A/N: THIS STORY HAS STRONG MENTIONS OF SAMCEDES...its a good story...read it if you want too

~Chapter 1~

"Okay, so emergency numbers and addresses are on the fridge and Sam should be home around eleven."

I nodded watching Mrs. Evans rush about her kitchen plastering different numbers and little reminders around the house. I scooted out of her way shifting to the side watching her bustle about before taking her lunch-bag from the fridge.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate you being available at the last minute!"

"It's no trouble at all."

I smiled easily to the matriarch of the Evans Family. Mary Evans was this medium height woman with a small frame and sweet but easily flustered smile. She kept her sandy blonde hair in a tight top-knot bun and her make-up simple and clean. Her family consisted of fraternal twins; nine year old Steven and Stacy, her husband Dwight and her greek Adonis look-a-like of a son Sam. They had just moved into our small community of condominiums about two months ago and I lived a few houses away from theirs. Every now and then she would ask me to babysit and I would happily agree. Not only where her twins fun-loving and adorable but it also gave me a small chance of checking out Sam.

How could I explain what Sam Evans was? Or least of all what he did to me at our first meeting...

I was walking up from my other summer job, working at the complex's pool noticing two large U-Haul trucks loading stuff into the old Jefferson condo. I noticed two young kids playing in the yard with an older figure with sandy blonde hair.

"Mercy!" The little girl shouted causing the older figure to turn around quickly.

He was grinning from ear to ear before his expression faded into a weaker version of the previous. He stared at me and nodded as I gazed open mouthed at his appearance. What I noticed first were his piercing green eyes and the way his mid-length hair ruffled slightly in the warm breeze. His face to mouth ratio was a little off, but in a cute way; and his body type was a little fuller than I was used to seeing...especially in my neighborhood. Senior citizens and newlywed couples anxious to start their own families were abundant in the area; extremely hot teenagers were difficult to come by...

It was Mrs. Evans' rambling that brought me back to the present...

"It is trouble!" She amended. "But I need these extra shifts at the hospital and Phil is working at the factory and Sam is out making deliveries."

Mrs. Evans had gotten a job working as a nurse at the local hospital in the Emergency Room which sometimes required late or overnight shifts. Mr. Evans worked at the steel factory in the next town over, while Sam delivered pizza's from Montobello's Italian Restaurant.

"God is truly incredible for allowing you to be available in my time of need!" Mrs. Evans giggled a little. "Especially on a Friday night! I hope this didn't ruin any of your plans-"

"Just a date with Ben & Jerry's" I teased. "Seriously...Its no trouble."

"Are you sure dear? Maybe I could work it so-"

"C'mon Mrs. E! I love babysitting Stace and Stevie; they keep me company. Especially when I have shifts at the pool."

"Thanks again" she smiled sincere. "I promise as soon as Sam is home you can take off" She promised hurrying to the hallway to get her coat: I didn't let her see, but my mood deflated a smidge. "Stevie! Stacey! I'm leaving for work!"

In no time at all two semi-identical looking kids were rushing down the steps to kiss their mother goodbye.

"Jen's babysitting?" Stevie asked noticing me in the kitchen. "Score!" He said running to hug me.

"What's up lil man?" I squeezed him back easily. "You're totally gonna get beat in Mortal Kombat!"

"As if!" He said pulling away from the embrace. "I'll cream you just like last time!"

"Good evening Princess" I smiled big before bowing deeply.

"Good evening Queen Jennifer" She grinned just as big before stooping into a curtsey. We both busted out in giggles afterwards.

Mrs. Evans was still bustling around the house looking for more things to remind me with. "Everything seems to be in order, and if you need me for anything just ask for me at the information desk. And don't forget to-"

"Mrs. Evans?" I began smiling. "Breathe." She let out a giant gust of air before breaking into a real smile. "We'll be fine.

"Alright! Alright! I'm going!" She huffed grabbing her keys and bag, opening the front door and exiting the house.

