I know Kesh and I have been on a role with our Christmas series. If you guys haven't read 25 Days Of Christmas by us on here, you are missing out! We have Three Stories together, and we each have four stories on our own! And as we promised, we post every day!
That being said. I haven't forgotten about you and our stories! So here is an update for you, and yes, I may have two more coming! Enjoy!
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains of Mercedes' guest room, casting a warm glow over the bed where Sam lay sprawled on his back.
It had been six months since he'd left New York, and while the transition wasn't easy, he'd made a conscious effort to respect Mercedes' boundaries.
At first, their interactions revolved solely around the twins. Since Mercedes was only in Chicago for a few weeks, she allowed Sam to stay in her guest room. Which meant he got to spend a lot of time with Jamie and Anna.
It also meant that he and Mercedes were carefully trying to navigate the fragile co-parenting relationship they were rebuilding.
Once they returned to Ohio, he moved in with his parents, and over time, as trust began to grow, Mercedes invited him to be a bigger part of the girls' lives.
The last four months had brought even more change. Sam started working with his dad at the firm and spent almost every day with the twins, forging a bond that filled the gaping hole in his life.
Then, three weeks ago, Jamie called him daddy, and he felt like he had finally done something right.
Sam groaned. Last night, Mercedes had gone out with Zara, Santana, Quinn, and Stacey for a much-needed girls' night, and Sam had offered to stay with Jamie and Anna. Puck had called, asking if Bailey could sleep over so he could enjoy his "very intoxicated wife," and Sam had agreed, knowing Bailey loved spending time with her cousins.
After a night of bedtime stories and wrangling three energetic little girls into pajamas, Sam had fallen asleep on the bed, utterly exhausted.
That was, until this morning.
A small, determined voice broke through his dreams. "Dr. Jamie, I think his heart is still beating!"
Sam frowned in his sleep as another voice chimed in, high-pitched and full of mischief. "That's not good. We need to stick the needle in his chest to fix it!"
He opened his eyes groggily, his vision clearing to reveal Jamie leaning over him with a toy stethoscope pressed to his chest, her face scrunched in intense concentration.
Anna stood beside her, holding up a bright yellow plastic syringe with a wicked grin. Their older cousin Bailey, standing at the foot of the bed, giggled behind her hand.
"What are you…?" Sam started to say, only to freeze as Anna gave a dramatic little cackle.
"He's waking up!" Bailey squealed.
"We're doctors!" Jamie declared proudly. "And we're fixing you, Daddy!"
Anna held up the syringe. "Time for the shot!"
Sam's eyes widened, and he played along, feigning terror. "Wait a second, Dr. Anna! Are you sure about this?!"
"Too late!" Anna exclaimed, gleefully poking the syringe into his chest with a giggle.
Before Sam could retaliate, a new voice called from the doorway.
"Girls, what are you doing?"
Mercedes stood in the doorway, her hair pulled back in a messy bun and a dishtowel slung over her shoulder. She looked equal parts amused and exasperated as she watched the chaos unfold.
Jamie beamed at her mother. "We're doctors, Mommy! We're fixing Daddy because he's a zombie!"
Mercedes crossed her arms, trying to suppress a smile. "Is that so? Well, he looks fine to me. Let him sleep."
"Noooo!" Anna protested, clutching her syringe tightly. "If we don't fix him, he's gonna eat us!"
Sam groaned theatrically, throwing an arm over his face. "Too late! Zombie Dad is awake!"
The girls erupted into squeals of laughter as Sam bolted upright, his movements slow and jerky. "Brains…brains…" he moaned, reaching for Bailey, who shrieked and darted behind Mercedes.
"Mommy, save us!" Bailey cried, peeking out from behind her aunt's legs.
Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "Mommy has to check on the bacon."
"No worries," Sam said, breaking character with a grin. "Zombie Dad to the rescue."
He lunged forward again, growling dramatically, and the girls scattered, their giggles echoing down the hall as they ran for safety.
Mercedes leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene with a fond smile.
Sam turned back to her, his expression softening. "What's that look?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, just nice to have you around here."
Sam beamed, "Well, you are lucky. Now you get me and Zombie Dad. Double the fun."
"You're ridiculous," she said, shaking her head.
"And you love it," he shot back before jogging down the hall after the girls, their laughter filling the house.
Mercedes stood there for a moment, her smile lingering as she listened to the sounds of her family.
Sam finally caught Jamie and Bailey hiding behind the couch in the living room, their giggles giving away their spot long before he reached them. Scooping Jamie up in one arm and Bailey in the other, he spun them in a circle.
"Gotcha!" he declared, making exaggerated chomping noises as they shrieked with laughter.
