Friday
Three hours later they were both worn out and decided to get some sleep, Mercy woke them up the next morning saying they needed to get back to the ranch "What's the plan for Tuesday?" she asked as she sat at the dresser fixing her hair
"You'll be singing, a lot" he said smiling
"Yeah and?"
"That's as much as you're getting" he laughed "Nothing to do with it remember" making her smile "Oh and that was the last time of that for us until after the wedding" he said pointing at the bed
An hour later they were with the family "You didn't tell me my folks were here already" she said as she walked in to LJ running around the hall at speed with Michael in chase and Stevie and Stacy being obstacles for Michael to get past to get to him
"Singing, a lot that's all your getting" Sam said smiling at her again before kissing her nose after which she went in kissing, hugging and slapping her family "The guys are all coming down on Sunday so you can have a hen night" he informed her
"Wow I'm having a hen night? Shit Petra's going to miss it" she said getting her phone out
Friday day was filled with girlie time all the girls went for a pamper session and lunch, they tried a new restaurant Sam's Mom was raving about, they went horse riding and spent some time at the pool at home before sitting in the music room listening to old school songs Country, Reggae and Pop on the You Tube inspiring conversations while playing with LJ.
"Sorry but it's nearly 6 pm and I haven't seen Mickie since like 10 this morning I need to go get my fix" Jodice said as Marcia's favourite lovers rock tune played
"You sure it's Mickie and not the music?" Monica asked laughing
"Both if I'm honest" Jodice laughed back
"Okay 20 minutes and then back here" Marcia agreed as Rose stopped the music and they all made their way out
The football was on the TV and the arguments were flying with cans all over the table but, when their women walked in the room it was hard to say which guy noticed first, Sam was first on the move but, only by less than seconds before Mickie, Stevie and Tony; Stacy's Boyfriend, followed by Devon and Dan close behind.
"Hey you" Sam said as he hugged Mercy
"I've been really good" she said smiling at him "This was Jodice's call" she said "But I don't ever want to be too far away from you babe" she said kissing him "You're my heart you know this right?"
"I know it" he said hugging her in closer "We're going to be tied together in four days babe" he laughed
"We're already tied babe, it's just everyone else is going to be witness to what we are"
"I like that, it's our truth"
"Can we do something later, after dinner?"
"Yeah I'll see what's happening" he replied
"Come on ladies" Rose said as everyone left their other halves and returned to the music room, once settled in Rose continued her conversation "Jodice would you play us a piece please?" she asked
Jodice accommodated by playing a medley of Dolly Parton songs as everyone either sang, clapped or rocked along to it, about 40 minutes later Rose called dinner time and they all met up again
"What are we doing later?" Mercy asked excitedly as they ate their pudding
"I talked to Tony, Stevie and Mickie and we agreed Karaoke" he smiled
"Okay I need to get back in tune with my diva anyway" she smiled
So 90 minutes later they were entering the local bar to get some sing on, have a drink and enjoy each other's company "Your round" Michael shouted to anyone that was listening
"There's a tab at the bar" Sam said "Just show this" he said giving everyone a small green card with Evans written on it "What can I say it's our home town" he laughed
"Come on Sammy it's been ages since I got my sing on lets go look" Mercy said passing the bar for the song book as she heard Michael's voice on the mic "He's on form" she said as he started singing 'This is how we do it' By Montell Jordan as everyone in the club got the vibe and started moving to his groove as Sam, Tony and Stevie joined him, doing their wicked male back dancing stuff
"That brought me back" Mercy told him when he came back to hug her
"You should let me love you" he told her giggling his eyebrows
"As I'm here Sweet you got a song?" Michael asked Jodice when he'd finished
"Yeah 'Love you More' by Busy Signal & Mink Jo" she shouted up to him, he flicked through and found it while she made her way to him
"Oh I love this song" Mercy said getting excited about the night "Lovers Rock babe" she said to Sam as she started rocking, grabbing hold of Sam who just moved with her as Jodice and Mickie sung their song
"We'll go next" Stevie shouted as they approached the stage, the DJ started their song, Stevie started singing 'One' by Mary J Blige & U2 while he encouraged Brea to join in and when she did she had the most beautiful voice bringing tears to Mercy's eyes as she held her heart for a while before turning to Sam to hug him and slowly rocked first before breaking out into rock mode as Sam played her his imaginary guitar everyone clapping at the end
There were a few people going up for a while before Stacy piped up "We're next" to the DJ almost throwing the song book at him as she dragged Tony behind her then pushing him into the mic making Sam and Stevie laugh at her attempts to not allow him to treat her like her brothers did as the music started and he started singing 'Think of you' by Chris Young & Cassadee Pope making them all smile, Stacy sang like an angel and Tony's voice actually complemented hers, they were good together, everybody was, at the end they cheered and clapped and Stacy definitely had a smug look on her face
Mercy put her hand up to go next but someone else picked them at the post so they stood listening and rocking to the song being sung "Sam we've had Hip Hop, Reggae, Rock, Country is it alright if we do R&B old school?" she asked
"Yeah sure" he said "I could do with a guitar"
"Then I thought I'd do something with the girls so Monica can have a go"
"That's considerate" he said kissing her forehead.