I locked the door before making my way back to the kitchen where Stacey and Stevie were sitting patiently on stools waiting for me. They looked so sad until I made a funny face at them that had them in giggles. They had to be some of the cutest kids I had ever seen. They each had the same shade of blue eyes and chubby pouty cheeks perfect for pinching. Stevie unlike his sister had a mop of bouncy honey brown curls that swished in front of his face all of the time. Stacey had the same colored hair but it was long and pin-straight that she usually kept in one large braid.

"What's with the long faces?" I asked leaning on the counter so I could be eye-level to them.

"We were just thinking..." Stevie began.

"Uh-oh" I teased. "Is that ever good with you two?"

"You just remind us a lot of our friend back home" Stacey confessed. "Mercedes."

"Oh...you know someone who's just as fun as me?" I said stepping behind them before tickling each one.

"No!" They shrieked together surrendering.

"But you look a little like her." Stacey sighed. "And you sing to us like she used too."

"Yeah but Jen beats her at video games" Stevie said nudging his sister. "Mercy never liked them."

"Let's talk about something more fun!" I said changing the subject easily.

"Like what?" Stacey asked.

"Like..." I began. "What you two are going to make me for dinner?"

"Shouldn't we be asking you that?" Stevie challenged scrunching up his face. "You're the babysitter!"

"I was just kidding! Don't I always cook when I'm here?" I scrunched up my face mocking him. "But what should I make?"

Stacey hopped off of the stool and ran to the cupboard pulling out a box. "BROWNIES!" she shouted.

I looked at her lovingly before shaking my head. "How about an actual meal?"

"Please Jen! You're brownies are just so yummy...extra gooey and warm" She said slowly and dreamily.

"Yeah! They pull apart...so... slowly" Stevie exaggerated. "Even Sammy says they're good, and before we left Ohio he said that he'd never eat another brownie not made by Mercy! He broke a vow!"

I smiled hopeful. "He really did say that?"

I was putty in their hands, especially after saying that Sam enjoyed them too. But I couldn't help it! Sam was this nice gorgeous guy and I wanted to get to know him. Didn't someone say that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach?

"Fine, we'll have the brownies for desert" I said totally caving in. "But what should I make for dinner?"

Stevie rushed to the fridge before pulling out a package of meat. "Mom took this out for dinner, she just didn't get to make it yet."

"So do you guys want burgers or tacos?" I asked staring at the hamburger meat.

"Tacos!" Stacey said with a Spanish accent.

"Burgers!" Stevie challenged glaring at his twin.

They each began marching around the kitchen chanting what they wanted as I rolled my eyes deciding.

"Hamburger Helper!" I cheered and their faces mirrored disgust. "What's wrong with Hamburger Helper?"

"It doesn't help" Stevie laughed. "It's still awful!"

"Are you kidding?! I love Cheeseburger Macaroni" I defended. "Well I can't make two dishes...so you guys will have to pick."

The siblings stared at each other walking in a slight circle. Watching them felt like watching a shoot-out in the old West. On the count of three they drew their hands as Stevie threw Rock while Stacey threw Paper.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Stacey squealed as Stevie made a face. "Tacos come to me yay! Tacos come to me yay!" She sang happily around her brother.

I shook my head and laughed preparing the ingredients to make tacos. "Go wash your hands you two, so you can help."

They both rushed to the bathroom as I continued clearing space for us to cook. I turned the radio on and began washing my hands in the kitchen sink as Twist and Shout came on the radio station. I took the packaged meat and put it in a bowl before dancing my way over to the cabinet to get a large saucepan. The twins came out, sleeves pushed up and ready to work as they dug their hands into the meat. I guided them through singing how to season the meat as I danced wackily around the space. The music changed to I Want You To Want Me and I began placing the meat into the saucepan. The three of us sang and danced together as the meat sizzled on a medium heat.

"I want you to want me! I need you to need me!" I sang into the spoon as the children laughed. Thinking that they were laughing at me I began doing even sillier things at the stove even sinking to my knees at the "I'm begging you to beg me" and when I got to the
"I'd love for you to love me" part I turned around to see why they were so hysterical.

