearts into the song.

"I sing because I'm happy. And I sing, because I'm free, his eye is on the Sparrow, and I know he watches. And I know he watches, And I know he watches over me."

As the song ended everyone applauded while Sam wiped his stray tears. He watched as Santana walked away, and Mercedes took the podium.

"Virginia Grace Hillard-Jones, that's my Nana. She was strong, beautiful, and an inspiration. She." Her voice was stuck in her throat. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her thoughts, but Sam could see she was struggling.

He looked to Puck, who seemed more concerned with his current girl than Mercedes. His father cleared his throat and nudged Sam.

He didn't think Mercedes wanted him up there with her, but when she asked for a minute and saw that her father and mother were wrecks, he knew it was up to him.

Exhaling, he stood, walked to the podium, and took her hand in his. "It's okay, breathe, baby. Just breathe."

She nodded, inhaling and exhaling as he said. His thumb wiped the tears. "Are you ready?"

She nodded.

Sam turned to leave, but she pulled him close. Sam stood beside her, and Mercedes cleared her throat.

"She never met a person she didn't like and never had an enemy. Though she loved me and my brothers equally, we had such an amazing connection because I was the youngest."

Looking at Sam, she sighed and turned back to the congregation. "Someone reminded me last night that Nana wanted us to celebrate, not mourn, so that's what I am going to do. I will celebrate the life that was my Nana, and you should, too."

Everyone nodded as she walked off the podium, Sam still beside her. She sniffed as her father moved to the podium and she leaned into Sam.

He swallowed as their hands were still entwined. "You did wonderful."

Mercedes looked at him, her doe eyes filled with tears, and for a moment, it was just the two of them. He pulled her to him and hugged her close, feeling her wrap her arms around him.

He shouldn't be holding her or trying to make her feel better, but he couldn't help the need that grew within him. She was his person, and he was hers, and he couldn't help if that meant he wiped the sadness from her world.

After a few moments, they pulled away, and Sam wiped the new tears that fell. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, blinking back the tears. "Sam…thank you."

"I know how hard this is for you, I didn't mean to overstep, but Puck wasn't stepping up."

"Puck? Why would he step up?"

"Merce, mom is looking for you," Jacob, her second-oldest brother, said. She nodded, offering Sam a smile as she walked away.

Sam looked at Jacob and shook his head. "Don't even."

"You here to unbreak my sister's heart and take her back?"

Sam sighed. "Pretty sure she doesn't want that. She is the one who left."

"I still don't understand that; she hasn't had so much of a date since moving home; she just focused on her work. That woman works so much that I worry for her health."

"That can't be good for Bailey."

Jacob shrugged. "She sees her every month or so, but her baby is her business. Hey man, I gotta go."

Sam watched as Jacob walked towards his parents. He became increasingly confused. Although it was clear that Mercedes and Puck had a child, he never thought of Mercedes as someone who would give up her child.

As he walked, he realized he was in Puck's direct path. Turning, he stopped as someone grabbed his shoulder.

"Come on, Sam, eight years of friendship, and you just throw it away."

Sam growled at him. "I didn't throw anything away, you did. Excuse me."

"Sam! Man, you were my best friend."

"You know what, I don't want to talk about this. I moved on, but not helping Mercedes up there was a punk move."

"Me not helping her? As if that's my job because you dumped her?"

Sam stepped closer to him. "What did you say?"

Puck saw Mercedes and her family walking out of the Church. "You know what? Out of respect for the Jones' and Nana, I am going to walk away, but we are going to have this conversation, Sam, and you will listen."

Sam balled his fists as he watched Puck wrap his arms around the woman who held his and Mercedes's daughter and walked out.

Sam needed to leave this place and town quickly. As he walked out of the Church, his dad stopped him.

"Ah, Sam, I need your help."

"What's up, Dad?"

"Your grandma just called. She had to take your grandfather to the ER, and I needed to drive to Cleveland. Can you please sit in for me?"

"Can I sit in for you?" Sam had a bad feeling that he would not be able to make it home anytime soon.

"I have Virginia's will reading in an hour, but I won't make it back."

"Dad, I am not a part of your firm! Can't another associate do it?"

"I don't trust anyone else with this, and you are licensed to practice in Ohio, so.."

Sam sighed, feeling defeated. "Fine, I will do it. It's just a reading."

"Thank you. Come on, I will review the file while your mother packs up."

Sam glanced one last time at everyone as they prepared to go to the burial site. He walked with his father, taking in all the information he could. The sooner he helped her, the sooner he could leave and try to move on.

Damn, that was sad, but wait, not only do you now get a sneak peek, I am updating the next chapter!

HOMETOWN

Mercedes Jones walked towards the baggage claim, looking around for Sam Evans, her brother's best friend and someone she had known since she was nine; he and her brother were six. She always looked out for him, but after she graduated, she became a flight attendant and was around less and less, and her brother and Sam decided to Join the Air Force.

She hadn't seen Sam in at least five years, and when his cousin Quinn said she couldn't pick him up, she jumped at the chance.

"Do you see him yet?" Quinn asked through the phone. "Sam hasn't been home in three years! I can't wait to see him! Stupid wedding prep."

Mercedes laughed. "I am telling Miles you said that!"

"Don't you dare! Though this is all your brother's fault. Now I love him, you know I do, but if his ass thought I was making my wedding cake Captain America's shield next to black Panther's helmet, he is high."

"Did my suggestion work?"

"Yes, the baker finally agreed to give me the wedding cake of my dreams and to let Miles have his groom's cake. You really are a great maid of honor."

