Oh How She Shines
by Binkee
Okay, so, you know, Sam isn't mine. Neither is Tabby Cat. Steph is. And so, I am making no money offa this, so don't sue me for the money I don't have. Thank you!
"Samuel Guthrie! If you do not get outta that bed in about three seconds Ah'm goin' to let the twins have at you!" Sam's eyes snapped open just in time to see the blue carpet before hitting it.
"Ugh, Steph! Do you really find it necessary to get me that way?" Sam inquired, flipping over and looking up at his wife of six months, and his unborn child of sixteen weeks. Stephanie smiled smugly and turned out of the room.. Groaning, Sam climbed to his feet as he did every morning for the past three months. I swear that girl is either here to love me or kill me.
Stretching and yawning, Sam walked towards the kitchen of his newly remodeled house. Where is wife had gotten back to her task of making breakfast, he stopped in the doorway, and leaned on it. A smile able to melt stone crossed his lips as he watched his beautiful wife busy herself over the stove. Her dirty blond hair tangled together in a black clasp, her green eyes bright with the optimism, which Sam had come to love about her.
"What are you looking at?" Stephanie asked placing her hands on what was left of her hips. Sam shook his head and sat down at the kitchen table. Stephanie rolled her eyes in response and turned her back towards him once again.. Sam's smile never faded as he watched with one hand propped beneath his chin, as Stephanie scurried around the kitchen looking for her intended ingredients.
Turning around, Stephanie realized she had been the object of his attention, she blushed with a shy smile. Taking a seat opposite of Sam, she placed a mug of coffee in front of him, and lightly sipped on hers. Trying in every way from smiling as he stared in awe continuously at her.
"Ah love you." Sam finally announced after a while. Stephanie glanced at him through the corner of her eye. Sam sipped his coffee, staring downward at the wooden kitchen table. His ever present smile on his features, and Stephanie, as always, desperately trying to hide hers. Peace and love filled both of them, their words locked away with their shy smiles.
"Ah know you do, Sam. And Ah wouldn't want it any other way." Stephanie whispered before getting up to take the bread out of the oven.
Looking out of the side windows to the rich green pastures lying out before him, Sam took pride in calling it his father's "hand-me-down"; as brides took pride by wearing their mother's dress on their wedding day.
Sam always had a lingering wonder of what his father would say about his boy now. What would his Daddy think of his bride? Would he approve of her? Glancing once more at Stephanie, Sam knew the answer to the question. If Sam's Daddy could see the love which Sam had for her, his Daddy would have approved of her the instant that Stephanie's veil was raised.
"Sam, hello, Sam?" Stephanie's voice broke Sam's train of thought. She shook her head and rolled her eyes playfully, as she placed Sam's plate in front of him. "What's your schedule got on it for today?" Stephanie asked taking her seat again.
"Nothin' much, just goin' to town to pick up some things to get that fence up over on the east pasture. Wanna come?"
"Gee, tempting." Stephanie replied sarcastically. " But Ah think Ah'll stay here and watch the grass grow instead."
"A simple no would've done the trick." Sam expressed. They ate their breakfast quietly, stealing glances of one another every so often. No words needed between them, as their eyes would meet. Shy smiles and light blushing would make the other laugh a little. Sam finished his breakfast first, scraping the bits of egg of into the kitchen sink. Stephanie followed the suit and they were soon finished without a syllable uttered.
"Promise to be careful." Stephanie Guthrie whispered into Sam's ear, as they held each other in a tight embrace.
"Geez girl, Ah've been down this road a hundred times, on foot, on bike, and in car. This time ain't going to be a bit more painful than the next. " Sam pulled her away and traced the line of her jaw with his thumb, before he gently leant down and kissed her. "God's not going to call me Home today, at least Ah hope not."
"Me neither. 'Cause only He would know what Ah'd do if Ah lost you before you see your child." Stephanie pressed Sam's fingers against her belly. Smiling once more, he kissed her softly on the cheek before driving away in his old blue ford pick up.
Sam hulled the last of his equipment into the back of his truck and slammed the tail gate up. Wiping away the droplets of sweat sticking on his brow, Sam tugged off his gloves and threw them into the open passenger window. His sites were set on the small diner of the city, and all he wanted at this moment was something cold and wet.
