The Model & The Singer

Chapter 15

Sam left Mercedes for a few hours to go to his place and pack. By the time he finished, he heard honking from the front of his apartment building. Sam went to the window and opened up the curtain. He could see a private car with Santana hanging out the window. "Sam, hurry up!" She yelled and waved at him. "We're ready to go!"

He moved the curtain back before he grabbed his bags and keys then headed out the door. He was in the middle of locking the door when someone was walking up. "Mr. Evans?" A gentleman in a gray suit asked. "Yes?" Sam said. "I'm your driver to the airport. Mrs. Lopez, her wife, and Ms. Jones are waiting for you." The man stated.

"Okay," Sam stated. "I'll take these for you." The driver said. "Thanks," Sam replied before they both carried his bags out to the car. The two men with ease placed the luggage into the trunk of the blue SUV before Sam went to the back passenger door and got in.

"What are you three doing here?" Sam asked them with a smile. "I thought I was going to go back to Mercedes' place then we take a taxi and meet you two at the airport." He said to Santana and Brittany.

"Mercedes thought it was a better idea if she rented a car and driver and we all go to the airport together. Especially since she has a perfect way for us to head back to Lima." Santana said sitting back. Sam glanced over Santana and Brittany to look at Mercedes. "What do you have planned?" He asked her. "A way to get there without the hassle." She told him with a shy smile.


"Thanks for the ride, Mercedes," Sam said, next to Mercedes while they rode on a private plane to their destination. "Yes, this is the life," Santana added before sipping champagne and biting a chocolate covered strawberry. "This is the best." Brittany agreed while sitting next to her wife and across from Sam and Mercedes. The flight attendant brought Brittany a double cheeseburger and fries with ketchup and mayo on the side for dipping.

Santana shook her head, looking at her wife pick up the massive burger and take a huge bite out of it. Mercedes giggled before she looked at Brittany. "You are so welcome. You have more than just yourself to feed."

"Well, we thank you again," Brittany said, taking a chunk out of the burger again. Santana stroked Brittany's hair while she glanced at Sam and Mercedes. "Do your parents know Mercedes is coming?" She asked. Sam lightly shrugged, speaking. "They suggested it and hoped I would bring her."

Mercedes shook her head. "No, they don't know. They asked Brittany to ask me, but with all that has been going on they understood that I had a lot on my plate." She explained. "So, this is not only going to be a surprise for Stacey and Stevie but for your parents."

Stacey walked over towards her twin brother and wondered what he was thinking. While she had a look of disappointment, he had a look of disgust. They had wished that their big brother, Santana, and Brittany had made it for their birthday. She understood that they were important people and had to work. After all, Sam being a famous model made sure they had a nice home that was theirs. All paid up. No more trying to rent or make ends meet, like their daddy would tell their mama.

The Evans family never had to want for anything. And their daddy worked because he wanted. Their mama even got a chance to do her favorite hobbies. She had her a big fruit and veggie garden as well as flowers against the fence. All around it, in fact, making the yard look like it had a beautiful, colorful border.

They had great food every night and it was never wasted. They know how that feels. To never have food and not sure if they had a place to live. When they were toddlers and Sam was just in elementary school. Their dad had to be a man and think of his family instead of being prideful. He took a job doing daily construction work while their mom worked at a fast food restaurant. And since they were a family that was still what the people in suits would call them below poverty income level, the family were eligible for public housing and that's where they met the Lopez family. Maribel Lopez. Her mother, Alma Lopez. And Maribel's daughter, Santana.

Santana became Sam's friend turned into a best friend when one day she tried to make fun of his lips. And instead of crying, like most kids did when Santana made fun of them, he laughed. The more she said the more he laughed until he laughed so hard he could breathe. She panicked and called for her mom and his mom. Sam explained that she made him laughed. It made both women laugh and they introduced each other and became fast friends.

Soon, the Lopez family and the Evans family forever became close. When Sam became a model and made money, he instantly had Santana become his manager and agent. And they made sure to get their families out of the decent looking public housing neighborhood of Lima Heights Adjacent. They moved the families next to door to each other in an upper-middle class neighborhood twenty miles away from Toledo.

When the party was forty minutes in, there was a knock at the door. Stacey and Stevie rushed to the door, hoping it was their big brother and longtime family friends, Santana and Brittany. They couldn't wait to see how big Brittany was with the baby. But the twins stopped in their tracks when their mom opened the door and greeted Rachel Berry.

Stevie glanced at his sister and had a look that remained on his face the entire time she had been there. "Steven! Stacey!" Rachel greeted them with an overly sweet tone. "Happy birthday to you!" She sang to them. "I have gifts for you and wanted to sing something."

