This is a long chapter, I just couldn't break it up, so enjoy!
Mercedes and Sam sat across from Shelby Corcoran in the sleek conference room of her label's headquarters. They both wore black as if they were going to a funeral. Sam was in a pair of black jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather Jacket that Kurt designed. It matched the one she wore, and she told Sam he had to have it.
Mercedes added a black spaghetti-strapped dress that fell right above her knees and a pair of high-top black sneakers. Her hair hung in a low ponytail, and her makeup was subtle.
Looking at Sam, she smiled as someone cleared their throat.
Mercedes glanced at Shelby, who was polished as always. She clasped her hands together and beamed at the pair.
"Can I just say that this is wonderful," she said, her voice bright. "The two of you are going to be the hottest couple. The public are already salivating for Samcedes."
Sam frowned. "Whats Samcedes?"
Mercedes sighed, "It's this ship name my fans have named us. Honest, it could be worse."
Sam glanced at Mercedes, who gave him an apologetic smile. He turned back to Shelby. "What exactly are you expecting from us?"
"Oh, nothing too invasive," Shelby assured him. "A few appearances here and there. A couple of interviews. And, of course, a photoshoot or a few. We want to do a wedding spread with the two of you. People magazine has already asked for the story, and Vera wants to do your dress, Mercedes. Sam, Brioni wants to dress you."
Sam frowned. "Why does he want to dress me?"
"Because you are attached to our superstar, of course." Shelby waved a hand as though it was obvious. "Sam, we are selling a story—your story! Your marriage is news now, Sam. And we're not just selling music—an image."
At the end of the table, one of the producers, Will, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. He had been quiet until now, but his gaze was sharp as it darted between Mercedes and Sam. "This is a sham."
The words hung in the air, making Mercedes stiffen.
Will smirked. "It's obvious. This marriage is nothing but a publicity stunt, and baby, if you wanted that, we could have found you someone far better."
"Gag me." Mercedes spat as she leaned toward Sam, her voice low and cutting. "Will has always had a thing for me," she murmured. "And I don't like him…like at all."
Sam nodded, his jaw tightening as he glanced at Will. He felt a sudden, fierce need to protect her.
Will ignored them, focusing on Sam instead. "So, what is it you do, exactly?"
"I own my own construction company," Sam replied evenly.
Will scoffed. "Mercedes deserves better. She's talented, smart, beautiful—she's got the whole world at her feet. And you're…what? Some guy with a hammer? You shouldn't be with her."
Mercedes slammed her hand on the table, the sound reverberating through the room. She stood abruptly, her eyes blazing. "Stuff it, Will."
The room went silent. Shelby raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained.
Mercedes continued, her voice steady and filled with conviction. "I couldn't have asked for better. Sam is hard-working, caring, and gorgeous. He's everything I need, so lay off of my husband."
Will looked stunned, and for once, he had nothing to say.
Shelby clapped her hands lightly. "That's what I wanted to see."
Mercedes whipped around to face her, still fuming. "What?"
Shelby smiled. "That spark. That energy. It's exactly what's going to make this work." She leaned back in her chair. "Before you go, there's one more thing. We're going to do a documentary."
Mercedes blinked. "A documentary? About what?"
"Well, originally, we were planning to pitch the idea to you about doing it while you were filming a movie, but this is even better," Shelby chirped. "The cameras will follow you two a few times a week to capture your life as newlyweds. It'll be a behind-the-scenes look at your career, Sam's work, and relationship."
Mercedes stared at Shelby, her jaw slightly open. "You can't be serious."
Shelby just smiled.
Mercedes turned to Sam, searching his face for some reaction. Sam, ever calm, reached for her hand.
"As long as they respect our space and time," he said, his voice steady, "it's fine."
Mercedes sighed, squeezing his hand. "Fine. But they're not coming to my place unannounced."
Shelby grinned, clearly pleased. "Perfect. We'll start planning right away." She motioned for someone outside the door, and a man walked in with two women. Mercedes, this is Artie Abrams, your director; Tina Cohen-Chang, his assistant; and Holly Holiday, one of the show's producers."
"It's a Pleasure to meet you both," Holly smiled. We want the world to see the inner workings of your lives." She nodded towards Tina, who handed them a contract. "Just sign these, and we can get started."
