The Model & The Singer

Chapter 16

A/N: The song Mercedes is singing, I wrote.

Rachel glanced in Sam's green eyes and saw emptiness mixed with irritation. She huffed a breath before she spoke. "I'm here because we used to date and I was invited before." Sam stepped up to her and shook his head. "Keywords used to date." He told her. "As in, now we no longer date you aren't invited to any of my family functions. And you can't just invite yourself over my parents' home when you feel like it."

"Well, Santana and Brittany are here." Rachel said, whining lightly. Sam closed his eyes and sighed. "San has been my best friend since we were little. And she was my best friend before I met you and after. She'll always be my best friend. And her family is automatically apart of my family. Including, her wife, Brittany." He told her before he opened his eyes again. "Once again, they were invited and you weren't. My sister and brother sent out invites to everyone here but you."

Rachel closed in and made sure her face was inches away from his. "I doubt she was invited." She stated, jerking her thumb over in Mercedes' direction. "That's because I could invite someone and I invited her. She's my friend too. While you're a pain in my neck." Sam said to her in a low tone.

The two stared off at each other when Santana came from their right and Stevie came from their left. "What's up you two?" Santana asked them both but looked at Rachel. "Sammy, come sit with us while Mercedes sings a song," Stevie told Sam while he cut Rachel a look also.

The young woman noticed the evil eye stare she received from Santana and Stevie. She stepped away and back off while Stevie took his big brother's hand and led him away. "Berry, if I find out you're trying to worm your slimy way back into Sam's life," Santana paused to make sure Rachel looked her way. "I will cut you off at the knees. Comprende?"

Rachel rolled eyes before Santana reached from behind and yanked on the end of her curls. "I said, understand?" She said. "Ow." She whispered. "I understand. I got it." Satisfied, Santana smiled and smoothed the back of Rachel's hair. "Good. While you're here, I'll be keeping an eye on you." She said before she walked away from where Rachel stood.

"Okay, everyone!" Stevie said, gaining everyone's attention."We are gonna hear Miss Mercedes Jones sing to us. Then we eat." He said with a smile. Everyone clapped while Mercedes walked up to where Stevie just stood. She waited for him to sit in between his sister and brother while everyone stopped cheering.

"Thank you, everyone." Mercedes began. "This song is not only for the birthday twins but for their big brother. And the nice people I met, thanks to him." Everyone quieted down when Mercedes opened her mouth and began to sing a ballad.

"Wonderful one, you made me whole. Wonderful one, you're bright and bold. Wonderful one, can't stop thinking about you. And all the amazing things you can do. Like shining in the sky like that twinkling little star. Or being as beautiful as butterflies dancing with fireflies in a big, glass jar."

They were all mesmerized except Rachel Berry. She was focused on Stevie and Stacey staring in awe at Mercedes Jones. She then noticed Sam kept a straight face as he watched.

"You brought something wonderful and new into my life. I'll always be grateful. I'll always be true. Because that something wonderful you gave me. The one wonderful thing I have is you. Is you. Is youuuu!"She sang, hitting the high notes before softly singing. "My wonderful one, thank you."


Soon everyone stood up and cheered loudly before Dwight brought the food out and yelled. "Everyone, the food's ready!" They all rushed towards the table and started to grab a plate. Sam walked up to Mercedes who brought up the rear. "How hungry are you?" He asked her. Mercedes glanced over at him before she answered. "Hungry, but it can wait if you have something important to ask me." She told him, glancing at him.


"I do. Have something to ask." Sam said with a straight face. "Come on, let's take a walk." He told her, leading her further in the back yard. Mercedes let him lead the way as they moved away from the party. Once they were a good distance from everyone, Sam stopped in front of a huge swing set that was built with a big tree-house for Stevie and Stacey when they were little. It was one of the first things Sam bought for his siblings when he got the house for his family.

Mercedes glanced up and smiled. "Wow. Sam, did this come with the house?" She asked staring in awe. "Nope. I bought the materials and had a small crew come to help dad and I build it." Sam said, smiling glancing up at the tree house. "Well, Stevie and Stacey made sure they helped. Dad designed it with Stevie's and Stacey's vision. I just helped build it and paid for it. By the summer, our first year here, it was complete. It's not only sturdy for kids who grow up but their older brother and parents."

