Hey guys, so I know I updated two last night, and you get two today, so enjoy!

Mercedes sat at the kitchen table, staring down at the untouched cup of tea in front of her. It had been sitting there for almost fifteen minutes, steam long gone, but she hadn't taken a single sip.

Her mind was too cluttered, looping the events of last night over and over.

The date had been nice. Christian was wonderful. The restaurant was beautiful. The conversation had flowed easily.

But the kiss?

Nothing.

Not even a spark.

Some of her wanted to brush it off as first-date nerves, but she knew the truth deep down. And that truth was sitting like a weight on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She was so lost in thought that she barely registered the sound of footsteps until her father, Percy Jones, settled into the chair across from her.

"You've been staring at that cup like it's going to answer your questions," he said, his deep voice warm with amusement.

Mercedes sighed, finally looking up. "Maybe it will. At this point, it might be more helpful than me just thinking myself in circles."

Percy chuckled, leaning back slightly as he studied her. "Alright, baby girl. Spill. What's got you looking so twisted up?"

Mercedes hesitated, picking at the corner of her napkin before finally exhaling. "I went on a date last night."

Percy raised a brow. "With that Christian fella?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"How was it?"

"It was… fine," she admitted, playing with the handle of her mug. "Actually, it was better than fine. He's nice, Dad. He's smart, funny, successful. He really listens when I talk, and I can tell he genuinely wants to be with me."

Percy listened carefully, nodding. "Sounds like a good man."

"He is," Mercedes agreed. "But when he kissed me…" She trailed off, biting her lip.

Percy waited for her to continue, his expression unreadable.

"I felt nothing," she admitted finally, shaking her head. "Like, zero. No butterflies, no racing heart, no…" She exhaled.

Percy rubbed a hand over his chin, nodding slowly. "I see."

"I want to move on," she continued, her voice heavier now. "I want to be open to someone who might actually be good for me. But I don't know if I can."

Percy's eyes softened. "Because of Sam."

Mercedes swallowed hard, nodding. "Because of Sam."

For a long moment, Percy didn't say anything. He just sat there, his hands folded in front of him, his gaze thoughtful.

Then, he finally spoke. "Mercedes, I raised you to be a woman who knows her worth. And that means knowing when to hold on and when to let go."

Mercedes looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting together. "I don't know what to do, Daddy."

Percy leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm. "Baby, I'm not gonna tell you who to be with. That's your choice. But what I will tell you is this: You deserve a love that makes you feel something. And if you don't feel it with Christian, then don't waste your time or his."

Mercedes sighed. "I don't want to hurt him."

"And you think leading him on would hurt him less?" Percy challenged, raising a brow.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "No."

Percy smiled faintly. "Look, sweetheart. I've been married to your mother for over thirty years. And let me tell you something—real love? The kind that lasts? It's not about grand gestures or perfect moments. It's about feeling something deep down in your soul. It's about knowing, even on the hardest days, that there's no one else in this world you'd rather have beside you."

Mercedes swallowed past the lump in her throat.

Percy reached over, resting a hand over hers. "So ask yourself, baby girl—who do you want beside you?"

Her eyes burned, but she managed a quiet, "I don't know."

Percy gave her a knowing look. "Yeah, you do. You're just scared to say it."

Mercedes blinked, looking away. "Even if I still love him, what if it's not enough? What if we just hurt each other again?"

Percy squeezed her hand. "Then that's a risk you have to be willing to take. Love ain't easy, Mercedes. It never has been. But the real question is—is he worth it?"

Mercedes inhaled sharply.

She didn't have an answer.

But the fact that Sam was still in her heart and mind, even when she was trying to be with someone else, told her more than she was ready to admit.

The next few days were hard for Mercedes.

She tried to go about her normal routine, focusing on work, spending time with the girls, and even responding to a few of Christian's texts with polite but distant messages, but she felt different.

The conversation with her father kept replaying in her mind.

"Ask yourself, baby girl—who do you want beside you?"

She wanted the answer to be easy. She wanted to be sure.