Shortly after the song finished and Sam and Mercy were up "We're doing 'If I Ain't Got You' by Usher & Alicia Keys she said as they got on stage and he handed the book to the DJ as Sam nodded an okay just as the music started. People were standing around holding each other and just rocking to the song as they watched them on stage singing these heartfelt words to each other, and clapped at the end
The girls finished the singing with their rendition of 'Work from Home' by Fifth Harmony Monica took the lead afterwards they took applause and a lot more drink before suggesting they head back home almost carrying Michael and Jodice who had really come out to let their proverbial hair down "One more song" Jodice shouted running towards the DJ totally out of her face everyone relieved when the DJ started playing their song and everyone jammed till they were out the door
The following day some nursed hangovers while others did more shopping. Saturday was much the same with some fun fair activity for LJ and a quiet evening and then it was Sunday, two days to the wedding.
Sunday
"Hi Guys" Mercy squealed as the crew came through the door waiting with hugs and kisses as usual Kurt, Tina, Santana and Rachel hug on the longest, Quinn and Puck gave them a run for their money, she was pleased to see Nathan and Danielle again, Mike, Jessie and Brittany waited till the rush was over, everything was stopped when Artie rammed his wheelchair into everyone's legs, tired of waiting, Sugar following him smiling as everyone cut eyes at his chair and he smiled because he really didn't care, Sam came from the kitchen and everything went into replay
"We've been given our instructions" Kurt announced once everyone had settled down "So one hour everyone get your sweats on and we're off"
"What?" Rachel asked
"Get the old sweats on you heard" he repeated
Everyone was ready as stated and got in the transport, they got to the Zero Gravity Amusement Park and for a good four hours everyone was being amused by the extreme rides and bungee jump activities, some actually running around like school children with excitement "This is great" Mercy said to Sam as she got strapped up for her jump
"Okay next stop is purely for the little people but I'm sure you'll all enjoy it so freshen up and let's get out of here" Blaine shouted across everyone. 40 minutes later they were sitting outside Dallas Zoo, Monica, Puck, Jessie, Kurt and Devon getting more excited than anyone else for showing their little ones around. Everyone took the children on something or brought them something as they walked around having a good time and lunch
"Okay my turn I guess" Devon shouted out "Everyone, here's a list of things to see at the next venue you need to take a pic of it as proof of find and the one with the most corks up sing time on Tuesday" he finished as everyone got back in the transport. They alighted at the African American Museum
"Twist" Stevie shouted "Everyone has to find their own things but its boys against girls on this one" he finished before everyone left in search of
"Lord I'm exhausted" Marcia said holding onto Devon as they finished the 2 hour marathon around the museum
"Me too" Rose said shaking her head at Marcia in acknowledgement
"No excuses everyone needs to be ready for a good party on Tuesday loosening those joint will help" Stevie told them
"Okay it's 5.30 I guess it's my piece of the puzzle time" Puck announced "Back on the bus" he ordered as everyone piled in 20 minutes later they were at White Rock Lake an impromptu stage about 600 yards in front of them watching a group of teenagers putting on their version of Macbeth in the 21st Century having a laugh and a drink
"Are you having a good time babe?" Sam asked Mercy as they watched the show
"I'm having a great time babe"
"Note emphasis on the not being apart ever again thing" he smiled
"Okay" Brittany announced "We're making a short trip back to the ranch you'll be pleased to hear but we only have an hour to get into evening gear casual smart everyone"
"Sweet are we in the middle of a game or something?" Jodice asked Michael
"I believe we're having a Stag and Hen party Sam style babe" he replied grabbing her hand to make sure they weren't left behind "Keep up"
"Into the cars" Brittany ordered "We've got a schedule" soon they were on their way and 40 minutes later they were all getting dressed unsure what the evening was going to bring
"Okay this is definitely our bit" Marcia shouted across everyone grabbing hold of Rose
"So back in the transport" Rose added as everyone followed orders an hour later they were standing outside looking up at the descending Reunion Tower
"I thought this was the fitting place to sort of end our day as we've done a lot of reunions over the past couple of months and I wanted us to all just stop and think about that for a while before the madness tomorrow" Sam said as the tower came to a halt and the small door opened
"Surprise" Everyone shouted as Mercy looked on wondering what the actual surprise was until she noticed D'marco and Petra at the front of the crowd and started screaming as loud as everyone else turning to tap Sam in the chest for the surprise before walking towards them for a hug. Eventually the noise calmed down and Mercy went back to Sam to thank him for doing that
"Next ones for Monica" he said
"You didn't?" she asked as her hand went up to her mouth to stop her scream
"I didn't want that to take over our day so I decided to do it tonight instead"
"Hey" she said making sure she had his attention "You know I love you right?"
"Forever, that's what you promised" he replied holding his heart
"Okay so our contribution to the night" D'marco announced "Is hopefully going to bring back a memory for a certain lady happy I hope" he said smiling at Mercy as the music started, the side sliding door opened and D'marco started singing 'You're the Sweetest' by Don Campbell making Monica scream
"Mercy this cannot be your song it's my song, well our song, Luca and me" she said fanning herself before she heard a familiar voice in the Tower looking through the door to see Luca singing his heart out as she stood just looking at him. He walked up to her singing "Excuse me darling can I ask you, what's your name" as she started dancing to him, with him, for him before going to hug her sister and Sam tears in her eyes and gratefulness in her heart.