"Uh, thank you," Stacey said, speaking for them both. Stevie remained quiet while staring at the gift. They both glanced towards Rachel heading to greet their dad, who was grilling outside. Before Stevie could say a word, their mom walked up and placed a loving hand on each of their shoulders. "Stevie. Stacey. If you have nothing nice to say, just stay silent." Mary told them.

The twins glanced up at their mom before Stevie opened his mouth to talk. "Can I say one thing then be silent?" He asked her. Mary fought the smile upon her lips before she nodded. "I'll be good, mama. But if Sammy were here all bets would be off." Mary couldn't help but laugh softly at her youngest son's statement. "Noted." Was all she could say.

Stacey came back from her thoughts and watched her twin brother continued to look annoyed at Rachel stealing their time to shine at their own birthday party. "Come on, everyone!" Dwight said as he and Mary brought out the huge cake all lit up. "It's time to sing happy birthday!"

Everyone started to sing to Stacey and Stevie while they walked up to the main table. They stood in front of the cake once their parents put it down as everyone finished singing. Stevie glanced at his sister when one of their friends and one of their classmates yelled out at the same time. "Make a wish!" Together they both closed their eyes before silently making the same wish.

They opened their eyes and blew out their candles together. Everyone cheered when a familiar voice cheered the loudest. "Yes! My baby brother and sister are now officially the big thirteen!" Stacey and Stevie stared at one another before turning to see Sam there in a pair of jeans, red tennis shoes, and a red flash logo t-shirt. He flashed a smile at them before they screamed. "Sammy!" They said, running towards him. He picked them both up in a big bear hug, causing the teens to giggle.

"Sammy, you came!" Stacey said with tears in her eyes. Sam set them both down on their feet before he wiped her eyes. "Of course." He told her sister. "I have never missed your birthday. Why start now?" Stevie looked at Sam. "I knew it! But Sammy, did you invite her?" He asked her.

Sam looked over to where Stevie's eyes were staring. His green eyes went wide while he stood straight. "Rachel? No. I did invite someone else, though." He spoke, trying to keep his anger in check. "Who is it Sammy?" Stacey asked.

Sam looked at his sister before smiling. "Okay, now!" He yelled out. Stacey and Stevie looked at the back door opening up to see his parents walk out with gifts with Santana and Brittany close behind, holding some more gifts. "Tana! Britt!" Stacey and Stevie screamed with joy before running up to the women to hug them.

"And before you get to your gifts, eating, and having fun." He said, pausing before he walked to the back door. "I have one more person for you to meet." He told them before he opened the door. Out walked Mercedes dressed in a cute, casual outfit as she opened her mouth to sing. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Stevie and happy birthday to Stacey! Wishing a happy birthday to the both of you!" She sang the last line in a soulful tone, hitting a high note that caused Rachel to narrow her eyes and cross her arms. Everyone else started to scream and cheer, clapping loudly.

Mercedes walked up to where Sam stood with Stacey and Stevie. "Happy birthday, Stacey. Happy birthday, Stevie." She told them both, smiling at them. Stacey and Stevie simply stared in awe. "Y-you're Mercedes Jones!" Stevie said to her. "Yeah, I am." Mercedes replied, giggling. "Excuse my brother, Miss Jones," Stacey said before elbowing Stevie in the side. "I'm a big fan of yours. One of my friends from school got me into your music two years ago. And Stevie became a fan from hearing me play your songs so much."

"Wow! Really?" She said, looking from the twins to Sam. He shrugged at her with a surprised look. "Thank you, so much!" Mercedes said to them. "Can you sing for us?" Stevie asked as he took her left hand. "I want you to meet my friend, who got me into your music!" Stacey told her, taking her right hand.

Mercedes laughed hard at the fact they both were trying to take her in two different directions. "Wait! What about your food and gifts?" She asked them. Stevie made a face before he spoke. "That can wait. You're more important!" "Wait, Stevie," Stacey said. "What if Miss Jones is just here as a guest. She may be here for Sammy."

Stevie's face fell. He didn't think that. Still holding her hand, Stevie glanced at his big brother. "Sammy, is Miss Jones for you or for us?" Sam was taken aback by what his brother asked. The innocent question seemed a bit dangerous to answer. Even out loud to himself. He looked at Mercedes who was still smiling. She looked so happy and full of life.

He knew that not only his siblings needed this but she needed it too. "She's for you." Sam finally answered. "But be careful. She's my new friend and we brought her here to have fun." The twins then looked back at Mercedes. "Okay, we go meet Stacey's friend first then I will sing to you." She told them, causing them to cheer and lead her away from Sam.

Sam happily watched the sight before him when he heard an angry whisper from behind. "I can't believe you brought her here!" He turned and was face to face with Rachel. "Why wouldn't I?" He replied. "She's my friend." Sam crossed his arms and narrowed his green eyes. "A better question would be, why are you here?"