And the easy answer was clear.

But every time she thought about Christian, all she saw was a good man who checked every logical box except the chemistry one.

And then, it never failed, and she thought about Sam…every single time.

And when she did think of Sam, her heart ached.

It was frustrating. It was infuriating. And yet, it was the truth.

And Mercedes hated that she couldn't ignore it anymore.

It was Thursday evening, and Mercedes was exhausted. She had been working all day on finalizing some details for her fashion line, and her mind was running on fumes.

Sam had taken the girls to the park earlier to give her a break, but now they were home, bouncing excitedly as they told her about their adventures.

"Daddy pushed us so high on the swings!" Jamie declared.

"And we got ice cream!" Anna added, grinning wide.

Mercedes smiled as she knelt to hug them. "Sounds like you two had the best day."

"The Only thing that would make it better was if Mommy was there, right?" Sam said, and the girls nodded happily, saying yes.

Mercedes hugged the girls tightly, and Sam stood a few feet away, watching the exchange with a soft expression.

This was his dream; it was clear as day.

Mercedes stood and smiled. "I think it's bath time! And then it's time for bed.

The girls groaned in unison, but Sam laughed. "You heard your mommy. Upstairs, go."

After a few more complaints and exaggerated sighs, the twins finally ran upstairs, leaving Sam and Mercedes alone in the living room.

"I'll get their baths done if you can get their pajamas and things ready, " Mercedes said.

Sam nodded. "Got it."

She smiled as she headed upstairs to help the girl'sgirls.

After running the bath water, Mercede watched as the girls happily washed.

It wasn't long before she and Sam had the girls' lotioned up, hair brushed, PJ's on, and ready for bed.

Sam and Mercedes sat in the middle of the floor and read to the girls, who smiled and enjoyed the moment.

Once they were done, Sam's phone rang. He kissed the girls on the forehead and smiled at Mercedes, saying he would be back.

After he left, Mercedes tucked them into bed, kissed them, and then walked towards the door, turning off the light.

Jamie, ever the bold one, spoke first. "Mommy… is Daddy gonna live with us?"

Mercedes blinked, caught off guard. She turned fully toward them, leaning on the counter. "What makes you ask that, baby?"

Anna looked over to Jamie and then back to Mercedes. "Because he's here a lot now," she said, her little voice thoughtful. "And you don't get mad when he hugs you no more."

Jamie nodded, her curls bouncing. "And 'cause we want him to," she added, looking up with big, hopeful eyes.

Mercedes' heart clenched.

She walked towards them and bent down, taking their hands in hers. "Listen, babies," she said gently. "Me and Daddy… we love you so, so much. And we're working really hard to figure things out. But sometimes, grown-ups need time to make sure we're doing the right thing."

Anna's lip jutted out in a small pout. "So, is that a no?"

Mercedes hesitated. She hated how much their little faces looked like Sam's when they were sad.

"It's not a no," she promised. "But it's not a yes yet, either."

Jamie frowned, clearly processing. "So… if you and Daddy be nice to each other, he can come back?"

Mercedes swallowed hard. Kids had a way of making everything seem so simple. In their world, love was love. Families stayed together. Hurt didn't linger in the same way it did for adults.

She forced a smile. "We're trying, baby."

Jamie studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But I think he should stay."

Anna crossed her arms, suddenly serious. "Me too."

Mercedes let out a soft laugh, kissing each of their foreheads. "Y'all are too smart for your own good."

"Like you," Jamie said, grinning.

Mercedes stood, smoothing their hair down. "Alright, it's time for little princesses to close their eyes and go to bed, but how about for tonight? I will make sure Daddy stays; that way, he can have breakfast with us?"

Anna perked up. "Yes!"

"Can we have waffles?" Jamie asked excitedly.

Mercedes smiled. "Yes, but only if you go to sleep now."

Satisfied, the girls laid back, and Mercedes turned off the light, which triggered their night light.

As she walked down the hall, she felt their words settle deep in her chest.

Is Daddy gonna live with us?

She didn't have an answer yet.