Needless to say, after the song neither of them where heard, they had a life to get back on track and he had a son to meet
They had dinner in the Tower before the evening entertainment started "Well I guess you all know this evening isn't passing without a song or two from all of us so get them ready everyone" Rachel shouted
"Okay I guess this is my cue" Stacy said "Girls here are our songs anyhow you want to do them" she said before they walked into the bar side of the Tower handing the paper to Santana
"And guys here are yours" Tina said handing them to Arite with a smile as they walked into the bar, the men huddled together almost immediately sorting themselves out and two minutes later came back with a ready
They quickly assembled and started singing their version of 'I love this life' by Lo Cash Puck, Michael, Blaine and Jessie taking the lead on the song while the girls were dancing around loving life and really getting into the party mood, the guys happy when they got woops and claps for their performance "And we didn't even try" Artie said as they left the stage
"You not singing Sam?" Jessie asked when they got back to where everyone was
"No we're saving it for Tuesday" he said looking down at a rather puzzled Mercy and smiling
"Five minutes Ladies" Devon shouted across the group
"Yep we're here" Sugar replied
"Okay yeah" Rachel said as they all dispersed and found their way to the makeshift stage telling the band their song, getting to singing their take on 'Team' by Iggy Azalea as Santana, Breanna and Jodice took the lead dancing and everything and Brittany finished it off as everyone cheered for their efforts Jodice running into Michael's arms almost disbelieving what she'd just done and laughing at the fact that she actually enjoyed it.
"You enjoying this babe?" Sam asked Mercy as she smiled and nodded a yes "There's more to come"
"Ten minutes" Jodice shouted to the guys
"You're really getting into this aren't you?" Michael asked her
"Really and the girls are just so cool" she laughed
"We can go next there's no order" Tina said as she made her way back to the stage "Put some pressure on them"
"Okay" Sugar said dragging Monica with her and all the others followed as they started in with their version of 'Me Too' by Megan Trainor as Quinn, Stacy, Rachel and Tina took the lead on it, the guys went around taking false photos of them singing, posing and just looked fly, Sam and Mercy still in their own little zone
"Okay straight back at you" Mike butted in as all Stevie, Tony rushed to the front and started singing their take on 'Can't stop the feeling' by Justin Timberlake with Artie and Kurt leading as everyone did exactly what they said and danced
"God that was fun" Mercy said as she grabbed hold of Sam "Can we do just one song?" she asked when the guys had finished
"No" he replied "We did ours on Friday we've got Tuesday all day"
"Seriously am I letting you control me right now?"
"Seriously; I'm taking control from right now Miss Jones, I promised to never leave you alone again and that specifically includes inside that head of yours" he smiled "So don't even think about it just hear it, accept it and do it" he said as Mercy turned to obviously have her say about what he just said still not knowing if he was joking or not "Kiss me" he said as she went to respond, so she did "Trust me, I love you" he said making her smile
"I love you more Sammy" she said giving him the eye
"And I know where that's going" he said looking into her want me eyes "And yes I do but I'm not going to"
There were a few more songs and lots more drinks before the night was brought to a close and everyone went back to the ranch and chatted until they were ready for bed.
"Great day Sam" his Dad shouted across the room as everyone cheered his efforts in agreement
Monday
At 9am the house was buzzing people taking about last minute shopping trips, eating breakfast and stuff, Sam had sent most of them on checking errands in preparation for the next day just to be sure things ran smoothly and after breakfast Quinn, Breanna and Jodice announced they would be in charge of the day
"Yeah we're disappearing for the rest of the morning and we'll definitely be back for dinner" Sam said looking at Mercy's puzzled face, even more so when their journey led them to their hotel room
"I thought you said we…"
"Yeah that's right" he finished for her
"So?"
"Remember I said there was stuff to be said and it was going to happen before we got married" he reminded her as the light came on for her, they got in the lift and made their way to their space "I want us to feel safe to say anything in here Mercy but only truth" he said opening the door to let her in. He got in, threw his jacket on the couch, took his shoes off, poured the wine that was waiting for them while Mercy got settled
"Okay" he said "I'll start" he looked down at his glass before taking a breath to start "I'm sorry I told the GF and your parents everything about why we split up self-harm and everything" he said to a shocked Mercy "They blamed me for everything, the GF did a public dressing down in front of HIV and Stevie and when they went to do it again I just broke and told them it wasn't my idea it was yours, to split I mean"
"I've never told a living soul about that self-harming stuff" Mercy said closing one eye "I don't think I can ever look at them the same again. I told my parents about you kissing HIV and blamed that on us splitting up too"
"That's why your Mom slapped me, she believed you" he laughed
"God how will I ever face everyone?"
