Home is where the Heart is

Goodbye home

A few weeks later...

"Sam, you're home early."

"Yeah, I got off work early." He replied, his voice tired as he stepped into the smell of chicken roasting in the oven.

"Perfect, you can join us for dinner then." Mrs. Jones said. Sam took off his coat and then sat down beside Mercedes, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"How was work?" She asked.

"It was good. I actually have a few things for you guys to pay my gratitude." Everyone at the table watched as Sam pulled out an envelope.

"What's this." Her father asked.

"Open it."

When he opened it, they found a card filled with money. The card read, "Thanks for being a second family to me."

Mercedes mom read it, her eyes glossy as she stared at the once troubled boy. She smiled and gave Sam a warm hug. "Were happy to have you here. Your such a lovely boy, kind to everyone, Sam."

"I appreciate it Mrs. Jones, but I mainly stayed cause your cooking is so good," he joked as she laughed.

Her father looked at the stack of money and nodded with a smile. "This was unnecessary, but I appreciate it. You're always welcome here, this is your home too now. And your good to my little girl?"

"Yes dad," Mercedes replied in an annoyed tone.

"I love your daughter, Mr. Jones-er Fred. I would never do anything to hurt her."

Mr. Jones laughed and pulled him into a hug. "I know, Sam. Your a good person. Now let's eat."

After the sentimental gifts, they sat down and quietly ate their supper.

"I can't believe you'rere going to New York." Her mother said, finally breaking the elephant in the room. "I'm going to miss you so much, Mercedes."

Mercedes knew it was coming, but she didn't want to talk about it because it made her sad. "It's not till a couple of days, mom, but I'm going to miss you guys too."

Her father agreed." You're going to be a singer! I am so proud of my girl."

"And I hope you're going to get in." Her mother said to Sam. He had applied to a college in New York, but he was still waiting for the letter of acceptance.

"I hope so too." He said sadly. He thought about being apart from Mercedes, and that didn't settle well in his stomach. Mercedes could tell what Sam was thinking and put a hand over his.  He felt her hand securely over his and was hopeful he would be able to reach out and touch it whenever he wanted after graduation.

"You will," Mercedes said hopefully. "You will."

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No other sound in the house was present, except for the sound of their lips crashing against one another. Mercedes room seemed like a good idea to finish their last piece of homework in, but Sam and she got a little distracted and never ended up finishing...or starting. Too busy to notice the door was opening, they continued kissing.

"Oh...I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt or anything I thought you were studying."

Caught off guard, Mercedes looked to her dad and froze. She then flipped through her book and picked up her pencil. "That's, exactly what we were doing."

"Yeah we totally were but then-we'll then I got distracted and well um,"

Mercedes gave Sam a look, "I think you should stop talking now."

Sam nodded his head and looked down, "Good idea."

"Can you just please knock next time, dad."

Her father laughed. "Sure thing, anyway Sam, something came in the mail for you."

Sam looked up and gulped. "Already?"

Her father nodded with a smile and then headed down the stairs. "I'll leave you two be,"

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Sam's palms grew sweaty while a few butterflies flew around in his stomach. His whole future relied on the piece of paper in front of him.

"I'm so nervous." He said. Mercedes rubbed his back to hopefully soothe the anxiety.

"Just take a deep breath." She said, although Mercedes was nervous, possibly more so than Sam.

"Can you open it for me?" He asked.

"Sure thing." She took it with shaky hands but held it together for Sam. "Whatever happens, we will always be together."

"Of course." Sam agreed.

"Ok," Mercedes said. She ripped open the envelope and silently read through the letter while Sam watched in anticipation. Sam was trying to read her expression, but she stayed blank.

"Please, just tell me." He said, the look on her face was too neutral and he needed an answer. Good or bad was better than the unknown.

Mercedes gently put down the letter and unleashed his future."You got in!"

"I got in?" He asked surprised as if he felt he wasn't good enough to. She nodded hugely.

"I got in!" certainty overtook him and joy was revealed. He picked up Mercedes and spun her around.

"You got in!" She yelled while laughing over Sam surprisingly sweeping her off her feet.

While putting her down, he said, "I love you."

Mercedes, a little dizzy but dead serious replied, "I love you too."  They then shared a deep kiss that lasted for a small moment, only because they were so happy.

"We're going to New York together," Mercedes said after pulling away. Sam put a hand on her waist and placed another kiss on her lips.

"We're going to New York," He whispered back in utter glee.

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I hope you enjoyed!!!❤️
I will be continuing this story where they are in New York together so get excited for the next chapter, and the one of their lives.