Sam takes the pen, but Mercedes stops him as she looks over this contract. "No."
Holly tilted her head to the side. "No?"
"That's what I said. You think I am stupid enough to sign this and not read it. It says we get three hundred thousand for the documentary. Is that Per episode or for the whole thing?"
"The whole thing, of course," Holly said, waving her off.
Sam's eyes widened, and Mercedes laughed. "And it doesn't specify whether that's a piece or for us to split. It looks to me like you are trying to lowball us?"
"Low ball? That's a lot of money." Sam whispered.
"It also says you can come and go as you please, dictate my schedule, and I am supposed to wear the brand you choose?" Mercedes continued.
"It's a standard contract." Holly defended.
Mercedes looked at Shelby. "Shelby, do I even need to say it?"
Shaking her head, Shelby turned to Holly. "Had I known you were trying to lowball us, that is not what was agreed to by the head of the studio, Quinn Fabray."
"Well, it was clear she gave you the wrong numbers; this is standard for all chubby B-listers," Holly sneered.
"Chubby B list- It's time to leave," Mercedes said, standing.
Artie looked at her. "That's not the number I heard either, Mrs. Evans. And Holly, you are overstepping. Quinn told you to make this deal. Or else."
Holly frowned. "No one really wants to see her; they want to see that fine piece of man, so I don't see the issue," she said, leering at Sam.
Mercedes sighed. "You know, Holly, I have been against women like you my whole life, women who look at me and don't see my worth, don't see just how amazing I am. Do you want to know why your boss wants to film my life? Why they agreed? It's because I am a superstar. My songs have all hit number one. My newest single is still on the top of the charts. I am up for not one, not two, not three, but four Grammys. I am worth far more than that. So either stop lowballing us, or we walk."
"Then walk!" Holly huffed angrily as Mercedes nodded, moving towards the door.
"Wait!" Artie said as he pulled out his phone. "Ms. Fabray would like to speak to you…if you do not mind," he said, handing Mercedes the phone.
Mercedes took the phone and smiled. "I shouldn't be talking to you; you sent this psycho instead of coming to see me yourself! I swear I am letting Satan know you are avoiding me."
Quinn smiled through the video. "Well, you didn't invite me to your wedding, so let's call it even."
"Wait, you know Ms. Fabray?!" Holly sneered.
Mercedes ignored her, looking back at the phone. "This one here is about to cost you this documentary. Why do you want to do it anyway?"
"Girl, you are all anyone can talk about; I am trying to jump on that momentum and make us all money, so tell me what you need from me to make this happen?"
"Well, you can stop lowballing us; I mean, three hundred thousand Q? And why are you dictating what I wear or what I do?"
"I'm sorry, what were you offered?"
As Mercedes repeated herself, Holly's eyes widened in fear. "Your producer said no one wants to see a Chubby B lister, and they are here for my husband." She turned the camera to Sam. "Now, I know this man is all kinds of sexy, but she was about to lose a nose."
"Merce, Holly will be dealt with. I had to handle some last-minute things for my father. However, I will handle your documentary myself. I promise. As for your salary, we are willing to give you five million and your spouse one million, and we will put a clause in there that if we surpass our set number of viewers, you will be entitled to a bonus. Have Shelby give me your corrections and requests, and I will add them to the contract and bring it personally tomorrow morning."
"That sounds like a plan." Mercedes smiled. "And these other two?"
"Oh, Artie and Tina are amazing; you are in good hands with them."
Mercedes nodded. "Well, Sam and I have to go, but I suppose we will see you tomorrow. And I will make sure to get a table for four."
"Merce, please don't tell her I am coming."
"Why? You wanna surprise her? Maybe she will forgive you?" Mercedes smirked.
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Give me back to Artie. He will talk with Shelby, and you are good to go. We want to start filming next week."
Mercedes looked at Sam, who gave a half-shrug and half-nod. "Okay, we can do that. We should be in the new house by then."
After Mercedes handed Shelby the phone, she stood and took Sam's hand, hearing Will groan, and Holly folded her arms across her chest. "That woman was about to be slapped if she kept looking at you like a snack," Mercedes murmured as they headed to the elevator.