"You will they love us" he replied "And HIV woman I swear to you when she kissed me before, when we were together, it meant nothing" he said with his hand on his heart as Mercy nodded acknowledgement "I went to her because obviously from that time I knew she liked me, I needed a serious distraction, I was dying and, I just grabbed for something that needed no work to it I didn't have the strength to actually put energy into a relationship you left me flat, and I still wanted you"
"That got me so mad I started sleeping with D'marco nothing meaningful just a casual thing that died after we became friends, I hoped you'd see us together all over the news and just, be jealous I guess"
"I was mad jealous when I heard you'd got married, I just asked HIV to marry me, to get you back, I was so damn mad with you" he sighed "Then I went all in Mercy I got to a point where I wasn't even thinking about you I'd turned myself off somehow and I was comfortable there for a while" he half smiled at her "And then one day out the blue Quinn asked me if I still loved you and I surprised myself by saying I'll always love Mercy she's my heart and just that second I realised you actually were and I just needed to make sure you were alright"
"I called my Mom every time I got our feeling to see if you or any of the GF had called but she'd never give me a straight answer just keep the conversation going until I said your name but, I must admit I always felt better after saying it" she smiled
"She'd do that to me too and yeah I'd feel better crafty woman" he laughed making Mercy laugh too
"I actually realised you still figured in my life when I read the article a few months back and all I could see was that you were divorced" she laughed "I actually admitted I was still in love with you to Petra and D'marco when we were having a conversation about Breanna and Stevie, I know it to be now, it's her truth but this is us so I'm telling you. She was getting all hysterical about sharing her wedding day with her unknown cousin who was marrying a white boy and I just plain up and said the guy I'm in love with is white" she smiled at him "I just stood there wondering if I'd just said that in the here and now and why. About a day later I actually said it out loud it made me cry and then I was thinking of ways to get you back because I knew there was no way you were going to break a promise" she said giving him puppy eyes "And the Luca stuff you know about" she remembered to say
"There was a moment I hated you, for not loving me enough to stay"
"There was a whole lifetime I regretting not letting you see how much I loved you" she smiled
"So everything out are we still on for getting married tomorrow?" he asked
"I've Stop trying to be someone I'm not, and now I need you to love me I'm saying saying say…" she sang out before Sam's lips covered her
"I'm being your hero babe I'm kissing away the pain" he said laughing as they came out of the kiss
"Serious" Mercy said looking at Sam "Truth pure as it comes" she smiled "I love you Sam Evans and I can't wait to be your wife"
"Ditto" he said going in for another kiss "That could go further but I want us to have a great day and night tomorrow so, I'm going to stop" he said getting up from the couch
"So hard" Mercy said as Sam looked back at her with a smirk on his face "What?" she asked smiling "Well you are" she said focusing on the bulge in his trousers
"Not fair" he said grabbing the bottle of wine and getting back to the couch
"Future talk" he said as he sat back down "Any thoughts on what kind of music you want to do when your get back into it?"
"Yeah I'm thinking about recreating the wheel that goes well in the reggae circles you know?" she told asked
"What do you mean?"
"Like taking chart music and making it into a reggae spin off but I think my twist is going to be old R&B or something it's still a thought but, I need to get something down so I can plug it" she smiled "I know what else I want to get down" going in for kisses
"Come on, let's get back it's nearly 6pm" Sam said after a long while they'd done all their talking, ignoring remarks, laughing, napped and chilled "Tomorrows theme" he said side eyeing her as they got ready to leave "I thought about our theme being like Aretha or The Carpenters you know from school and stuff but I think we sung the hell out of them then" he said as he pottered about "So then I chose Whitney for you but not her regular stuff we sung at school and Jason Mraz for me"
"Why?"
"Well Whitney for you because that was what you made me cry to and I chose Mraz for me because that was the first song I sung in your presence I know it was with Quinn and stuff but, nobody knew what was going on in my mind except maybe you, I saw that look" he laughed
"You want to be remembering your best friend" she smirked
"She was at the time, all you were doing was smiling, didn't speak at all"
"For our wedding you want to sing songs by Mraz, because you sung him first with your then girlfriend now best friend, am I right"
"Yeah right, and I get what you're trying to say but, that was then, this is now and you love me" he laughed
"Is this really the night before our wedding?"
"Yeah why?"
"Because I cannot believe you're bringing Quinn up in my face right now"
"Now I know your snapping at a fight so we can end up in bed, because you know where we are on that" he laughed grabbing for her and hugging her in "Come on lets go, I'm biting no bate Miss Jones, I admit I started it but I thought you'd see the joke" he laughed
"I did, I thought you'd join in the fight, I tried" she laughed "Tell me I tried" she said tugging his hand
"You tried" he laughed as they got in the lift to return to the Ranch, Sam's phone started ringing "It's Dad he's probably calling for us to get back" he said not bothering to answer the call
Sam drove up to the house and gasped at the sight of the car "Fuck" he said making Mercy look at him
"What's up?" she asked as Sam stopped the car and made to get out without acknowledging her question, she pulled him back "Sam" she said getting his attention "What's up?"
"The car" he said nodding in the direction of the white car on the drive "It's HIV" he said pulling away from her to get out "I need to know what the fuck she's doing here"
Mercy checked the car and saw the registration plate said CDE2016 A "Private plate" she said to herself as she got out the car "Sam, this is not going down not the day before our wedding so please play it cool no shit, I don't want vibes"
"I can't speak to her Mercy I'll kill her, I want to kill her" he said slamming the door as she got out
"I'll speak to her anything I should know?"
"Don't touch her" he said making her laugh
"I remember those instructions in another life" she said "Okay acting skills on" she said as they got to the door
There was no noise coming from anywhere considering how many people were in the house making Sam grab hold of Mercy and pull her close as they entered the kitchen to find it empty. They looked at each other knowing that was the centre of the house for their family so someone was always in there "Stay here Mercy" he said trying to let go of her hand to investigate but, she wouldn't let go "Let go" he said as Mercy shook her head indicating it wasn't going to happen. "Mercy seriously I need you to be safe, if I shout just call the police"
"No, I'm not running remember" she said refusing to let go of his hand "Call the police and then we both go in" Sam didn't have time to argue he needed to see what was going on with the family, he took his phone out and made the call.