But she was finally ready to find out.

Mercedes walked to her room, changing into her Pajama as she waited for Sam to come back in.

There was a knock as she sat on the bed, and she smiled, telling him to come on in.

Sam opened the door and smiled, looking at her. "Hey."

Mercedes smiled. "Hey, everything okay?"

He nods. "Yeah, that was my dad. He just told me that the firm just voted me partner."

Mercedes's eyes widened as she jumped up and held him close. "Sam! That's amazing! I am proud of you."

Sam held her close. "Thank you; I am proud of myself." He continued to hold her close. "Would it be too much to ask to come and have breakfast with the girls?"

Mercedes exhaled, stepping away. "Actually, the girls asked if you could be here in the morning so you can stay…"

Sam looked at her and nodded happily. "That would…that would be amazing. Honestly? There is nothing i love more than being with those girl's. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

His voice was so sincere, filled with warmth, and that simple statement hit differently for some reason.

She looked at him, really looked at him, and something shifted in her chest.

Sam must have noticed because his expression softened even more. "You okay?"

Mercedes opened her mouth to say yes. To brush it off. To keep pretending that she wasn't drowning in her own feelings.

But she couldn't.

Instead, she whispered, "Why did you do it?"

Sam's brows furrowed. "Do what?"

"Hurt me," she said, her voice barely above a breath. "Why did you believe her?"

Sam inhaled sharply like he had been punched in the gut.

"I—" He hesitated, raking a hand through his hair before looking at her again. "Because I was stupid. Because I let my insecurities get the best of me. Because I let my pride win when my heart was screaming at me that I was wrong."

Mercedes' throat tightened.

Sam moved closer, moving to sit them on the bed together. "I've lived with that regret every single day, Mercedes. Every single day. And if I could go back and change what I did if I could undo the pain I caused you. I would."

She swallowed hard. "But you can't."

"No," he admitted. "I can't."

The room felt too small, too heavy with everything they weren't saying.

Then Sam exhaled, his voice raw. "But I can tell you that I love you. That I never stopped loving you."

Mercedes' breath caught.

Sam searched her face, his green eyes desperate. "Tell me you don't feel it, too, and I'll back off. I'll let you go, I swear. I'll just co-parent and nothing more."

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

This was the moment.

The choice.

And when she spoke, her voice was so quiet, yet so confident.

"I do."

She barely had time to register the way Sam's expression broke with relief and emotion before his lips were on hers.

It wasn't hesitant. It wasn't soft.

It was everything.

It was desperation and longing and home all wrapped into one.

Mercedes melted into him, her hands tangling in his hair, her body pressing into his. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer, closer, closer.

And in that kiss, she knew.

It was Sam.

It had always been Sam.

When they finally pulled apart, Mercedes was breathless, her forehead resting against his.

Sam swallowed hard, his hands still cradling her face. "Mercedes…"

She closed her eyes, trying to gather herself.

Trying to breathe.

Because everything had just changed.

And there was no going back now.

The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the ceiling fan above them. She pulled Sam with her, laid back on the bed, and turned to stare at him like they did back at school.

Looking back at her, Sam rested beside her, their fingers intertwined between them. The weight of their past, the wounds still fresh despite the years, hung in the air. But for the first time in a long time, neither of them was running from it.

Sam watched her in the dim light of the lamp on the nightstand. His thumb traced slow, lazy circles against the back of her hand, grounding himself in the warmth of her skin.

"I never told you everything," he admitted, voice rough but honest.

Mercedes turned her head to meet his gaze. "Tell me now."

Sam exhaled, shifting slightly on the bed. "That night… when I saw Puck leaving, and you in that robe, it broke me, and then Penny told me what she did… I lost it. I don't know if it was my insecurities, my own self-doubt, or just… the fear that you didn't love me the way I loved you, but I believed it."

His voice cracked slightly, and he let out a humorless chuckle. "I should've known better. God, I should've known better. But I was so lost and broken that I let myself fall into it."

Mercedes stayed silent, letting him get it out.