Sitting in the back in a small two person table taking refreshing gulps of his coke, Sam looked out the dusty windows of the small cafe. People he knew, which was the whole town, smiled and greeted him. Wondering for the most part, how Stephanie and the baby was 'developing.' Sam replied with his uncanny friendliness and natural manners. He was ready to pay when a semi-familiar blond strolled through the doors.
Sam's heart stopped it's beating as the short blond walked up to him and embraced him. Sam's eyes were large blue spheres as the woman pulled away and stared up at him through sunglasses, his voice apparently had faded away and his cheek's rose to a deep crimson.
"Samuel Guthrie! It's been forever! " She announced gripping Sam by his wrist and dragging him back to the table he had recently vacated. The tiny blond woman was dressed in a dark green business blazer, with matching skirt and a white blouse. Her hair was short, the roots of her natural brunette poking out. Sam amazingly found his seat, but still lacked the intelligence to shut his mouth.
"Awh, Ah'm sorry, but do Ah know you ma'am?" Sam asked after a short silence.
"'Course you do! It's me; " She chirped happily pulling down her shades, "Tabitha Smith."
If Sam's heart had started to beat once again, it stopped in it's tracks when the name was spoken. He smiled the best he could to hide his surprise and shock.
Tabitha was only seventeen when the New Mutants were officially disbanded, and he was only eighteen, and truly convinced they were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
Sam's mouth went dry, as the memories flooded his mind. They had planned the wedding, but not the date. And then when Sam's mama had taken ill, he left to be with her. While taking care of his rapidly fading mother, he had meet Stephanie, who had just moved in the house next door from Tennessee. Sam felt guilty when he started to look forward to seeing her everyday.
"Tabitha, how have ya been?" Sam grasped at any coherent thought that promised to make sense. Tabitha smiled, and folded her arms in front of her.
"Doing great! Ever since college I've been touring the country looking for all our old friends. You were the first of course." Tabitha stated with an innocent smile.
"Why me?" Sam knew it was a stupid question to ask, but maybe it was for a different reason than he feared. She couldn't possibly still be in love with me? --- Listen to you Guthrie, you take to much pride in yourself, she's moved on. You've moved on. Just don't bring it up and everything's going to be fine. And pretty soon you'll be home with Stephanie.
"I don't know why you, maybe because you were always the leader type. Or the big brother of the group---or because once upon a time, you loved me." Their eyes briefly meet, then Tabitha broke the gaze by fluttering her eyes down.
"Oh." Was the only thing Sam could manage to say. Sam's uneasiness steadily increased as the silence persisted. Sam cleared his throat before speaking, "Are you still working for Xavier?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah, I think it's the benefits that made me stay. You know the great 'if we don't kill you today, we'll get you tomorrow' insurance there." They both let out a short laugh before letting the uncomfortable silence between them return.
"Do you ever miss it? The team I mean." Tabitha questioned staring intently into Sam's face. His blond hair now fell in front of his heavenly blue eyes, which were etched with pain and joy.
"No." Sam returned sternly.
Tabitha was visibly taken back by the answer, "How can you say that so strong? I mean there's got to be something that you miss."
"Ah don't miss a thing about havin' to risk my life day in day out, just wonderin' if Ah'll see the next sunrise. Having to worry about things that no teenager should have to ever even imagine, like how many people do Ah have to fight today? How many kids is goin' to loss a Daddy because of a blood war? You asked me if Ah missed it and Ah say no. There's not a thing that Ah could ever miss about leaving a life the exact way the world thinks Ah should. In fear and fighting." Sam snapped.
"You didn't always think that." Tabitha whispered sliding the salt shaker from one hand to another. "You use to believe in what we fought for. You were the strongest." She looked up into his eyes once again.
"Ah was foolish. " Sam instructed in the same hushed voice Tabitha found necessary to use.
Sam knew the question was lingering on her tongue, just waiting to jump off and cause the conversation to get even more confusing than it had already was. Focusing on the table, Sam waited for her to dig up the courage to ask him, all the while his mind raced with the sweet memories of his wife and the bittersweet memories of Tabitha.
"Why did you leave?" Tabitha blurted out.
"Because our team had been disbanded. It seemed kind of pointless to stay around the mansion if Ah wasn't fightin' anything. And you know my mama was sick then." And God gave me someone to fill that gaping hole that He'd put in my heart when Mama finally died. Christ gave me Steph. My Steph.
"That's not what I meant." Tabitha added placing her hand on top of his. "Why'd you leave me?"