They walked past the sitting room to find it empty and went on towards the music room where they saw movement "in here" he whispered as they stood listening to the conversation the other side of the door "There's only her there" he said calling the police again to give them up to date information
"Try again, get him on the phone" Charlie said to someone
"I need to go in my phones going to ring" he said still trying to let go a Mercy's hand looking round at her he knew that wasn't going to happen and he walked in with her saying a cheery "Hi Guys" stopping when he saw Charlie standing as all the family were sitting around on the chairs, floor, tables and benches dotted around the room "You guys alright?" he asked walking towards them Mercy attached
"About time" Charlie said as he entered the room "So you don't want to talk to me on the phone but you will talk to me Sam Evans" she turned to say
"Can you take the family to the other room please and Mom will you call the police tell them it's okay" Sam turned to say to them as they left "And we're going to talk aright" he looked at Charlie saying "About you coming up in here and terrorising my family in a minute" he said to Charlie angrily as the family left the room
"So what do you want to say?" he asked sitting on the couch with Mercy still attached
"She needs to leave" Charlie said without looking at Mercy
"Mercy stays or this conversation is over" he said, Mercy squeezed his hand before letting it go
"So the she's married thing worked for you then?" Mercy asked making Charlie look at her
"Yeah but it wasn't real so it was doomed from the start, I always knew it was you, even when I told him you were married" Charlie replied
"Thanks for the honesty" Mercy replied as Sam sat listening to the conversation "But you can forget this conversation you think you need to have with him" she said pointing at Sam "he's mine and you know there is no way I'm standing back and letting you take mine again so, anything you need to say, you say to me"
"I got him once"
"I gave him to you once, you treated him badly and that hurt me so, no more chances, you need to step off" Mercy said still cool and unphased by the situation
"You know that's not going to happen?" she asked Mercy
"I guess I know it is going to happen" she replied with a smirk on her face "Babe" she said turning to Sam "I need you to say this as clear and as loud as you possibly can, seems she needs to hear it from you" Sam looked at her blankly seemingly lost in the secretly coded conversation they were having. Mercy seeing his confusion adlibbed "She said she's going to fight to get you back" she told him
"I know Babe I'm just taking it in about the marriage thing" he replied
"Yeah I always wondered where that actually came from well now we know" Mercy replied his top lip thinning for anger he was trying to contain for all the years this woman had let him waste "You promised babe" she said feeling him tense as he looked at her for a while, before turning to Charlie
"Charlie" Sam said before he saw the others creeping in including their parents, as he got up "I wasn't honest with you in the beginning but I knew you knew I was still in love with Mercy when we got together and rebounded the hell out of it by getting married and, because I was guilty of that, I turned a blind eye to most of your behaviour when we were married. I think we can agree that having a baby for someone else while you're married is serious grounds for divorce but four pregnancies really, and then HIV what the fu…" he remembered their parents were standing there "You have Stevie to thank for you standing there today and Mercy to thank for you standing here right now" he laughed at the memory of Stevie and his Dad holding him down "Me back with you hell will have frozen over and took all the animals with it" he said looking at her with scorn "So thanks but no thanks Darling, if I never saw you again it would be too soon" he said finally sitting back down "Hope that's clear enough for you"
"Did you get all that?" Mercy asked
"He's just angry" Charlie said
"I think you need to take my word for it that this anger is going to last forever" Sam said
"Did you get that?" Mercy asked "It sounded loud and clear to me" she commented "I know Sam told you that he loved you and all that, and what we had was nothing but, it must have been something because it brought him back" she smiled "So what were you saying or was it what was I singing" Mercy asked sitting herself at the piano and singing a couple of verses and a chorus from 'Paper' by Queen Latifah while everyone danced poking fun at Charlie
"I know you just heard what I said" Mercy abruptly stopped the song to say to Charlie "This time I'm holding on way too tight and I don't care about anybody but Sam and me" she said putting her hands on her hips "So if you don't mind we have a wedding tomorrow and a family to celebrate with so" she said walking over to the door and holding it open for Charlie to walk out of, which she did
"Babe are you okay?" Sam asked as she slammed the door
"I'm fine" she replied as everyone stood around applauding her and Sam for the way they respectfully dealt with Charlie
"Okay Dinner" Rose shouted clapping her hands, after which Dan led with Rose, Devon and Marcia singing their take on'John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16' by Keith Urban which got everyone dancing "Our contribution" Rose announced at the end of it
"Can we contribute?" Petra asked as Sam nodded a yes so Jodice, Breanna, Santana and Petra got up and sung their take on 'I Rise' by Etana Mercy was the first one up dancing
"I actually miss reggae every day Sam"
"I can tell but you'll find it again I'm sure" he said hugging her as the girls sang and everyone rocked till the end before clapping
Mercy's Uncles and Aunts turned up later that evening with her cousins and some of Sam's Uncles and an Aunt providing lots more fun and song into the late evening
"Mercy you're going to bed now babe" he said smiling as she carried on rocking "Babe I'm serious" he said in her ear
"Sam I'm…"
"What did I say earlier?" he asked
"Don't even think about it just hear it, accept it and do it" she replied
"And"
"You love me" she said puffing up her face as she got up to walk away as he pulled her back down
"You didn't say goodnight" he said looking in her eyes until she gave in this time and kissed him deep "You'll be my rib tomorrow" he said making her smile, pecking her again before allowing her to get up "Mercy's saying goodnight everyone" he announced as she stood waving at everyone before leaving the room "She doesn't know her day starts at 6am she'll thank me tomorrow" he laughed once she was out of ear shot before sending her a sapp 'The real theme is anything we want it to be there was never going to be any boundaries for us, get your sing on I'm doing M J' minutes later she sent him back a sapp saying 'thank you my love' he smiled knowing she'd just discovered the diamond necklace, bracelet and ear rings he'd left dotted around her room
Sam quickly got feedback from everyone about the errands he'd sent them on that day and surmised everything was going to plan before retiring himself to bed to think about the following day he knew there would be no sleep, he didn't even try to force it but, found himself waking up somewhat rested at 5am Tuesday morning his wedding day.