"Help! Zombie Dad got us!" Jamie wailed, though her grin stretched ear to ear.
Anna appeared from behind the sofa, wielding the toy syringe like a sword. "Drop them, Zombie, or else!"
Sam raised an eyebrow, feigning fear. "Dr. Anna, are you trying to defeat me?"
"Yes!" she shouted, running toward him screaming.
Mercedes leaned against the island as she watched the chaos unfold. "Anna, don't stab your father," she called, unable to hide her laughter.
Anna stopped mid-charge and looked back at her mother, pouting. "But he's a zombie!"
Sam set Jamie and Bailey down, pretending to dust himself off. "Okay, okay. Zombie Dad surrenders. No needles today, Doctor." He knelt, pulling all three girls into a big hug. "Now go wash up. I think breakfast is ready!"
The girls scampered off, their giggles trailing down the hall as they headed for the bathroom.
Sam stood and turned toward Mercedes, leaning casually against the couch. "So, how was your night? Did Zara and Santana behave, or did I miss a wild story?"
Mercedes smirked, tossing the dishtowel onto her shoulder as she plated the pancakes. "Let's just say it's good I only go out with them once every few months. But yeah, it was fun. Thanks for staying with the girls—and Bailey. You didn't have to do that."
"Are you kidding?" Sam said, walking over to her. "I'll take this over a night out any day."
Mercedes gave him a skeptical look, one eyebrow raised. "You say that now, but I saw the panic in your eyes when Jamie suggested stabbing you with a needle."
Sam laughed. "Okay, I'll admit, they're a handful. But I'm not complaining. I mean it, Mercedes. I love this—being with them. You know I have always wanted to be a dad."
Her teasing expression softened as she met his gaze. "You've been good with them, Sam. Better than I expected, honestly."
"Better than you expected? Ouch."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Don't start. You know what I mean. I wasn't sure how this whole co-parenting thing was going to work out, but…" She trailed off, glancing toward the sound of the girls' laughter down the hall.
"But?" Sam prompted, stepping closer.
Mercedes hesitated, then shrugged. "But you've surprised me. You've stepped up in ways I didn't think you would."
Sam's smile turned warm and genuine. "They're my daughters. I'd do anything for them. For you, too, if you'd let me."
Mercedes' lips parted, but before she could respond, Jamie ran back into the room with Bailey and Anna close behind.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Jamie cried. "We're ready for pancakes!"
Saved by the chaos, Mercedes turned to the girls, her expression brightening. "Well, let's go eat then. Who's hungry?"
"Me!" the girls chorused, racing toward the kitchen.
Sam lingered a moment, watching Mercedes follow them with the graceful ease that naturally came to her. His heart swelled as he thought about how far they'd come and how much further he wanted to go—not just as their father but as the man who loved their mother.
But Sam was patient; he would wait for her, and she deserved that.
"Zombie Dad better hurry up," Mercedes called over her shoulder, breaking him from his thoughts.
With a grin, Sam jogged after her. "Coming, Dr. Jones!"
The living room was calm now, a stark contrast to the chaos of earlier. Jamie, Anna, and Bailey were curled up on the couch, completely absorbed in Frozen 2.
Jamie sang along with every word of "Into the Unknown," holding her toy stethoscope like a microphone while Anna and Bailey clutched their favorite stuffed animals.
Sam sat on the floor nearby, leaning against the armrest of the couch. He glanced toward Mercedes, who was settled in the armchair with a cup of tea. She looked relaxed, though a small smile tugged at her lips as she watched their daughters sing with Elsa and Anna.
"I think Jamie's ready for Broadway," Sam whispered, nudging her foot gently with his own.
Mercedes chuckled softly. "She loves music so much."
Sam laughed. "I can tell. It's a beautiful thing."
"She did," Mercedes admitted, setting her cup down on the side table. She turned to look at him, her expression softening. "They really love you, you know."
Sam's teasing grin faded, replaced with something deeper. "I love them, too. More than anything." He glanced back at the girls, his voice quiet but full of emotion. "I missed so much, Mercedes. Their first steps, their first words… I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for not being there."
Mercedes' heart ached at the guilt in his voice. She leaned forward, resting her hand on his arm. "Sam, you're here now. That's what matters. The girls don't think about what you missed; they only see the dad who's here, who loves them."
Sam looked at her, his green eyes searching hers. "And what about you? Do you… forgive me?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Mercedes opened her mouth to respond, but Bailey let out a loud cheer as Olaf appeared on the screen, breaking the tension.
"Olaf's the best!" Bailey exclaimed, and Anna and Jamie quickly joined in with their agreement.