"When I woke up to divorce papers… I spiraled," Sam continued, his voice raw. "I barely existed. I only went to school and work, nothing else. I shut myself off from everything. Penny tried to get close. I think she thought I'd be easy to be with once you were out of the picture, but I just… couldn't see her as anything more than the reason I lost you."

Mercedes squeezed his fingers gently. "I threw myself into work," she admitted. "Helping Puck and Zara with Bailey, keeping my mind busy. It was… hard seeing them happy, but I focused on my career. It was the only thing I could control."

She closed her eyes. "After you left the funeral, I swore I was done with you. Then,…color me surprised to learn that you left me with the two most amazing gifts. I was willing to forgive you and work it out, but hearing Penny call you her fiancee made me think you left me for her. It was too much."

"Never. I didn't want her, don't want her, only you." Sam turned fully toward her, his free hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. His lips brushed against her forehead, her temple, and the corner of her mouth. "I'm so proud of you, Mercedes," he murmured, his lips trailing soft kisses along her jaw. "For everything you've accomplished and for being an amazing mother. And I will forever guide you, forever help you, forever love you."

Mercedes closed her eyes, breathing him in. "And I'll help you too," she whispered. "But… we need counseling, Sam. If we're going to do this, we need help."

Sam chuckled, pressing a lingering kiss against her lips before pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. "I'll go… but only if it's a man. The last therapist I had was a woman, and she was crazy."

Mercedes let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Of course you would say that."

Before Sam could respond, the bedroom door creaked open.

"Mommy?"

Two small figures stood in the doorway, their faces sleepy but wide-eyed with surprise. "Daddy?"

Sam and Mercedes sat up slightly as Jamie and Anna hesitated momentarily before rushing forward.

"We couldn't sleep," Jamie mumbled, crawling onto the bed and immediately wrapping her little arms around Mercedes.

Anna, ever her father's child, climbed onto Sam's chest and nuzzled into him. "You're here," she whispered, blinking up at him.

Sam swallowed hard, his arms instinctively wrapping around his daughter as he looked across the bed at Mercedes. "Yeah, baby. I'm here."

Jamie peeked up from Mercedes' arms, looking between her parents with sleepy but curious eyes. "Are you staying, Daddy?"

Sam didn't even hesitate. He looked right at Mercedes, his heart in his throat. "I want to."

Mercedes stared at him for a long moment before reaching across the bed and lacing her fingers with his once more.

"We'll try," she said softly.

Sam exhaled, his shoulders sagging in relief as a slow smile spread across his face.

"Then that's all I need."

He pulled Anna closer, kissing her curls as Mercedes stroked Jamie's back. The room settled into warmth and safety, finally feeling whole.

This was what he wanted.

Forever.

And this time, he would fight like hell to make sure he never lost it again.

The office was warm, inviting even. A large bookshelf lined one wall, filled with everything from psychology books to self-help guides, while a few abstract paintings added a modern touch to the space.

The plush couch Mercedes and Sam sat on was comfortable, but neither of them truly felt at ease.

Across from them, their therapist, Dr. Roland Carter, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and a calm, measured demeanor, sat in a leather chair, flipping through his notepad.

He looked at them both with an expression that was equal parts professional and compassionate.

"So, let's start with the basics," Dr. Carter said, his voice deep but soothing. "What brings you both here today?"

Mercedes exhaled, glancing at Sam before looking at the doctor. "We were married out of college, and then his ex tricked him into divorcing me…we hooked up two years after that at my Grandmother's funeral, and I got pregnant and now…well, now we're trying again," she said carefully, choosing her words. "We want to rebuild, for ourselves and for our daughters."

Sam nodded. "Yeah. We just—" He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "We need help. We've been through a lot, and I know that if we don't face it the right way, we won't make it."

Dr. Carter nodded, his pen tapping lightly against his notepad. "That's a good starting point. Acknowledging that the past needs to be addressed is an important first step. But let's break it down further."

He leaned forward slightly. "Mercedes, let's start with you. What do you feel is your biggest concern when it comes to giving this relationship another chance?"

