Enjoy!

Sam sighed, staring at the Elite as he and Simon waited for his dad, Stevie, and Hunter to show up. "This is surreal…I really didn't want to leave my place…but the Elite is amazing."

"Sam, that studio could barely hold you; it won't be suitable for a little girl," Simon said, looking around. "You need a safe space to raise my niece."

"A safe space would be with her mother! What kind of woman just abandons her child?"

"The same kinda woman who didn't tell you that you were a father."

Sam sighed. "And now my world is turned upside down."

Simon turned to Sam. "How do you think that little girl feels? She loses the one person who was her constant and is around strangers."

"I didn't think about it like that."

Simon shoved him as his phone beeped. "Well, maybe you should." He looked down at his phone and smiled. "Come on, I got the code now."

Sam nodded, following him inside the apartment complex. This was moving fast, and he knew that whoever his brother had helping him was trying to get on Simon's good side. She was probably some horny woman who would do anything for his brother to give her the time of day.

"Do I even want to know what you did…or rather who you did to get me into the Elite? I know this place has a waiting list." Sam said, looking around as he walked to the elevator.

When Simon told him he was moving, Sam assumed it would be to a two-bedroom apartment in his own complex. His brother was right; he didn't think his place was safe for a child.

A child. He was a father, and it still hadn't dawned on him. When he thought about kids, he wasn't even sure he wanted any; he was pretty content with being single. But now he didn't have a choice; Chloe was his daughter, and he had to learn how to be a dad quickly.

While his mother and sister took the little girl shopping for things she would need, Sam, his brothers, father, and a few men Simon and Stevie worked with at the firehouse helped him pack up his studio apartment.

Simon pushed the button to the fifth floor. "Mercedes isn't like that, so no one slept around to get you this place. She's a friend who knows about hard times."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Just a friend?"

Simon looked at him. "She's Kyle's widow."

Sam's eyes widened, hearing the name of Simon's best friend. The two had been friends since they were all young. Sam often tagged along with them as a child since he and Simon were only eleven months apart.

"So Kyle's wife works here?"

Simon nodded. "It was funny. I was here with her two and a half years ago when she came here for a tour, and by the end of it, that woman came out with an apartment, rent cut in half, and a job."

Sam looked at his brother as the elevator doors opened and could see how much he admired the woman. Sam had never met her, but from what he heard and what Kyle had described, she was selfless and very kind.

"Simon, you know I appreciate you doing this, right? Calling in a favor for me, I don't know how I would handle any of this if it weren't for you."

Simon smiled. "We are brothers; that's what we do, and in truth, if it weren't for you, I would have died when Kyle did. You gave me strength; in return, I could be strong for Mercedes and Kylie, so it's a win-win for all of us."

'Kylie? That's her daughter, right?"

"Yeah, she's three, so maybe she and Chloe can be friends. I will ask Mercedes about the Daycare Kylie goes to; maybe she can put in a good word for you."

Sam nodded. "That's Good; I'm going to need it. I told Artie I was going to be remote for the rest of this week so I could help Chloe adjust."

As they reached the door, Sam stopped him. "Simon, how am I supposed to do this?"

Simon patted Sam on the back. "You have no choice."

Sam frowned as Simon knocked on Mercedes's door. He didn't know what he expected her to look like, but the woman who opened the door took his breath away. He couldn't stop his gaze from roaming down her curvy body, even in a pink sweatsuit, with her hair in a messy bun.

"Si! Hey, come on, in. You gotta give me a second; Jane and Ky are in the middle of a dance battle."

"Ah no, I am kicking her butt!" Came from inside and Sam laughed as he heard a little girl correct the other woman.

"No! I kick your butt!"

"Jane! I told you that girl is a sponge."

Simon laughed, and Sam followed him inside, smiling as he watched the little girl dance. She had golden curls on top of her head and wore a pink tutu.

"Merce, this is Sam, my younger brother. Sam, this is Mercedes, her semi-sister Jane, and this little princess is Kylie." He said, picking up the girl.

"Si Si! Fly!" Kylie said, giggling.

"Ky, Si Si is only here for a minute," Mercedes said.