I nearly lost my shit. Sam was standing in the door way in his pizza delivery outfit; A fitted white tee that had the word 'Montobello's' em-blazed in cursive across his chest and a pair of jeans. He wore a hat backwards allowing his sandy blonde hair to spew out in different directions. He looked so good doing absolutely nothing and I swear if he wasn't a complete witness to my concert of shame I would've started drooling right on the spot. I gazed into his face and his entire persona seemed brighter from laughter as he stood arms crossed as if inspecting the situation. His lips were tucked in to keep from smiling but I could tell he was fighting a losing battle as soon as his eye crinkling smile etched slowly across his face. I looked at him half-embarrassed half-defiant.

I began shrugging my shoulders and babbling. "I make no apologies...it's-"

"Cheap Trick" he smiled. "It happens."

"Exactly" I said smiling easily before pursing my lips. "You're mom said that you weren't coming in until eleven."

"I'm not!" He said quick but standing in the kitchen he proved himself wrong. "Well I am, but-I mean like-"

Even his stuttering was adorable. He took in a deep breath before beginning again.

"I can't stay, I just came to check on the twins" he finished. "You two okay?"

Stacey rolled her eyes while Stevie answered. "Duh! We're making tacos."

"Tacos huh?" Sam said. "Sounds like fun."

"It will be if I don't burn the meat!" I exclaimed rushing over to stir the meat in the saucepan.

"Guess what Sammy!" Stacey squealed in excitement. "Jen's making brownies!"

"No Way! I mean...that's cool" Sam recovered; I had my back to him as I continued to stir but I could've sworn that he was probably blushing. "Make sure you save me a few cause last time I only got one."

"I'll make more!" I shouted; and in exactly three seconds I wanted to crawl away from the three of them. I closed my eyes silently cursing myself. I couldn't face Sam I could already hear the kids giggling and I wasn't at all prepared for Sam's intense stare.

"Uh...thanks" he chuckled. "Well since everyone is okay, I'm gonna get back to work. See you guys later!"

"Bye Sammy" Stacey practically sang as she hugged his waist.

"Later Sam!" Stevie shouted in his direction.

"Bye" I said weakly but he didn't hear me; he was already jogging back to his car.

I let out a huge gust of air. How much of a lame-ass could I be!


Sam's POV

I jogged up the steps to hear the twins laughing uncontrollably to a girl singing Cheap Trick's I Want You To Want Me. I opened the door slowly and crept into the kitchen to see Jen our neighbor and babysitter doing wacky dances over by the stove. The twins looked at me bright-eyed but I quickly put a finger to my mouth signaling them to be quiet. I was curious...I wanted to see how far this girl was willing to go to entertain a couple of kids. Stevie and Stacey would tell me all of the time how hilarious she was but I didn't believe it. Every time I saw her she was always quiet and polite. Sometimes I would try and talk to her but she would just give me a small smile, answer my questions and be on her way. I don't know maybe the reason why she's so unresponsive to me is because of our first meeting. I didn't mean to give her an death glare but when Stacey called her "Mercy" my heart leaped out and swallowed me whole. They didn't look like twins but they had strong similarities to my Mercedes. The same wonderful body type, curvy in all the right places and similar features. Full lips, dark brown eyes and long dark wavy hair; and this smooth creamy cocoa brown skin that their bodies had been dipped into. It really was an honest mistake; from far away Jen could've been my Mercedes. But I was thankful for the ways they were different too; I could focus on Jen instead of constantly thinking of Mercedes. Unlike Mercedes, Jen wasn't a diva type. She seemed to lack that confidence or that demand for constant attention. And unlike Mercedes, she obviously wasn't afraid to make a fool of herself; she was practically rolling around on my kitchen floor now.

"I'd love for you to love me!" She sang turning around to point to the twins but seeing my face totally shut her up.

I bit my lips hard to keep from busting out in laughter. Her facial expression was priceless! It was totally embarrassed but on the same time I could tell that she wanted to break out into a smile. She was waiting for my reaction and I wasn't quite sure I could give her one. I really wanted to laugh but I didn't want to make her feel more embarrassed; she was mortified enough as it was.

