The Road Ahead Of Us

Chapter 16

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019

Mercedes walked into her and Chord's room that afternoon to see him laying on his stomach on their bed, the TV on, but he wasn't paying attention. He glanced up at her and cracked a smile when she came in. She sat beside him in silence for a few minutes.

"What's wrong? And don't say nothing because I know you." He sighed and sat up, looking at her, then down at his hands. He mumbled something.

"What? I didn't hear you."

"I'm so confused." He said louder.

"About what?" She asked nervously, afraid he was getting second thoughts on marrying her.

"The whole family situation."He said."Like, the people who raised me, and then my real family. I don't know if I should invite them to the bridal shower or the wedding. Or if you or my mom, dad, or Sam are uncomfortable having them here."

"Oh, Chordie. From the few times I've met them, they're great people. I would love to have them here. And I'm sure that your parents and Sam would want them to come too. I mean, you and Sam grew up together until you were 5, and Paul, Julie, Mary, and Dwight always stayed in touch, and I'm pretty sure Dwight and Paul text each other all the time. They're practically family." He nodded.

"Still. I just don't know what to do. I don't know how the girls and Nash would react." Mercedes laughed."What?"

"You didn't see that Hot Chelle Rae interview? Nash was talking about you."

"He was? What'd he say?"

"He said that if he didn't get an invite to the wedding, he'd invite himself."Chord laughed."Then he said something about your sisters wanting to come visit you but didn't know how you would react." He didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"I don't know yet. I want to talk to my parents and Sam before anything else."He said. She nodded."I'm gonna go take a shower. I worked out earlier and didn't take a shower, so I stink."

"Yeah, you are a little raunchy." She said, standing up. He laughed and slapped her butt.

"Wait a second, have you lost some weight?" He asked. She grinned proudly and nodded.

"30 pounds." She said.

"Awesome! The only reason I'm asking is because you've been wearing baggy clothes and I couldn't tell."He said, hugging her. She was wearing a T-shirt and pants that were fitting on her."You know you're beautiful either way, right?"She blushed, but smiled.

Thanks. I wanted to lose a few pounds before the wedding."She said.

"I'm proud of you baby." He kissed her. She kissed him back.

"Go take a shower." She said, pulling away. He laughed and did as he was told. Mercedes went downstairs where Sam, Mary, and Dwight were in the living room watching TV. She sat down beside Sam and put her feet in his lap. He didn't even say anything about it.

"Where's Brenda?" She asked.

"Upstairs in Stacy's room doing her toenails for her."He answered. She nodded."Where's Chord?"

"Shower." Sam nodded."Can I talk to you guys about something?" She asked. Dwight picked the remote up and muted the TV.

"What's up?" Sam asked. Once all of their attention was on her she said,

"Chord is confused and worried about the bridal shower and wedding because of his 'other family'." She started.

"Why?"

"He doesn't know if they'll want to even come to either one, or if you guys are comfortable with them coming."

"Are you serious?" Sam asked. She nodded.