The Wedding Day
"Babe" he whispered in Mercy ear "Babe get dressed we got to go somewhere"
"What? Where?" she asked still in sleep
"Come on wash your face and come on" he instructed as she went to say something else "What did I say babe"
"I'm doing it Sammy just let me wake up" which she did visited the bathroom and came out in her joggers ready for anything "Right what's up?" she asked ready to go as Sam grabbed her hand and they left the house
"Short drive" he said as they got in the car 20 minutes later they were sitting outside a Mansion in Dallas "Do you like it?" he asked "4 bedrooms 11 bathrooms 16 sqft at a snap up price of 28.5m what do you think?" he asked
"Yeah it looks nice"
"Do you want to go in have and look?"
"Yeah why not" she replied still not understanding why they would come house viewing on their wedding day
She walked in to find the most beautiful black and white hall with hints of Purple décor dotted around it, taking her breath away "Beautiful" she turned to Sam to say as he let her walk in further "What's in here" she said opening the door to a very modern sitting room all cream with splashes of purple and green, from the hall she opened another door which housed the dining room seating about 18 in total with the already place settings and serving bowls on the side, conservatory, study, music room, lounge, pool room, den, day room, internal swimming pool and spa with two bathrooms attached on either side all on the lower floors upstairs there were four double bedrooms with divider so in effect there were 8 bedrooms all with un-suite. The mature garden housed summer house, gazebo outside swimming pool with shower room and WC a large fountain set in the middle and greenhouses. Mercy cried when she finally looked at all the rooms and came back to the hall where Sam stood waiting for her "I love it babe can we have it?" she asked
"I'm so glad you said that" he said holding his chest "It's already ours" he said in surprise mode as Mercy kissed and hugged on him for a long while "Happy wedding day babe" he said when she finally let him up "So we'll be sleeping here tonight once you pick our room" he said
"You know which room is ours babe" she replied knowing he did there was only one king, king sized bed in it all the other had two beds in
"Not finished yet" he announced grabbing her hand and running back to the car, droving back towards the centre of Dallas to a little ground level building with a sold sign on it as he handed her the keys and guided her in "This is the new you babe, it's in the middle of Dallas but if you want reggae coming out of here that's what's going to come out of here" he laughed "We can try all this for a few years if it's not for us we can always move on and try somewhere new"
She opened the door to find the Mom's and Dad's standing in there "Happy wedding day" they shouted at her making her jump back into Sam's chest but she quickly smiled
"It's all ready to go baby girl" her Dad said as she looked around going from one room to the next seeing everywhere with equipment ready for the go
"It's too much" she said hugging them all together "Thank you, that seems like so little to say" she said crying into them as she spoke
"Sam brought the building we got all the equipment" Marcia added as they hugged
"I love it, Thank you babe" she went over to Sam to hug him saying
"So we have a wedding to get to" Sam said pulling out of the hug for everyone to get back in the cars and return to the ranch
When they got there everyone was not happy at Sam and Mercy sneaking off but when they saw the parent's come in too they knew it was all innocent and perked up a bit "Breakfast" Sugar shouted through the house as everyone went running towards the kitchen for food
"Please people find somewhere else to eat we can't all be in here" Tina asked as everyone left the kitchen for the sitting room as Sam Brought Mercy to the music room to sing 'The Lady in My Life' by Michael Jackson to her while they ate breakfast Mercy joining in at the bridge and they sung the rest together. After Breakfast they went out onto the patio to chill before their 11am start to get ready
Mercy lay in Sam's lap eating grapes and feeding him just being together "I want to sing Sammy" she said as he nodded a yes and she started singing 'I belong to you' by Whitney Houston everyone came in and sat around listening, Puck got his guitar and started playing while the girls jumped in and done backing bits.
"You know we belong together right?" he told her, when she finished, laughing
"Okay time to get ready guys and girls jump to it" Dan came in shouting to everyone and, they all jumped
2 hours and 17 hair dos later the women were ready for showdown and the men had been waiting for at least 30 minutes "Come on people we got to go" Quinn shouted assembling everyone in the hallway as if she wasn't one of the last down. Most of the girls came down in their variations of dresses from mini to maxi, open top to material to the neck line but all had on Purple while the guys had on Black tails with Purple ruffle ties and bowler hats Sam and Blaine being the only ones wearing white shirts as all the others wore Purple. Everyone grabbed hold of their other halves and left the house except Monica who stayed with Mercy so Luca was paired with Kurt.