Sam noticed the look upon Mercedes' face and moved closer. "Wanna go up and inside?" She turned from staring at the tree house to staring at Sam in shock. "Uh, no." She said with a terrified look. "I may step in and fall through." She joked. Sam cut her a look before taking her hand in his. "Woman, please." He said, rolling his eyes and leading her up the stairs. She looked around as they made their way up top. When they hit the top stair, he helped her onto the deck and made her way to the door. It was an average sized door in the middle of windows on both sides that had screens and could be opened for fresh air.

Three other trees with treehouses around this tree house, connected by rope ladders or you could climb stairs as the main treehouse had. Sam let her hand go and went to the door to open it for her. She glanced at a piece of plastic patio furniture on the deck before walking inside to see bean bag chairs and inflatable sofa bed with a coffee table and Roku Projector with computer speakers to give that movie theater sound.

When they walked back out he sat on one of the patio chairs and stared out at everyone still partying. Mercedes noticed his quiet demeanor and moved to sit one of the other chairs across from. "Mercedes, how are you?" He asked her after a few minutes of silence. Mercedes stared at Sam, who was now looking at her, while he waited for her to answer. "You mean about my breakdown?" She replied.

"I mean everything. That. Work. Life in general." Sam said, turning to face her. It was now Mercedes' glance at the birthday party still in full swing. "Well, work is good. This new album is selling thanks to everyone and thanks to you. The video is a hit. My career has hit a new high. It's how I can afford to rent a plane if I chose to go somewhere to get away. I got a lot of yes people that cater to my every need. Then I have the people who really know me and love me and tell me no when I need to hear it. They are my family. But I miss having blood family." She said, looking back at him as tears started to fall fast. "Sam, I would give it all up in a heartbeat if I could have my mama and daddy back."

Sam reached over the table between them and grabbed both of her hands and held them. "I would have gone to college and get a regular career and be boring. Boring but happy because my mama and daddy would have been able to see those ordinary milestones of mine that they missed." She told him, shaking her head. "What about Chris?" He asked of her brother.

"Chris and I never had the best relationship. And that was even when they were alive. He stopped being that golden only child. He was turned into the older, responsible son. He was supposed to set an example and be there for his baby sister. But instead, look at me as a burden to him. I was someone who took the spotlight from him and he made sure that I never forgot that. Mama and daddy once told me that I was a happy accident. Then Chris would tell me happy or not, I was still an accident. I wasn't supposed to be here."

Sam's green eyes went dark as he grew angry with what he just learned. "What did you do?" He asked her. "Nothing." Mercedes stated. "I never got a chance. Finn was over there that day to pick up Kurt when Chris said it." She said, remembering a day when she was a little girl.

"Chris snickered before turning to see Finn standing there in my doorway. Kurt was hugging me after what Chris told us. Finn was angry and he punched Chris in the nose. Made it bleed and his nose swelled up. In fact, his nose was reset because of it. Mama and daddy found out what Chris said and punished him. Finn was grounded because his dad and mom didn't want him to go around hitting anyone." She said before cracking a smile. "Although, I learned he was coming downstairs and heard my dad and his dad privately praise him for standing up for me. I think even my parents realized how bad Chris was getting."

Sam silently cheered Finn for defending Mercedes and mentally knew he would have done the same thing. The right thing to do or not. "I just wanted you to know Mercedes," He began. "That you have more people in your corner. And any time you need the Evans family, the Lopez family, or even me." He told her, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. "We'll be there. Call or come over. You have an open invitation. And that's just not from me. But my family, Santana, and Brittany have each told me this on separate occasions."

Mercedes freed one of her hands from Sam's grasp to wipe the tears from her eyes before smiling. "Thank you, Sam. I'll keep that in mind." She said before standing up. "I think I need to go wash my face." Sam stood up also and continue to still hold on to her hand. "Come on, there's a guest bathroom on the first floor of the house. Down from washroom on your left across from the living room." He stated, leading her back down the stairs.

"Thanks for the song, you sang to us," Sam told her. "You're welcome." She told him. "I don't remember who originally sings that song," Sam said. When they walked away from the treehouse, Mercedes glanced at Sam. "That's because no one sings it but me. I just wrote it a day ago for Stacey, Stevie, and you." She said, causing Sam to stop walking for a minute. Mercedes lightly jerked back some, since Sam was still holding her hand. She smiled at him as he continued to look surprised. The two of them looked at each other for a few minutes before Mercedes gently tugged on his hand so they could continue walking.