Mercedes chuckled softly, glancing back at Sam. "You're forgiven," she said, her voice low so only he could hear. Even if it took you a little too long to figure things out, you are here. We may never be the same, but you will always be their father."
Sam smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting in that way that used to drive her crazy. "I'm still figuring things out. But for what it's worth, I'm really glad you let me be here. Let me be their dad."
"Me too," she said, letting herself mean it for the first time in a long time.
Jamie suddenly climbed down from the couch and crawled into Sam's lap, snuggling against his chest. "Daddy, can we have popcorn?"
Sam wrapped his arms around her, his heart swelling at the word as always. "Of course, kiddo. Anything for you."
Mercedes watched the scene unfold, a warmth spreading through her chest. Maybe, just maybe, they could figure out how to do this—together.
Mercedes leaned back in her chair, a glass of wine in her hand, as she tried to relax. Across the table, Quinn and Santana were both sipping their drinks, expressions varying degrees of curiosity and smugness.
The three of them were gathered at the kitchen table, enjoying a rare moment of peace while the kids played in the living room under Sam's watchful eye.
Quinn sighed, setting her glass down with a small clink. "I have to head back to LA tomorrow. Mike's already texting me about schedules and meetings. This is our life now, never-ending chaos." She glanced at Mercedes with a teasing smile. "Speaking of chaos… what's going on with you and Sam?"
Santana perked up instantly, her eyes narrowing in interest. "Yes, let's talk about Sam," she said, leaning forward with a wicked grin. "I've been dying to ask all day, but I wanted to wait until the wine was poured."
Mercedes rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her drink before answering. "Nothing is going on with me and Sam."
"Nothing?" Santana raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Not even a little bump and grind?"
"Absolutely not," Mercedes said firmly, though she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. "We don't have that kind of relationship. We're just parents, co-parenting. That's it."
Quinn tilted her head, her gaze softening. "Is that all you want it to be?"
Mercedes hesitated, her fingers tightening around the stem of her glass. "Sam is a great dad," she said after a moment, choosing her words carefully. "He's stepped up in ways I didn't think he would. But… I can't trust him. Not with my heart. Not anymore."
Santana leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Let me get this straight. You're still attracted to him; don't even try to lie because I see that look on your face. But you're holding back because of what happened years ago?"
Mercedes set her glass down and sighed. "It's not that simple, Santana. I loved him—completely. And then he threw that love back in my face because of a lie. He didn't even give me the benefit of the doubt. Do you know how humiliating it was to be accused of cheating? Of all people, with Puck?"
Quinn winced. "That must have been awful. But do you think he knows how much he hurt you? Have you ever told him?"
Mercedes shook her head. "It doesn't matter. What's done is done. I'm not the same girl I was back then, and I can't afford to let my guard down just because we're in this… situation together."
Santana snorted. "Girl, you are stubborn as hell. Look, I'm not saying you should run into his arms and ride off into the sunset, but maybe give the guy a chance to earn your trust back."
Mercedes's jaw dropped. "Seriously? This coming from you?"
Santana sighed. "Look, when you called and told me what happened, I hated him along with you. Yes, he was an idiot for allowing that witch to hurt you and end your marriage. But he gave up everything the moment he learned he had a kid with you. He's been here, right here, despite knowing he has no chance with you. And coming, he clearly cares about you—and not just as the mother of his kids."
Quinn nodded in agreement. "Santana's right. If you're still holding onto those feelings—good or bad—you owe it to yourself to address them. Otherwise, you're just going to keep carrying that weight."
Mercedes frowned, swirling the wine in her glass. "It's not that easy. What if he screws up again? What if I let him in, and it's the same story all over again?"
Santana reached across the table and grabbed Mercedes' hand. "Then you'll deal with it. Because you're Mercedes Jones—queen of bounce-backs and clap-backs, but don't let fear stop you from living your life. Especially when it's clear you've still got unfinished business with that man."
Mercedes sighed, her resolve wavering as their words sank in. Before she could respond, Quinn's phone buzzed on the table.
Quinn glanced at the screen and groaned. "Mike. Again. Apparently, he can't handle packing without me supervising." She stood, grabbing her glass for a final sip. "Think about it, Mercedes. Don't let your past stop you from having the future you deserve."
Mercedes hugged Quinn tightly before she watched as she left the room, her words lingering in the air.
Santana smirked, leaning back in her chair. "You know she's right, right?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "You're both annoying."
"True." Santana grinned. "But we're also your friends. And as your friend, I'm telling you—don't sleep on Sam. Because that man is looking at you like he wants to spend the rest of his life making things right, and if you let him, he will."
Mercedes didn't respond, but deep down, she knew Santana had a point. The question was whether she was ready to take that leap again.