"Tabitha, Ah-Ah never left you." Sam answered losing his voice once again..
"But you never came back either."
"Ah couldn't go back. Not to you, not the mansion. Ah got away from the distorted web and got my life back. Ah was alive again. And Ah knew Ah couldn't get dragged down in the fight to save the world any longer. And Tabitha, you weren't part of it. You weren't in this life, not for me to love. " Sam saw the moment that her heart hit the floor, Tabitha's eyes threaten to shed tears.
Tabitha clenched her teeth tightly together to prevent her lower lip from trembling. Her eyes were hot and stung with a need to cry. A heavy lump tightened in her throat. She had spent the last of the three months searching her old flame down, to try to reclaim him. But Sam was firmly decided against her, against what she fought for. Against there ever being a 'them' again.
"But I loved you."
"No, you were to much in love with yourself. Ah was just along for the ride." Tabitha's eyes widen at his words, whatever small speck of her hope to win him back was shattered as he spoke. "Ah'll tell you what muh Daddy told me, 'When you look deep inside the eyes of a woman in love, you can see the man that you want to be.' You didn't have that. Stephanie did."
Tabitha remained silent.
"Ah-Ah've got to get home. Steph's expectin' me." Sam whispered releasing his hand from her gentle touch. He threw the money on the counter before exiting the building, making a beeline for his truck. Slamming the door, Sam revved up the old engine and sped down the streets. Sam didn't slow or look back on till his wheels touched the dusty dirt road to his house.
Dear God, it's not suppose to hurt this much, I'm not suppose to remember her. Stephanie, she's my reason this time for living. God, then why does it hurt so much to leave Tabitha for the second time in my life? Sam's memories were vividly portrayed with in his mind.
Sam remembered how he held Tabitha, what it felt like to have her in his arms. He was there any time she needed him. Tabitha would always love to hear about there future. Tabitha asked him to do a lot he realized. When her dad had become ill with pneumonia both she and Sam had drove out to see him. But it was never the same way with Sam's needs.
Sam remembered why he had decided to not include Tabitha Smith in his new life. She wasn't there for him. Tabitha flatly refused to go all the way to Kentucky so Sam could visit his dying mother. Tabitha would never say the words "I love you" only "You know I do." After Sam had said it first. I always had to say it first...
Sam's heart fluttered to life as a stray thought of who he was going home to raced across his mind.
"Steph..." Stephanie was there when Sam arrived home for the first time to see his mama. She was always there, helping out where ever she could, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Sam's younger siblings. Sam found a heart much like his own with in her breast. A kind and gentle soul that could become agitated without a moments warning.
A simple, down to earth country raised girl. A girl Sam didn't have to worry over about being kidnapped or killed for just being born different. Stephanie was what his life needed, what his heart wanted. The first time Sam brushed his lips gently over Stephanie's all the guilt had washed out of him about leaving Tabitha.
Tabitha. What should he tell his wife about his old flame? Turning down the long gravel covered driveway; Sam mind throbbed with guilt and confusion. He could see Stephanie fussing over the temperamental stove. Her hair now brushed and fixed in a small ponytail that touched her neck. Her faded blue jeans defined the large stomach she had acquired and one of Sam's light purple T-shirt draped over her stomach.
Sam turned off his truck and leaned his hands and chin on the top of his steering wheel watching his bride. She's so beautiful. Sam couldn't break his gaze from the kitchen window. He watched breathlessly, amazed God would put such an angel on this earth, and a nobody, Samuel Z. Guthrie, would have the blissful task of loving her forever.
In the back of Sam's brain, a doubting question arose. Did I ever think of Tabitha this way? Did I ever look at her the same way I do Stephanie? Did Tab return that look, like Steph does? Opening the truck door, Sam got out and slammed it behind him. To mixed up in the past, present and future.. He was oblivious to the fact that his feet carried him right to the porch steps, and up to the door.
Sam looked towards the sky. Watching the small twinkling grains of sand amongst the ebony background. A gentle wind touched Sam's face, looking down at the pastures his Daddy left him, and saw them dance in the breeze. Twirling and mixing in green and gold, Sam held that picture in his mind before opening the door heading toward the kitchen, but the scenic picture of the perfect mix of sky and earth stayed on his mind.
"Stephanie." Sam whispered an instant before he rushed over an embraced her tightly.