Mercy came down the stairs in her white Sequel bridal dress tight on the top holding onto her curves all the way down with a bow to the left side in purple kicking off the hair do which had the same colour beading along with her shoes and the candy Sam had left her the night before and she knew she was rocking but Monica confirmed that anyway. They jumped in the car and got to the church to find only their father outside waiting
"Sam said to give you this" he said shoving his phone in her hand "And apparently I've got to step it up a notch" he laughed "That man of yours" he said shaking his head "Oh and you've got 2 minutes" he added "So come on" he said dragging her to the entrance before stopping to say "Baby Girl you look absolutely beautiful" and giving her a kiss to go with it
"Thank you Daddy" she said looking at Sam's phone 'MJ 'Hold my Hand' she read searching her mind for the song pressing Youtube to grab the beat to find he'd already set that up so she just pressed play for about a minute remembering the song before she heard it playing inside as she got to the door Sam started humming so did she. She walked into the church to see everyone standing in the large isle offering their hand as she walked down it singing with Sam making her way to him at the alter
'Hold My Hand' by Michael Jackson & Akon
Both: Uh, oh,... Uh... (oh, yeah) Sam:Yeah
Sam (Mercy): This life don't last forever (hold my hand) So tell me what we're waiting for? (hold my hand)
We're better off being together (hold my hand) being miserable alone (hold my hand)
Chorus
Both (Sam): 'Cause I been there before and you've been there before, but together we can be alright (alright, yeah)
Sam: 'Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold we hold each other 'til we see the sunlight.
Both (Sam) :So if you just hold my hand, (Baby, I promise that I'll do) all I can (Things will go better if you just)
hold my hand (Nothing can come between us if you just) hold, hold my, (hold, hold my), hold my hand, hold my hand.
Mercy (Sam) The nights are gettin' darker (darker) (hold my hand)
Sam (Mercy): And there's no peace inside (inside) (hold my hand, oh, yeah).
Both: So why make our lives harder (hold my hand) Sam: By fighting love tonight, baby?
Chorus
Both (Mercy ): 'Cause I been there before and you've been there before, but together we can be alright (alright, yeah)
Mercy : 'Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold we hold each other 'til we see the sunlight.
Both (Mercy) :So if you just hold my hand, (Baby, I promise that I'll do) all I can (Things will go better if you just)
hold my hand (Nothing can come between us if you just) hold, hold my, (hold, hold my), hold my hand, hold my hand.
[Bridge]
Sam:I can tell that you're tired of being lonely Mercy: (yeah) Mercy: Take my hand, don't let go, baby, hold me Sam:(yeah)
Sam:Come to me, let me be your one and only Mercy: (hold my hand)
Mercy: cause I can make it alright 'til the morning Sam: (hold my hand)
Sam:I can tell that you're tired of being lonely (hold my hand) Mercy: Take my hand, don't let go, baby, hold me (hold me)
Sam:Come to me, let me be your one and only (one and only)
Mercy: Cause I can make it alright 'til the morning (hold my hand)
Both (Sam): Hold my hand (yeah) Baby, I promise (hold my hand) that I'll do all I can (hold my hand)
Things will go better if you just hold my hand Nothing can come between us if you just hold, hold my, hold, hold my,
Congregation (Sam)
Hold my hand, hold my hand Hold my hand (yeah, yeah) All I can (yeah, yeah, hold my hand)
Hold my hand Nothing can come between us if you just hold, hold my, hold, hold my, hold my hand,
Sam: hold my hand.
Sam said as Mercy got to him and she grabbed his held out hand, linking fingers
The Minister said the words he needed to say and passed the proceedings on for Sam and Mercy to say their vows which of course were musical as they stood singing
"One More Chance" by Michael Jackson (Adapted)
Uh huh alright
Sam: This time gonna do my best to make it right can't go on without you by my side hold on
Mercy: Shelter come and rescue me out of this storm and out of this cold I need someone
Sam: Oh why oh why why why If you see her tell her this from me all I need is
Chorus: Congregation with Sam & Mercy (Sam &Mercy)
One more chance at love One more chance at love (One more)
One more chance at love One more chance at love (See) (One more)
One more chance at love One more chance at love (One more)
One more chance at love (Alright) One more chance at love
Mercy: Searching for that one who is going to make me whole help me make these mysteries unfold hold on
Sam: Lightning about to strike in rain only on me, hurt so bad sometimes it's hard to breathe
Mercy: Oh why why If you see him tell him this from me all I need is
Chorus
Both:And I would walk around this world to find you, and I don't care what it takes no why
I'd sail the seven seas to be near you Mercy: And if you happen to see him Sam: See tell her this from me
Both (Sam): One more chance at love (Yeah, Yeah) One more chance at love (Tell her this from me)
Chorus
Thirty more minutes and Sam and Mercy were Mr & Mrs Samuel Evans
After the ceremony they went on to the reception at a venue in Dallas centre their colour theme running through the room, as she walked in she was overcome with the thought he'd had put into it, the whole day "Its beautiful babe I'm lost for words" she said as everyone piled in to see their name 'Samcedes' in lights across the stage
"No hocking your weave today babe since we're going to be seeing your name up in lights for the rest of our lives I thought I might as well start today again" he smiled
"Still crazy Mr Evans" she laughed
"You know that's about you right?" he asked as she nodded a yes
"I'm overwhelmed" she said holding her chest
"Sing about it rib, MJ mind"
"Speechless" she said as she started singing and Blaine made for the piano at the other end of the room for everyone to hear her version of Speechless' by Michael Jackson she ended the song laying on his chest
There were speeches, cheers, laughter and crying as they cut cake, threw bouquets and took off garters, it was time for the first dance of the evening the couple got on their stage and sung their version of another MJ song
"You Are My Life" by Michael Jackson
Mercy: Once all alone I was lost in a world of strangers no one to trust on my own, I was lonely
You suddenly appeared It was cloudy before but now it's clear you took away the fear and you brought me back to the light
Chorus Both:
You are the sun you make me shine or more like the stars that twinkle at night
You are the moon that glows in my heart you're my daytime my night time my world
Sam: You're my life
Sam: Now I wake up every day with this smile upon my face no more tears, no more pain cause you love me
You help me understand that love is the answer to all that I am and I'm a better man since you taught me by sharing your life
Chorus Both: x 2
Both: You gave me strength when I wasn't strong you gave me hope when all hope is lost
You opened my eyes when I couldn't see love was always here waiting for me
Chorus Both: x 3
Mercy:You're my life
as they finished everyone clapped their song and dance. After they ate again in the evening they started the proper party vibes then the dance was stepped up a bit when Puck started off the beats, about 10 pm he announced they were leaving sung their last MJ song 'Come together' all the guys were all over it and the girls were loving it eventually Sam and Mercy finally said their good nights and escaped to their new home.