"Well, then, she and Will would have had matching black eyes," Sam said, smiling. "So, I had no idea you were so…"
"What?" She asked, pushing the ground button.
"Well, the way you took control without sounding well bitchy, and getting me a million…I would have been fine with the three hundred thousand."
"Sam, in this industry, they will always try to lowball women who don't fit the mold. Thankfully, my team isn't like that."
Sam nodded. "And that Quinn woman?"
"I met her through Santana. The two have an… interesting relationship. They like to pretend they hate each other, but every time Quinn is in town, they secretly hook up."
"That's hot," Sam said before his eyes widened.
Mercedes laughed. "Don't feel like you offended me. It is hot."
Sam eyed her as they headed to the town car. "You continue to surprise me."
"Good." She smiled. "That's how I like it."
The camera crew trailed behind as Sam and Mercedes stood in the bright sunlight, examining the fourth house of the day. Sam adjusted his leather jacket, running a hand through his hair.
After seeing them wearing matching jackets last week, Artie insisted they do it for the first shoot of the documentary. So they put him in another pair of dark wash jeans, a white shirt, and a leather jacket.
Sam exhaled, looking around. "So far, so good," he murmured, stealing a glance at Mercedes, who stood a few feet away.
She looked stunning in her white crop top and flowing black skirt, the slit at her thigh teasing just enough to make it hard for Sam to concentrate. Her cropped leather jacket and high ponytail added a casual yet polished vibe, but her bold lipstick caught his attention. He couldn't stop staring at her lips.
"Hey, eyes up here, lover boy," Mercedes teased, catching his stare.
Artie looked at Sam, motioning for him to pull Mercedes close.
Sam smirked, reaching for her. "Can't help it. You look amazing."
Mercedes was caught off guard, but she knew what he was doing, so she smiled back, nipping his lips playfully as Unique, their realtor from her label, clapped her hands, stepping into their line of sight. "Okay, lovebirds, focus. This house is the one. I feel it."
Marley, her assistant, nodded eagerly. "It checks every box we've discussed. You asked for over five bedrooms and the same bathrooms. The bedroom is the size of two bedrooms and has a gorgeous Kitchen. Plus, as per Mr. Evans, it has a massive backyard. Let's take a look."
The group made their way through the tall, gated entrance. Mercedes immediately noted how secure it felt. "This is already a win," she said, her tone approving. "No one's getting in here without permission."
"Exactly," Sam said, his hand at the small of her back as they walked forward.
The house itself was gorgeous—white with black trim and a touch of stone in the front, with gorgeous bay windows and a double-door entrance. The open concept and high ceilings made the interior feel massive, and the brand-new kitchen gleamed under the recessed lighting.
"Oh my gosh, this island!" Mercedes exclaimed, running her fingers over the marble countertop with a blue base. "I love the pop of color against the white cabinets. How long is this?"
Marley ran her hand across it. "It's almost twelve feet."
"Perfect." Mercedes gushed.
Sam nodded, impressed. "It's nice. Definitely feels modern but still warm."
As they moved through the house, Sam's excitement grew. The master bedroom was huge, with enough space for a king-sized bed, chairs, and a reading nook. The attached bathroom boasted his-and-hers sinks and massive closets, a clear improvement from the first house they'd seen.
"This is definitely a step up," Mercedes said, peeking into one of the closets. "Plenty of space for my clothes and shoes…hair."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Hair?"
She shrugged. "Ya wife loves a good weave or wig."
"Well, it's big enough for my stuff," Sam grinned. They discussed that since they would be filmed, they would share a bedroom and have their space in the other rooms.
As they walked towards the other bedrooms, Mercedes walked around one near where she wanted her office to be. "I think this would make a great salon/dressing room. So I can do my fittings here."
Sam smiled. "Yeah, you definitely need space for that, and that closet is pretty spacious as well."
Mercedes opened another door that led to one of the two bonus spaces. "I can see you setting up a man cave here."
Sam looked around the spacious room. "I can, too. I have a lot of comic and gaming systems, so this would work."
The other bedrooms were spacious, and the house had two dining rooms. Mercedes immediately claimed the second as her studio space. "I'll need to renovate it a little," she mused, imagining the possibilities.