Shocked was a pale imitation of what Stephanie was feeling as her husband's strong arms wrapped around her half dissolved waist. Sam' s face tucked at the curve of her neck, his warm breath crossing her throat. "Sam, are you okay?" She inquired. Sam pulled her tighter towards him; Stephanie put her arms around Sam's shoulders and neck, squeezing him tightly.
"Oh, God. " Sam grasped her tighter his eyes were coated with tears, he blinked and they fell unto her shoulder.
"Sam what's wrong?" Stephanie asked pulling them a part. Sam's blue eyes were lined with red, and two teardrops slowly made paths down his cheek.
"Ah met someone Ah use to know. Someone from my past---an old flame." Sam whispered holding Stephanie's face in his hands, not allowing her to stay more then a foot away.
"Oh." Worried and scared what words could possible come next; Sam was her world, he and his-- their baby.
"She was the one Ah left when Ah came here. And Ah never thought Ah'd see her face to face ever again. But Ah did, in Danny's Diner, she was there. As real as she ever was. And she brought up a question about her and me. " Stephanie wanted to stop him from talking, she attempted to step away but he refused to let her. "Ah want you to listen to me girl, please. " Stephanie nodded for him to continue.
"She touched muh hand when she asked me that question, and -- Ah told you about muh time in New York, about the private school Ah attended. But there's something else Ah never told you. Ah'm a mutant." Stephanie gasped in surprise. "Now please listen, Ah was code named "Cannonball", and Boom Boom was a part of my team Ah was affiliated with, and Ah fell in love with her. Or at least what Ah thought was love. We planned to be married in the summer that Ah came back here."
"But she didn't come with me. And after Ah found you, Ah forgot about Tabitha. Ah knew what her and me had was a fling, and that was it. No more, no less. But don't be angry with me please Steph. Ah stayed here for you. But she came for me. "
"Your a-a mutant?" Stephanie's voice was ragged as the question slipped through her lips.</p> <p>"Yes. Ah am. And if your going to ask why Ah never told you, it's because Ah didn't want you to see me for what Ah was but who Ah was."
Retaining his wrist, she pushed Sam's hands off of her, and stepped away, never breaking eye contact with Sam. Stephanie felt betrayed, and hurt. How could he doubt me? Why would I care? Why would I care! She ran from the kitchen, tears slowly slipping down her tanned face. She had all the surprises she could handle. Stephanie finally stopped running when she had reached the bedroom, banging and locking the door. She slid down it's wooden back, till her knees pressed against her stomach, her head in her hands, and the tears falling like rain.
In the kitchen, Sam stood silent, looking at the doorway Stephanie had left him through. For once he imagined what Tabitha felt when he had left her never to return. Sam looked down and away from the door to his brown leather boots. Knowing he had screwed up yet again with the women in his life.
There's always one way to clear my mind. Sam thought, looking out towards the dark sky. Trudging to the kitchen door, Sam opened it and looked over his shoulder in hopes Stephanie might be looking back.
But when he did, she wasn't there.
After zipping up his coat to the collar, Sam blasted into the night's sky. Slowly at first, allowing the wind to brush it's frozen fingers through his blond hair, and gently caress his face. Blasting up, and zigzagging, before dropping down to the earth again. Sam reached out and touched the tall grass as it whipped his fingers.
Over and over Sam proceeded with the same course. Flying safely over his fields and home, leaving the problems he created on the ground.
It felt as if a thousand years had passed, instead of five, since he had blasted across the sky, leaving his signature of a gaze of yellow and gold hues where ever he went. But I can't stay here forever.
Unknown to Sam, he had an admirer. Looking up from their bedroom window, Stephanie watched him with fascination dancing within her tearstained eyes. Sniffling back her left over tears, she saw him slow down as he inclined in the sky, and dropped doubling his speed. Her fingers brushed over her stomach, as her eyes stayed fixated on her lover.
What about the baby? Will it be like him? What if it's born where anyone can know this baby is completely different? What then? Looking down where her fingers now rested, Stephanie sighed. Sam needs me now. We both need him. Don't we my baby? He is your father. He is a mutant. He is still Sam. Isn't he?
Is there something else he's not telling me? Does he have that mutant disease? Oh God, do I have it know? Does this child have it? Stephanie's eyes become large, as the uncertain future collected more possibilities within her mind. The Devil played on the worst part of the chances within her distressed brain, twirling it around his finger, causing her to angst over the guessing.