They spent two days in bed before Mercy was stir crazy to see the studio and start things up and Sam finally gave in after he tried the I speak you do thing that didn't work the afternoon they woke after their wedding night when he asked her to order the food for them twice and she didn't do it
"Babe" he said trying to get her attention
"No" she said
"What?" he'd asked
"Don't even think about it just hear it, accept it and do it your damn self and you can carry on doing it your damn self until you ask properly" she'd said
"Yeah I heard, I knew that wasn't going to last" he laughed "I enjoyed it while it did though" he finally got out
"Oh and trust me, I love you too" she said making him laugh more
So now they were in the music room having just finished breakfast at the local café because the cook hadn't started yet and, Mercy was busy jotting down some lyrics she thought she had waiting to put a beat to it. The following day they got to the studio and she went straight into the main room leaving Sam to do his thing in the other studio for about 2 hours. She came out with a new beat for her song. "This is really rough but I need you to tell me what you think as she started singing 'Send my love' by Adele
"That's a good mix of reggae, R&B and pop yeah good really good" he said
"I was thinking of getting D'marco in to do his bit in there, make it appeal more what do you think?"
"He could maybe get in on a hard core version, but that on its own sounds right to me babe"
"So you're saying a nice no then? I seriously don't want to start being someone I'm not"
"Okay no" he said smiling
"Let's hear what you've been up to then"
"Oh I did this one, one night when things got really dark for me while you were away, it's an original I might put in on my first album" he said grabbing his guitar strumming his version of 'Mercy' by Brett Young "So what do you think?"
"I think I could have easily sung that song so many times too" she smiled
"No I mean, do you have a record company, no I'm joking, I mean about starting a family?"
"Are we really talking babies already Sam?"
"I think you mentioned them too?" he smiled
"They're high on my agenda" she laughed
"Okay so, lets start on our agenda" he said grabbing hold of her, she didn't resist "I don't feel like what I just sung any more babe, but I never want to forget what it's like to be without you"
"We won't, that will keep us going" she said as he started stripping her
"Sam" she grabbed his hand whispering "Sam" she said again a bit louder to get his attention
"What?" he looked up at her asking "Your still a bear back virgin yeah?" he rolled his eyes asking with a smile on his face
"Yeah, I'm sort of scared" she giggled
"Babe your my wife, I'm your husband lets call this family time" he laughed
"Not the answer I was looking for babe, you should have said me too" she pushed him off her saying
"I was married before babe and for about 3 months I went bare back at the beginning, I'm not going to make up a lie to make you feel better" he pulled her back saying "And no we weren't trying for a baby"
"So why would you do that then?"
"Mercy, I'm stopping this conversation"
"No we're not, I don't even know where this jealous has come from, but, it's here and I need it gone" she told him as he sat on the stool with his head in his hands and his mood gone
"Mercy you knew I was married before, why has this come up now, we had a day morning before our wedding day for this shit?"
"Because my body's never been exposed before Sam" she shouted "It's bad enough that bitch is walking around with your damn name, now I have to deal with you thinking she was worthy of carrying your children" she cried
"Babe" he said getting up to comfort her "I swear, I was not thinking about babies when that happened with her. I was maybe thinking wife, safe, trying to love even, but never babies"
"I'm sorry babe, but that shit is not registering with me, I'm super pissed and I just need to be alone for a while" she told him grabbing her bag stepping away from him and leaving the studio as he watched "I'll maybe see you at home"
"Hey" he said as he turned to look at him "Be careful and you will see me at home" he let her go because even he needed to think about what he'd just said 'Why did I just lie to her like that, I was thinking settling down, trapping HIV into making this false thing we had going on become real for a reason, a baby, I couldn't feel her fucking insides I needed stimulation, Mercy was married doing whatever with her fucking husband and I knew she wanted children I was rushing to be the first so it didn't hurt so much when the news came, damn I wanted to hurt her in the worst way possible for killing me the way she did, for trapping me with that damn promise and then walking away like she didn't fucking care' "So tell her that" he told himself
"Yeah now tell me the truth" she said shocking him
"I didn't know you..."
"Just tell me the truth Sam" she rolled her eyes saying, he sat on the stool and told her everything he'd just told himself before she walked back in
"I'm sorry I guess shame stopped me from telling the truth first time round" he looked at her saying
"I understand hate Sam, I can work with that" she smiled walking towards him "Stimulation I've got that in the bag, real; you bet, and I'm walking towards you because I care" she laughed "I'm hoping you're going to hurt me" she giggled "We're going to try for a family babe and I'm scared" she hugged him saying
"Me too" he smiled into her neck
The End