"I make no apologies" she almost laughed shrugging her shoulders. "It's-"

"Cheap Trick" I finished for her and her eyes grew bigger before relaxing into their normal shape.

"Exactly" she smiled and I felt my stomach flutter slightly. I noticed her smile; it fit her face perfectly. Not to wide, not to toothy and not practiced either. It seemed effortless and genuine.

Get a grip Sam! She's talking to you!

"I'm sorry what?" I asked pulling myself out of the trans.

"You're mom?" She hedged. "She said you wouldn't be back until eleven?"

"I'm not!" I said quickly but the confused look on her face made me loose my train of thought. "Well I am but I'm like- Like I am! But I'm not! But I'm here...aparently?" I said continuing to stutter.

An amused expression replaced the confused one. Why was she so adorable? Her heart-shaped face with chubby cheeks I took in a deep breath before talking again.

"I can't stay, I just came to check on the twins." Coherent! Yes! Good job me! "You two okay?"

Stacey and Stevie mirrored the same look of annoyance before Stevie answered.

"Duh! We're making tacos."

"Tacos huh? Sounds like fun."

I wanted to slap myself for that. Since when were tacos fun! She probably thinks I'm the biggest dork.

"It will be if I don't burn the meat!" She exclaimed rushing back to the stove.

She cut the fire low and began stirring the meat. I was able to really appreciate her from behind. This girl's curves were just a crime. I had never been a butt man until Mercedes had shown me the light, and Jen's was just so round and plump.

"Guess what Sammy!" Stacey said tugging on my arm. "Jen's making brownies!"

"No way! I mean...that's cool" I recovered feeling my face growing a little warm.

Not the brownies! Anything but the brownies. It totally reminded me of the short lived days when Mercedes would have me over her house. She'd spend hours trying to bake wonderful things that never came out so great. I'd watch her follow the directions to a 'T' and her creations would be wonderful for the first thirty seconds out from the oven before turning into hard confection boulders. It wasn't until I showed her how I liked to eat her brownie batter; slowly licking and sucking it off her face, that she gave up the whole cooking thing. But Jen's? Her brownies tasted like home. Soft and chewy and somehow warm hours after they were removed from the oven. They smelled heavenly and I could feel my mouth beginning to water in anticipation.

"Make sure you save me a few, because last time I only got one-"

"I'll make more!" She shouted startling the three of us; Stevie and Stacey began laughing but I couldn't help but smile at her back.

"Uh...Thanks" I said still smiling. "Well since everyone is okay, I'm gonna get back to work. See you guys later!"

"Bye Sammy!" Stacey said wrapping her tiny hands around my waist.

"Later Sam!" Stevie called after me.

"Bye Jen" I began waiting for a response before letting myself out.

I was practically running back to my car when I thought I heard the faintest "Bye."


~Chapter 2~

The children and I were sleeping on the couch when I heard the keys wiggle in the door. I stirred slightly trying not to jostle the sleeping Stevie and Stacey, who had each claimed a part of my body for fair sleeping grounds. Sam walked in the kitchen flicking on a small light looking exhausted. He took off his cap trudging over to the living room to find me squashed in between his two siblings. He looked at me and smiled as I gave him a look.

"A little help please?" I hissed quietly as he came over and scooped up the nearest kid, Stacey.

I did the same following him upstairs but splitting up to go to Stevie and Sam's bedroom. I tucked him in gently brushing Stevie's curls out from his face and he blinked his eyes sleepily.

"Sing me song please?" Stevie asked adorably yawning.

"No" I laughed quietly pulling the covers up before kissing his forehead. "Go back to sleep"

"Please" he yawned again. "Just one song."

"But if I sing to you and not to Stacey-"

"Sammy always sings to Stacey" he argued sleepily. "So you sing to me okay?"

I sighed sitting on the edge of his bed before singing softly.

Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars,

Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars.

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby kiss me

Fill my heart with song and let me sing forever more,

You are all I long for all I worship and adore,

In other words, please be true

In other words, I love you~

I ended the song with a smile as I watched Stevie snore. I slid off the bed slowly trying not to shake it much before turning around to see Sam leaning in the door frame.