Nevertheless, a small voice whispered in the back of Stephanie's mind What if not..? Three little words which tailgated every question her mind coiled up. What if Sam has the disease? But the little whispered softly, What if not?
Stephanie gasped as Sam blasted close to the window. Gently pressing her fingertips to the cold glass, she gazed at Sam as he soared. Got to say something to him I guess. Isn't nice of keep either of us on the hook. Stephanie once again sighed and climbed to her feet.
By quickly glancing at the clock, Stephanie was surprised to see that two and a half hours had flittered away without noticing. She yawned, and unlocked the door, setting the scene of the soon to be conversation in her mind.
Sam's eyes were tightly shut as he rocketed up into the stars, it felt so good to let loose with his powers. He hated hiding it from his wife, for over five years, but he didn't want to loose her because of a simple genetic flux in his DNA. Sam's mind became weighed down by the thoughts of Stephanie's reaction when ever she was going to talk to him again, and if ever she was going to talk to him again.
Haven given up on egging on Stephanie's doubts, the Devil moved on to Sam's tangled web of worries. Is Steph going to leave or stay? Is she going to flip out or understand? What am I going to do if she chooses to leave me? What if she doesn't ever come back, or let me see my baby or her ever again? Oh Lord. How would I get through?
Sam opened his eyes as he glided by the house for the second time. Glancing ever so quickly into the bedroom, seeing the light from the hallway, Sam's heart palpitated with worry.
Stooping to the level of the back porch, a pair of green eyes bore into him. Stephanie had her hands firmly planted on her hips as Sam forced himself to mentally stop.
Be strong, be strong. Stephanie's mind whispered into fear. Be strong, be--- God he looks like an angel.
Sam's blast field encased his lower body with the bright colors of a living fire, reaching up to his arms, and fanning out passing his fingertips by a few inches. His blond locks hide his dark blue eyes as the shadows covered his face, causing a sinister look upon him.
A devil in an angel's soul. Slipped through Stephanie's mind as the angelic figure of her husband floated in mid air. Her breath was taken away by his estranged beauty.
"Have you--reached a verdict?" Sam whispered in his honey sweet deep voice, forcing a small smile. Stephanie shook her head, and pulled her gaze from his face. "That's a no?" Sam asked, his voice becoming lower and quieter.
"That's not what Ah meant." Stephanie replied solemnly lifted her eyes to search Sam's. They stood there for a brief moment, one looking at another. Not knowing weather to talk, or to let the silence speak for them.
From her hips, Stephanie arms folded under her stomach as she looked away with tears reappearing in her eyes. She covered her face with her hands as the tears fell, not caring how her stubborn bangs had fallen, hiding the rest of her face from him.
Upon seeing this, Sam's heart melted, bowing his head in a muted pain. He was making her cry by telling her the truth about himself. About being a mutant.
Sam had made her cry once before. When he proposed two sweet, short years ago. She cried for ten minutes shaking her head yes, and holding on to his arm for dear life. All through her first phase of the question, he could only smile.
Gingerly, Sam reached out his hand and brushed the hair back from her face, gently tucking it behind her ear.
Feeling the warm fingers touch her flesh sent butterflies through her veins. Her heart threatened to stop as the same hand carefully took a hold of hers and guided them away from her face. She allowed him to come closer. Putting his hands at either side of the curve of her jaw, rubbing his thumbs against the sides of her face. One of Sam's strong hands traced Stephanie's jaw line to her chin, and coaxed her chin up, until her eyes fell upon his.
Sam could have said anything, to stay, to die or to cry, and at that moment Stephanie would have complied eagerly to his demand. His eyes spook volumes even if his lips never formed a word. A fountain of strength resurfaced in her body as she raised her arms, and encircled Sam's wrist with her own long fingers.
She's either respondin' or she's goin' to throw me off again. God Steph, please, don't turn me away.
Not completely sure what to do next, Stephanie held tightly to the wrist placed under her chin, but flipped the other, leaning down, she kissed his wrist. A simple touch of her lips to his skin intoxicated her with his scent. All Stephanie wanted was for him to touch her, kiss her, hold her; it didn't matter what he was. She just loved him and wanted him.
"A-Ah love you so much." Stephanie stuttered placing Sam's hand over her heart. Stephanie's eyes mirroring her minds wants and needs of him.