Simon shook his head. "Hey, my Princess wants to fly, so I'm gonna make her fly," Simon said, putting her on his shoulder and racing her around the room.

Sam hadn't seen this side of Simon before; seeing his brother with Kylie opened his eyes to a few things, including why Simon was adamant about Sam being with Chloe.

"So, Sam, where is your daughter?" Mercedes asked.

"Our parents took her; Sam didn't have anything for her," Simon said as he tried to put Kylie down, but she held onto his neck.

Mercedes nodded as there was a knock, and Stevie, Hunter, and Dwight walked in.

"Evie! Unter!" Kylie said happily, seeing the youngest Evans walk in.

"S-Stevie and H-hunter, sweetpea," Mercedes said, helping her with the sounds of their names. "Hi, guys!"

Hunter hugged Mercedes, kissing her forehead in the brotherly way he had done from the moment they met. "How are my girls?"

"We are good; how is my brother? He hasn't called me today."

Hunter smiled. "That's because he is nursing a wound. He had a date with that Blaine guy he's been seeing and accidentally told him he loved him."

Jane laughed. "Sebastian? That man dropped the L word first?"

Hunter nodded. "I know, he locked himself in his office."

Mercedes moved to hug Stevie as Sam silently watched this woman interact with his family.

"And who is this strapping man? Another Evans sibling?" Mercedes said, smiling at Dwight.

"Oh, ho ho, I like her." Dwight took her hand in his. "Hello, Darlin', I am Dwight Evans." He beamed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you finally. Si and Stevie talk about you and your wife all the time. I am Mercedes, and this is Jane; she's my little sister. And this is my daughter Kylie."

"Wow…she really does look just like Kyle," Dwight said softly.

Mercedes nodded. "He left me with the best gift."

Dwight nodded, seeing her brimming with tears. "You know, I knew Kyle for many years; I just never knew he had a game like this," Dwight teased. "You are stunningly gorgeous."

"Mr. Evans," Mercedes said bashfully.

"Nope, none of that, call me Dwight. Now, I want to make it known to both of you beautiful ladies that I have three very single boys if any of you are looking."

"Dad!" All three said, looking at him.

"Look, I am doing this for your own good. These women are 10s. The best you all even did was a 7. Take the help."

Mercedes shook her head with a giggle. "All you Evans men are trips. Can I get anyone anything to drink?"

"We couldn't put you out", Dwight said.

"Don't do that, Dad. Mercedes loves to host. She'd be offended if you didn't take her up."

"Hey! I am not that bad." Mercedes scolded playfully.

"Well, if you don't mind, I'll take something."

Mercedes smiled. "Freshly made lemonade is coming up. Ky, do you want to help momma or stay with Si and Hunter?"

"Stay!" Kylie said happily.

"How about I give you a hand," Dwight said, moving towards her.

"I appreciate it." Leading him towards the kitchen, she grabbed a few glasses. "So, are you excited to be a grandfather?"

Dwight nodded. "The women are excited to shop, but I am worried about my boy, if I am honest."

Mercedes placed the pitcher on the counter. "This is a big change for you all. But Sam is lucky; he doesn't have to do this alone."

"Things were hard for you, weren't they?" He asked, placing the glasses on the tray.

"I wasn't alone. The things you and your wife sent, Si, Hunter, and the guys at the firehouse, it was not as bad as they could have been. And the same can be said with your son…oh speaking of him, I have some things that could help; let me go get it…do you mind?"

"Not at all. Go grab it, and I will go and pass the drinks out."

Mercedes thanked him as she brought out the big box to her room.

"Go help her son," Dwight said to Sam, who nodded and walked over to her, helping take the box from her.

"This thing is almost as big as you." Sam smiled.

"Thanks for the help; yeah, it's full of a lot of Ky's things. She didn't get a chance to wear some because she's so tall, so they are new. And two pairs of new shoes, because I tend to buy so many things. I also added a few stuffies... And blankets."

Sam looked at her, confused; she bought his daughter clothes? This woman didn't know him, so why was she being nice? "Why?"

"Excuse me?" She asked, confused.