Sam's eyes lit up when they toured the large backyard with a pool, pool house, and huge yard for him to tend to. "I can already see us using this space for the Evans Family picnic…this place is amazing."
As they walked inside, they moved to the other wing of the house, and Mercedes smiled. "These bedrooms can definitely be guest rooms, and we can each have an office."
Unique clapped again as they circled back to the kitchen. "So, what's the verdict?"
Mercedes glanced at Sam, her brow raised. "I think this might be it."
Sam nodded, looking around one last time. "Yeah. It's perfect. This is the one."
Marley let out a small cheer, and the camera crew captured the moment as Sam and Mercedes sealed the deal with what was going to be a quick hug, but Sam turned into a kiss.
"Alright," Mercedes said, smoothing her skirt. "Let's go lock this down before I change my mind."
"Once you sign, we will have all the furniture you two pick out moved in and your stuff. Furniture shopping is tomorrow. Unfortunately for you, your next stop today is the photoshoot," Unique chimed in, grinning. "You two better get ready to serve some serious looks."
Sam groaned, but Mercedes laughed, taking his hand as they walked out of their future home together.
On the way to the photo shoot, they had to take a detour. Santana and Sebastian, who now represented Sam, called him to let him know that in addition to what he would make for the documentary and the photo shoots, the label committed to investing a million into his business.
When he called his father to tell him what was going on, his father told him he had no choice but to stop by with his bride.
That is why Sam and Mercedes were parked in his parents' driveway. Turning to Mercedes, he watched as she fidgeted with her wedding ring.
"Ready?" he asked softly.
Mercedes exhaled sharply. "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Remember—united front," he said, taking her hand.
"United front," she repeated with a weak smile.
Dwight Evans stood by the open door, his imposing presence unmistakable. His gaze swept over Sam and settled on Mercedes, and though his expression was unreadable for a moment, a small smile eventually tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Welcome," Dwight said, stepping aside as his wife walked out.
Mary wasted no time pulling Mercedes into a warm hug. "It's about time you two made it here. I've been dying to meet you, Mercedes."
Stacey and Stevie appeared next, offering polite smiles. Kitty lingered in the hallway, arms crossed but curious. Finally, Teri Del Monico stepped out with Tom at her side.
With everyone gathered in the spacious living room, Mary guided Mercedes to a seat on the couch next to Sam, who instinctively took Mercedes's hand in his.
The moment Teri laid eyes on Mercedes, her expression soured. "Well, isn't this cozy?" she muttered, venom lacing her tone.
Tom folded his arms, standing beside his mother with a smirk. "So, you actually brought her. What's the matter, Sam? Couldn't leave her at home? Afraid she'd leave you?"
Sam's jaw tightened. "We came because family is important."
Tom sneered. "Family? That's rich, considering she never wanted to meet us when I was with her. Be honest, Sam—did you have to drag her here?"
Mercedes shook her head, keeping her voice steady. "No one dragged me. I wanted to come."
"Exactly," Sam added. "I don't force Mercedes to do anything. She's here because we're together."
Teri chimed in, her voice sharp. "Please, Tom told us everything. You're seriously going to defend that two-timing slut? He said she slept with both of you and then tricked you into marrying her because he refused."
Mercedes's eyes snapped to Tom. "Are you serious? Those are the lies you've been spreading about me?"
Tom narrowed his eyes. "Lies? I only told my family the truth."
A tense silence descended, and Mercedes felt every gaze in the room land on her, a mix of shock and suspicion. Heart pounding, she stood, unwilling to endure their scrutiny any longer.
"I don't have to stay and listen to this," she said, turning to leave.
Sam caught her wrist gently. "Wait," he whispered, his tone low. "United front, remember?"
She paused, meeting his gaze. His steady resolve gave her the strength to stay. She nodded and turned back around.
"No, let her go!" Teri hissed. Her furious eyes cut to Sam. "And you—how could you hurt your flesh and blood like this?"
Sam's expression hardened. "That's enough. You all know Tom's lying—that's what he does best."
Tom scoffed. "Oh, come on—"
"Everything Tom said is a lie," Sam continued, his voice slicing through the tension. "Mercedes has done nothing but try to connect with this family—she sent gifts, asked about everyone, and even gave away concert tickets. Tickets," he said pointedly, "that Tom sold for a profit."