Mercedes glanced around the baggage claim. "You are lucky to have me."

"And lucky you moved back home! I am so glad you took that management job at the Airport instead of flying to God knows where,"

"Yeah, well, it was time."

"So there are only two weeks until the wedding. Are you still bringing a plus one?"

Mercedes sighed. "I never said I was bringing one in the first place, but nice try. I told you my job made it hard to date. I doubt I will find one before the wedding, it's fine…and speaking of fine…Quinn, I just spotted the sexiest man…Oh, good Lord."

"How sexy are we talking?"

Mercedes stared at the man, grabbing his bag. "Definitely could be a Hemsworth. Short sandy blonde hair, biceps to die for in a tight henley teeshirt, and, ugh, his jeans…you could bounce a quarter off that ass. Captain America was wrong."

What does that mean?"

"Because I am staring at America's ass right now." She said, watching him bend down.

"Girl, stop drooling and go get that man's number!"

"Shit, he's looking over here. Thank God I wore these hip huggers; they make my ass look amazing."

"And you just got your hair done too. Girl, get you a date to my wedding."

"Tesoro?" The man said, coming up to her.

Mercedes froze as he repeated the name. "Excuse me, what?" She must have misheard him. No one called her Treasure but Sam.

"Tesoro, it is you!" He said, pulling her into a hug. "I thought Quinn was picking me up, but this is a pleasant surprise!"

"Sam?"

"Mercedes, what's happening?" Quinn yelled into the phone, forgotten in Mercedes's hand.

Sam picked her up, swinging her around. "Let me look at you! Wow, you look amazing!" He said with a smile as he placed Mercedes down; he couldn't believe his eyes or luck when he noticed her. He'd recognize those lips and her ass anywhere.

"Me? Wow, I barely recognize you!" And she didn't. Gone was the bleach blonde hair, lanky arms, and clean-shaven baby face boy. She was faced with a man who was all kinds of sexy. She had to compose herself. "Sam, wow, you look incredible! I can't believe it's been five years since I have seen you…and you have facial hair!"

"That's what happens when you hit puberty, Mercedes. Didn't they teach you that in school?"

"Then Mrs. Hinders has been hitting puberty for years." Mercedes teased, trying to shake off the embarrassment of calling Sam sexy. At least he didn't hear her.

Sam laughed, looking at her again. "Wow. How crazy is it that Quinn and Miles are getting married?"

"Crazy! I warned her what she was getting, but she loves the man."

Sam laughed. "True. I lived with him; I know things." He shifted his bag in his arms.

"Let's get you home; Quinn has everything set up as wedding central. I have already scheduled your fitting and bought a book to help you with your best man speech."

Sam smiled. "Same ole Tereso, always running the show."

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip, willing herself to stop thinking dirty thoughts about the man before her. They used to play doctor together, so this was nothing, Except as they walked out of the Airport and he placed his hand against her lower back, all she could think of was the things he could do with those hands.

Sam glanced at her as she led them to her car. Mercedes Jones was his fantasy woman, the first woman he had ever wanted. And it was all because of a pair of daisy dukes and a halter top. But as hot as Sam found her, the older woman only saw him as her brother's friend.

He had a chance at 18 to tell her how he felt, and as they were caught under the mistletoe, he kissed her, nipping at her lips and calling her his Teroso, meaning Treasure, telling her how beautiful she was. She looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time, but as quickly as the moment came, it left when a last-minute flight to London came in, and Mercedes was off to jet set around the world as a flight attendant.

Sam always regretted not telling her he enlisted; he and Miles were gone when she returned from her flight.

"So, how was your flight?" Mercedes asked.

Sam was so stuck in his thoughts that he hadn't realized they were already in the car and on the way to see his family."

"Oh, it was good. Not that bad." Sam looked at her. "So where are we going?"

"Well, we are going to your parent's home first cause your mom will kill us both if she isn't your first stop."

Sam nodded. "You know my mom well."

"Since moving back home, your mom convinced me and Quinn to join her book club."

Sam laughed. "She has a book club? Tell me the truth; all you'll do is drink wine and complain?"

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Not happening. You are not gonna get me to disclose sacred book club rituals to you!"

"Okay, fine! I'll get Stacey to tell me."

Mercedes scoffed. "My little sister will never squeal."

"Excuse you, Stacey is my actual sister."

"Not anymore; she and Stevie have decided that I am their only older sibling; you have been replaced." She teased.

Sam shook his head. "Rude, that's what you are, Tesoro."

Mercedes looked over at him and smiled before taking a breath and looking back to the road.

Sam smiled before looking back at her. "So, am I staying with my parents?"

Mercedes shook her head. "No, your parents are remodeling and only have room for the twins and their guests. You will be staying with Miles until the wedding, and then you can stay in Quinn's old room until you leave."

"I'm staying with you?" He asked, surprised.

"Is that a problem? You can stay with your parents, and I am sure Stacey can switch with you."

Sam smiled. "No, I am good with staying with you. Are you due to fly out soon?"

Mercedes pulled off the highway. "I am not a flight attendant anymore. I took that job at twenty-one and have flown literally worldwide for fourteen years."

"Wow, so what are you doing now?"

"I took a managerial job at the airline, where I got to train flight attendants and make a lot more money. That's how I was able to buy the house Q and I lived in."

Sam smiled. "Well, look at you, doing big things. I am proud of you,"

"Proud of me? You and Miles are the ones who joined the Military and got your degrees. You guys are literal heroes." Mercedes said, pulling into his mom's driveway.

"Yeah…"