Sam put the box down by the door. "I asked why you got this big box of things for a girl you don't know. Hell, for a man you don't know."

"Sam, you are being rude." Stevie said as Sam crossed his hands across his chest.

"Am I? I mean, it's a valid question." He looked back over to Mercedes. "Look, if you are trying to look good for my brother, by donating to my cause, I need you to stop. I won't be the charity case that got you laid." Sam didn't know why the words came out the way they did. Maybe it was him trying to save face because he was insanely attracted to her and seeing how she acted with Simon, or perhaps it was jealousy at how his brother looked at her.

But when he saw her reaction, he had never regretted more words than he did at that moment. He had hurt her.

Mercedes stepped back like she was physically slapped in the face. "You did not just say that to me."

Hunter stood up. "That was uncalled for!"

"Sam!" Simon scolded. "What the hell?"

"Are you serious?" Mercedes asked. "Did you really just stand here in my face and say that to me?"

Well, since he was in it now, he might as well stay the course. "I call it like I see it," Sam said, avoiding the glares he was getting.

"And what you see is me trying to sleep with your brother, with you, and your family here?" She questioned.

"Women like you always have an agenda."

"Women like-" Mercedes hissed as she stepped closer to him, placing her hands on her hips and causing everyone to stop and stare at her. "Let me make something very clear: if you ever say something like that to me again, I will forget that I am a good person. See, your brother told me about what happened, and I was trying to be nice. Hence why, I moved you up on the waitlist, despite two other people being waiting, hence why I rushed your background check to get you in here not this weekend or next week but tonight. And you have the audacity to assume I am doing it to get laid? As if I needed help in that department?"

Mercedes ignored Jane's murmur that she did and shook her head. "Get out of my apartment. Now."

Sam tried to move towards her, but Simon shook his head. "Merce, I am sorry."

Mercedes didn't answer him; she just grabbed the folder from her table with all the information, including the code to get into his apartment and how to scan his hand. She handed it to Simon before taking Kylie into her arms and carrying the little girl into her room.

Everyone looked after her before Simon shoved Sam. "You asshole!"

"Normally, I'd tell you to watch your mouth, but in this case, I agree," Dwight said.

"Dad!" Sam groaned.

"No! Samuel, do you understand that that woman in there didn't have to do anything for you? She didn't owe you a damn thing?"

"And before you say she did it 'cause she owes me, she doesn't." Simon breathed. "She lost her husband, Sam, and all I did was the right thing for her, which is what she tried to do for you. And I am sorry that you are so jaded that you only see the bad, but if you are going to be a father, you need to grow up."

"I didn't ask to be a father!" Sam yelled.

"Well, tough shit," Simon said. "You are!"

Stevie exhaled. "Simon, why don't you and Dad take Sam to his apartment? Jane and I will check on Mercedes,"

"We will?" Jane questioned. She looked at him and blushed at the look on his face. "Yeah…we will. Don't forget the box."

Sam let Simon pull him out of the apartment as Dwight grabbed the box. Sam stared at him and stepped back, seeing the anger on his face. "What?"

"He asks what, dad? Hmm, let me count the ways you were a complete ass in there."

"Didn't you already yell at me about it?"

Simon scoffed. "Well, let's consider this the encore. You just don't get it, Sam."

"What don't I get? If you are worried that she is going to stop talking to you because of what I said, then she's not a real friend, is she? It's not like I have to worry about it. We don't have to be friends because she got me a place."

Simon gave a humorless laugh. "Sam, you saw me when I was down and broken over Kyle. Imagine how she felt losing the love of her life. And you basically called her a whore."

"Besides that," Dwight added. "How are you going to disrespect a woman you are probably going to see every day? When she manages this place."

Sam rolled his eyes. "This place is huge. I may see her occasionally, but it's not as serious as you two are making it. So, can we just go to my place to start bringing these things up?"

Simon nodded. "Because your place is far from Mercedes, right?"

Before Sam could answer, Simon took three steps and unlocked the door across from Mercedes. "I'd start working on that apology if I were you; she likes brownies."

Sam picked his jaw off the floor, realizing that his brother was right; he had fucked up.