Gasps rippled through the room. Tom looked mortified, as though he wished he could vanish into the floor.
"And let's talk about the truth, shall we?" Sam pressed on. "Tom didn't just lie about the tickets—he's also the one who tried to get Mercedes drunk enough to marry him in Vegas. He lied to her, me, and all of you."
Mercedes's hand flew to her mouth. "What?" she whispered, her eyes flicking to Tom in horror.
Sam tightened his grip on her hand. "I didn't want to bring this up. I didn't want Mercedes to know how truly messed up my brother is. But I won't let him slander my wife. Tom's been lying for years, and I won't let him hurt her." Sam turned to Mercedes. "I won't let him hurt you, not anymore."
Dwight's sharp gaze landed on Tom. "Is this true?"
Tom stammered, his face turning pale. "I—I was drunk! It wasn't like that—He stole her from me! She was mine!"
Teri snapped, glaring at Sam. "That's right. Tom is just heartbroken. Why must you always make my son out to be the bad guy?"
Mercedes lifted her chin, her voice trembling with anger. "Because your son is the bad guy. Tom has lied to me, lied about me, and stolen from me. I'm not sorry I dumped him, and I'm not sorry I found Sam. I only regret the mess Tom created with his lies."
"How dare you speak about my son like that!" Teri practically shrieked, her face contorting with rage.
"Enough," Dwight boomed, his voice echoing through the house. He turned his gaze to Mercedes, something like respect in his eyes. "You've shown a lot of grace today. I see why Sam chose you."
Mary nodded, moving to Mercedes's side and pulling her into a comforting hug. "We're so sorry you've been treated like this. You're part of this family now."
It seemed as if everyone believed her, which put Mercedes at ease; she couldn't put Sam between her and his family.
Tom growled angrily as he dashed out of the house.
Teri glowered at everyone in the room. She tore her arm away from Tom's weak attempt to calm her. "I will not stand here and watch you all tear my son apart! Believing this slut over my son! Dwight, do something!"
"I am not protecting him any longer. He's a grown man; he needs to act like it!" Dwight said, standing tall.
"This is all your fault, you bit-"
"Teri, let me make myself perfectly clear," Mercedes said, looking at her. "I am a very understanding person. I don't judge and try to practice what I preach about finding nonviolent solutions. That being said, I am my mother's child, and if you ever fix your lips to call me out of my name again, I will slap the taste out of your mouth."
Anger filled her eyes, and she stomped her foot, unable to handle the embarrassment. "How dare you! You think you can talk to me like this because you are famous!"
"No, I think I can talk to you like this because I am a grown woman. I am not a child, nor am I your child. Your son is not a good guy."
Sam moved in front of Mercedes, looking at Teri. "I know you want to defend Tom, but he's not the victim here."
Her eyes were filled with tears of rage. "You think I don't know my own son? I don't see how this always plays out with him playing second fiddle to you?" She looked to Dwight and back at Sam. "You're Dwight's real pride and joy—"
Sam didn't need to look at his father to know it was the truth. "This isn't about me, and you know it," Sam said firmly. "Tom crossed the line. He's lying, manipulating, and hurting people. Even my Mom and Dad can't defend him anymore. He's gone too far. I'm not the reason Tom makes bad choices," Sam said gently. "Neither is Mercedes. He needs help. But he can't keep blaming other people for his mistakes."
Teri glared at Sam, and then her gaze moved to Mercedes; for a moment, she looked like she was going to do something, but instead, she turned on her heels and stormed out of the house.
After Holly and Tom stormed out, the room slowly began to relax. Mary guided Mercedes toward the sitting area, where Stacey and Kitty joined them. They chatted warmly, offering reassurance and making Mercedes feel welcome.
Dwight, however, motioned for Sam to follow him into his study. Once inside, Dwight closed the door and turned to his son.
"Alright, Sam," Dwight said, his voice low. "What really happened?"
Sam sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the desk. "You sure you want to know?"
"At this point, nothing you can say about your brother would shock me, Sam." Dwight folded his arms. "I'm listening."
Sam nodded, gathering his thoughts. "It started when Tom asked me to go to Vegas with him. He said Mercedes was begging him to come and that he needed a wingman. So Blaine and I decided to make a trip of it."