Mercedes hesitated, her fingers curling into her lap. She glanced at Sam, who was watching her closely, then back at the therapist. "I don't… trust him," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sam inhaled sharply but said nothing.

Dr. Carter nodded. "That makes sense. You were betrayed, and trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild. But tell me, do you want to trust him again?"

Mercedes bit her lip before nodding slowly. "Yes. But I don't know how."

Dr. Carter turned to Sam. "And you, Sam? What is your biggest concern?"

Sam swallowed hard, his fingers laced together. "That she'll never forgive me. That no matter what I do, she'll always look at me and see the man who hurt her."

Mercedes' throat tightened at his words, and for a moment, the room was silent.

Dr. Carter let the pause settle before speaking. "You both have valid fears. Mercedes, you fear getting hurt again. And Sam, you fear that it won't be enough no matter how much you change."

They both nodded.

Dr. Carter leaned back. "So let's start at the root of the pain—the betrayal. Sam, can you walk me through what happened in your own words?"

Sam exhaled, running a hand down his face. "I saw Puck leaving our house late at night. It messed with my head. And then Penny, who was my ex and supposed to be my friend, fed me a lie and told me Mercedes had been with Puck behind my back. He got her pregnant." He clenched his fists. "I didn't think. I reacted. And instead of talking to Mercedes and believing in her, I believed Penny."

Mercedes stared at the floor, her stomach twisting as she listened.

"I was a coward," Sam continued, his voice thick with regret. "And when I woke up to divorce papers, I thought it was what I deserved. I fell into this… pit. I barely functioned. I went to class and went to work, but I wasn't living. Penny tried to get closer, but I couldn't even look at her without feeling sick."

He turned to Mercedes then, his green eyes filled with something raw. "But none of that changes the fact that I broke us. That I shattered you."

Mercedes swallowed hard.

Dr. Carter nodded before shifting his attention to Mercedes. "What did that betrayal do to you?"

Mercedes inhaled shakily. "It destroyed me."

Sam closed his eyes for a second as if the words physically hurt him.

"I loved him with everything in me," Mercedes continued, her voice quiet but steady. "He was my best friend, my person. And then, in one night, he threw all of that away because of someone else's lie."

She turned to look at Sam now, her eyes glistening. "You knew me, Sam. And yet, you believed the worst of me."

Sam's jaw clenched, but he didn't look away. "I know," he whispered. "And I will never forgive myself for that."

Dr. Carter let the weight of the moment settle before speaking again. "Mercedes, do you believe Sam regrets what he did?"

She didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Dr. Carter nodded. "Then the question is, do you want to forgive him?"

Mercedes exhaled. "I don't know how."

"That's what we're here for," Dr. Carter assured her. "Forgiveness isn't about forgetting. It's about processing. Understanding. Healing. And Sam…" He turned his attention back to him. "You need to understand that trust isn't rebuilt with words. It's built with actions. With time. With consistency."

"I know," Sam said firmly. "And I'll do whatever it takes."

Dr. Carter studied him for a moment before leaning forward slightly. "Okay. Then here's your first assignment."

Both Mercedes and Sam straightened.

"For the next week, Sam, I want you to listen. I don't want you to fix it; I don't want you to promise; just listen to Mercedes. Let her tell you how she's feeling without jumping to defend yourself."

Sam nodded, determined. "Okay."

Dr. Carter turned to Mercedes. "And for you, I want you to allow yourself to be vulnerable. If you're angry, be angry. If you're hurt, be hurt. But don't bury it. Say it. Feel it. Let him hear you."

Mercedes hesitated but nodded. "Alright."

Dr. Carter leaned back, folding his hands. "This isn't going to be easy. It's going to take work, and it's going to take patience. But if you both want this, really want this, it's possible."

Sam turned to Mercedes, and their eyes locked in a way that sent a shiver through her.

"I want this," he said, his voice unwavering.

Mercedes inhaled deeply. "I do, too."

Dr. Carter smiled. "Then let's start rebuilding."