When they walked up to where the party was, Stacey and Stevie called for Sam. "Sammy, we're about to open your presents!" The twins yelled out in unison. Mercedes smiled. "Go ahead. I'm a big girl. I can find the bathroom on my own."

He reluctantly let go of her hand and headed over to his sister and brother. Mercedes smiled while sniffing back the remaining tears, not seeing someone watch her every move. Mercedes found the guest bathroom and washed her face before feeling her phone vibrate. She pulled it out of her front pocket and saw it was a message from her brother. Mercedes, I know about the kid and my side piece. Stay out of my business. No, better yet, you want to stick your nose in my business. Fine. When I get to LA, you and I will discuss the business of this kid. You want her in your life and I don't give a damn. So, we'll talk about prices soon. Until then.

Mercedes' brown eyes stared from the phone to the mirror in front of her as she began to cry again. It took another ten minutes to calm down so she could wash her face again. She took some tissue and left out the bathroom. She needed to talk to Sam. He was the only one nearby to help her not breakdown again. When she got to kitchen standing there staring was Rachel Berry.

"Hello, Rachel Berry, right?" Mercedes said, trying to smile. "I love your work and-." Rachel walked up to Mercedes, cutting her off. "Whatever you're planning and scheming it won't work." She told Mercedes. Mercedes narrowed her eyes and gave Rachel a confused look. "What are you talking about?" She asked the young woman.

"This innocent act you're giving Sam. He's smarter than that." Rachel told her. "He's a great guy and you're just taking advantage of him. Why? So, you can get in his pants and date him?" Mercedes was appalled and shook her head. "No! Sam and I are friends. Nothing more. He's just been a good friend to me." Mercedes said. "Well, friend, let me make it clear. He's my ex and I was his first in everything. And you never forget your first." Rachel said in a snide tone. "Right?" Mercedes nodded. "So, if you need to lean a shoulder or cry to someone how about you call your ex and stop hanging around mine!"


Mercedes was at a loss for words. She was too emotional to deal with Rachel Berry and whatever craziness she was talking about. She just met this woman and wasn't in the mood. She shook her head at everything swimming around her and decided to get out of here. "Can you tell Stacey and Stevie and Sam I have to go? And thank their parents for me." Mercedes told her.

Rachel placed a hand on her hip and scoffed. "I'll tell Stacey and Stevie you said bye," Rachel replied before leading her to the front door and walking her out. Mercedes saw the car they arrived in and got in. "Please, take me back to the airport." She told the driver.

Rachel watched the car leave before walking inside, satisfied. She headed back to the kitchen and out the back door to where everyone was still partying. She walked up to where Santana and Brittany sat with Sam, his parents, Stacey and Stevie. "Where's Mercedes?" Stacey said. "We want to open her gifts now."

"She's probably in the bathroom still," Sam said. "I'll go get her." He started to get up when Rachel stepped up. "No need. She's gone."Rachel said with a smug look. Everyone turned their heads and glanced at Rachel in shock. "What!" They all yelled at the same time while staring at her. Rachel looked surprised at everyone's reactions before she repeated what she said. "She's gone. She's headed back home. She's on her way to the airport."

"What did you do?" Santana said, jumping up from her seat to get in Rachel's face. "We talked and she saw she needed to leave," Rachel told them. Sam jumped up from his seat. Followed by Stacey and Stevie. Sam stared Rachel in the eyes and slowly shook his head. "I can't believe you." He muttered, getting angry.

"Party's over!" Stevie said. "What?" Stacey said. "I said, the party's over. I don't want to party anymore. Thanks, Rachel for messing up our birthday." Stevie said as he walked off towards the house. "Mama, daddy make sure everyone takes home their gift bags and something to eat," Stacey said, before running after her twin.

"Rachel," Dwight began. "Please be gone when we get back." Mary looked at Rachel with disgust before she spoke. "And if my son didn't make it clear enough, let me repeat it. You are no longer invited to our home or around our family." She walked off with all the party guests leaving Brittany, Santana, and Sam to face with Rachel.