Dwight raised an eyebrow. "But she'd already dumped him, hadn't she?"
"She had," Sam confirmed. "She broke things off weeks before. What I didn't know at the time was that Tom had stolen ten thousand dollars from her. Instead of pressing charges, she let him off so the scandal wouldn't ruin the company."
Dwight's eyes widened. "She didn't tell anyone?"
Sam shook his head. "She didn't want to hurt the business—or us. When we got to Vegas, Tom's whole story started falling apart. The next morning, I woke up married to Mercedes."
Dwight frowned. "You didn't remember?"
"No, but Blaine pieced it together," Sam said. "We discovered that Tom had hired a few guys to help him pull something off. His plan was to get Mercedes drunk, lead her out of the casino, and force her into a wedding chapel. If she resisted, those guys were supposed to...help."
Dwight's face darkened. "He planned to force her into marrying him?"
Sam nodded grimly. "But things didn't go the way he planned. He expected me to leave him alone with Mercedes, but seeing the way she acted around him, something in me felt the need to protect her." Sam sighed. "And so, since he couldn't get rid of me, he apparently spiked both my drink and Mercedes's. Even drunk, I could still see she was uncomfortable. Blaine said I pulled Tom away from her and promised to get her to her room before anything could happen to her. The men Tom hired must've seen me with her and assumed we were the ones he wanted to be married, so they guided us to the chapel instead."
Dwight exhaled slowly, the weight of the revelation settling over him. "Does Mercedes know about any of this?"
Sam shook his head, his expression heavy with guilt. "No. How can I tell her? How do I explain that Tom wasn't just lying—he was planning to hurt her?"
Dwight rubbed a hand over his face, struggling to process what he'd just learned. "You've got to tell her, son. She deserves to know the truth."
"I know," Sam admitted quietly. "But I need to figure out the right way to do it. She's already been through so much."
Dwight rested a hand on Sam's shoulder, a rare gesture of fatherly support. "You did the right thing standing up for her tonight. And whatever happens next, you're not alone in this. I won't say anything about this, but don't wait too long to tell her."
Sam nodded, grateful for his father's words but still burdened by the weight of his secret.
When Sam and Dwight emerged from the study, the atmosphere in the living room was notably lighter. Mercedes was seated between Stacey and Kitty, who were animatedly chatting with her, their earlier skepticism replaced by genuine interest. Mary sat nearby, her gentle smile reflecting relief that the tension had passed.
Sam clapped his hands lightly to get everyone's attention. "Alright, we've got to get going, or we'll miss the photo shoot," he announced, glancing at Mercedes, who nodded in agreement.
"But before we go," he continued, "I want to tell you all something. Mercedes and I are being filmed for a documentary. It's part of a deal with her label. If you don't want to be on camera, you're not obligated to sign the NDA. But," he added, a warm smile spreading across his face, "We're planning a housewarming party soon, and we'd love for all of you to come."
The family exchanged looks, their earlier wariness softening into smiles.
"I'm in," Stacey said quickly, earning a nudge from Kitty.
"Us too," Mary added, speaking for herself and Dwight.
"Good," Sam said, his grin widening. "Stacey, Kitty, Mercedes gave you her number, right?"
"Yes!" Stacey said excitedly. "She promised to let us come to her concert next week!"
Mercedes chuckled. "And I keep my promises. Just let me know how many tickets you need."
Kitty leaned forward, her expression eager. "Do you really mean it? We can't wait!"
"Absolutely," Mercedes said warmly.
As Sam and Mercedes made their way to the door, Mercedes turned back to wave. "Thanks for having us," she said sincerely. "I'm really glad we came."
"We are too," Mary replied, her tone carrying a note of approval.
Once outside, Sam surprised Mercedes by pulling her into a hug. She smiled, relaxing into his embrace, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.
"Thanks for sticking by me in there," Sam murmured into her ear.
Mercedes looked up at him, her voice soft. "We're a team, remember?"
The family watched through the living room curtains from inside the house. Mary, standing beside Dwight, rested a hand on his arm. "They're good together," she said quietly.
Dwight nodded, his earlier doubts now replaced with a sense of pride in his son. "Yeah," he agreed. "They really are."