Sam swallowed hard, his hand roaming from her chest to the back of Stephanie's neck; his other hand drifted in the same direction. Leaning mere inches from her face, their breath mingled for a fleeting instant.
"Ah love you girl." Sam whispered into her mouth before connecting their lips in a soft kiss. Pushing her entire body closer to his Stephanie wrapped her arms around his chest, he dropped the blast field and stood on the steps in front of her, their mouths never coming apart.
When they finally pulled apart, Stephanie looked into his eyes, and leaned her head against Sam's chest. His hands falling to her back as he urged her to hold him tighter. Stephanie's face nuzzled in the curve of Sam's neck, precisely what Sam had done before he broke the news to her.
"Will you tell me about it?"
"About what?" Sam questioned into her berry smelling hair.
"'Bout everything that went on while you where in New York at that fancy school. Will you tell me?"
"Yes."
"Ah don't want any more secrets between us ever again. Is there anything you haven't told me Sam? Anything at all?" She pleaded pulling away, to look him in the eyes.
"Ah don't think there's much left to tell." Sam whispered.
For the first time in four months, Sam Guthrie woke up to the sound of his alarm clock buzzing. Slamming his fist into the annoying device, groggily he sat up in bed, and pushed his legs over the side.
"Steph?" Sam wiped the sleep from his eyes, as he left his room, and headed down stairs to the kitchen. "Crap!" Sam shouted rushing over to the stove, where a skillet gave off a steady stream of black smoke. Grabbing the coffeepot, Sam drowned the flames with the hot substance.
"STEPH!" Sam screamed out again, a bit more frantic. In his heart, he knew Stephanie was never that forgetful; she'd throw a fit if Sam ever did something as reckless and leaving something cooking with out supervision.
God, what if something happened to her? Sam searched the house, iterating his wife's name a hundred times, every time it built up into more panic.
Stephanie was no where to be found in the house. Panicked and worried, Sam ran out of the house, screaming out for her.
"STEPHANIE! PLEASE!" Sam called out in a desperate voice. Fearful tears slipped from his eyes. He ran a trembling hand through his tangled blond hair, a migraine had formed through his search, and Sam felt much like passing out.
Staggering, and weak kneed Sam forced himself back into the house. Dried tears stayed attached to Sam's pale face. He's heart leapt when he saw the object of his search standing on the back porch.
"STEPHANIE!" Sam screamed, running up to her. Her green eyes where cold enough to make him stop in his motions.
"Why Sam?" The words came from her mouth, but it wasn't in her normal warm and tender voice. She looked down at him; Sam had one foot resting on the step and the other on the ground.
"Why what?" Sam's heart tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me? Ah know it's been a month, but this," Stephanie said pressing the sides of her large stomach. "This is a lifetime. Why didn't you tell me muh baby had the possibility of not being a normal baby? Why didn't you tell me that the baby's Daddy used ta fight for the world with his own powers? Ah want ta know what's going ta happen when this, our baby is born."
"Ah want ta know what is goin' ta happen once it leaves muh womb. Ah want ta know if muh baby is goin' to be a mutant. Ah want to know if Ah'll have to sleep with a gun under muh pillow for the rest of muh life jus' to make sure that no hate group decides to kill our child. Ah want to know if our kid will have ta be sent ta New York jus' so it can get an education, jus' so it can feel normal. Ah want to know Sam, most of all, if it'll be so far away from me and you if it is a mutant that it won't recognize us."
"Ah-Ah don't know, Steph." Sam admitted, bowing his head.
"An' neither do Ah, Sam. But Ah want ta. Ah'm scared." Stephanie looked away, walking and sitting down in the porch swing, placing her hands over her face, allowing her elbows to press into her knees.
"Ah am too." Sam sat down beside his wife, brushing a piece of her misplaced hair out of her face. "Ah remember how it was for me when Ah went ta Xavier's. Ah was scared outta my wits, didn't know nothin' about those yankee traditions." Stephanie laughed a little, Sam smiled and took her hand in his.
"But Ah didn't love anyone here any less. And if our baby is more special than others, then God willin', we'll be here for it. To protect to teach. Ah promise Ah will never do anything that would hurt our relationship with our baby."
"Your as good as gold Sam Guthrie." Stephanie confessed meekly.
"Gold's prettier than this old boy." She began to laugh in spite of the tears, which rolled down her tan face. Sam reached out, and without hesitation, Stephanie eagerly accepted the embrace.