"You're just catching all of my performances today aren't you" I teased squeezing myself past him to walk down the stairs. I heard him following me down as I entered the kitchen. "Okay so, dinner is still on the stove in case you're hungry. And your brownies are over there in that dish." I reached for my keys and cell phone before walking to the door. "I think that covers everything."

I watched Sam walk over to the dish taking two brownies before popping one into his mouth. He offered me the other but I shook my head no telling him that I had already had three.

"They are so good though" Sam complimented. "How can you resist your own cooking?"

I smiled watching him eat it hungrily. "Next time I'll have to bake you something special."

"Deal" he grinned revealing chocolate stained teeth. I giggled a bit before he realized why. "Sorry" he apologized.

"It's fine, it happens" I smiled bigger. "I should go."

He nodded. "Thanks again."

"Yeah, anytime." I walked slowly towards the door praying to God to give me a reason to stay a second or two longer.

"Wait up a sec!" Sam said and I spun around to face him. "Your dvd!"

"Oh."

I said totally deflated as I marched to the television and dvd player console. The machine popped out my tape easily and I placed it in the carton box.

"The Princess Bride?" Sam said with wonder. "I haven't seen that movie in ages."

"Yeah it's one of my favorites" I admitted. "I could leave it here and you could watch it."

"No it's okay" he answered shyly as I stuffed it a little harder in my bag.

"Alright..I'm gonna go...like for real this time" I smiled itching towards the door.

"At least let me walk you back" Sam offered.

And that had me laughing. "Sam I live right across the parking lot"

"Someone could be lurking in the bushes or up in the trees or something" he joked realizing how silly the idea was.

I rolled my eyes before gazing into his. "It's really not necessary but thank you."

He sighed stuffing a hand into his jean pocket before holding the door open for me. I walked through taking extra care not to fall or trip down the porch steps. I mean I had already embarrassed myself enough in front of him. I waited to hear the door slam but when I turned around I saw Sam standing on the porch watching me walk away.

"Seriously?" I said looking at him.

He raised his hands innocently. "I'm just standin' on a porch."

"Nite Sam" I smiled to my self walking across the parking lot to my house.

A few days later...

"Can't catch me!" I heard some of the neighborhood kids shouting outside.

"Hey Ma! I'm gonna go outside" I shouted to her upstairs before opening the front door.

Kids from the neighborhood were playing outside chasing each other with water balloons and buckets of water. I sat on my porch watching the kids play laughing at the ones who came to me asking me referee their games.

"Jen! Tell Molly that I got her fair and square!" Simon, one of the neighborhood kids shouted across the lot.

"Nuh-uh! I made it to the base!" Molly fired back before taking off near the park.

Even Stevie and Stacey were playing outside with everyone else and were constantly waving at me with giant smiles on their faces. Sam jogged out from his house and I tried my hardest not to shift or start fidgeting. I carefully tucked a strand of hair behind my hair and found another point to look at. I was staring at the banister when I heard Sam come over.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing!" I jumped up completely nervous. "What's up?"

"Nothing, just saw you out here and was wondering what you were doing" he said leaning up against the banister. "So what's so funny?"

And just like that Stevie, Stacey and Simon were throwing three water balloons at Sam's back. Sam took the three hits silently letting the cold water splash his back. His mouth hung open as he drew in a big breath shivering from the contact. I was laughing...hard. His face was priceless! I was laughing so hard I began tearing up from his reaction. The kids around him were in hysterical fits before Sam turned around to face them slowly. He let out a fierce growl making the kids scatter around the area. That had me laughing harder than anything. He turned around and brooded me with his eyes; it sent shivers up my spine.

"Is there something funny?" He hedged stepping closer.

"No" I said eating another laugh. "Other than the fact that you just got ambushed by a couple of kids" I laughed.

"You think it's funny?"

"From this angle and with this lighting? It's downright hilarious!"

"Yeah? How about now?!" He said shaking his wet hair and hands at me, sprinkling me with water.

"If that's all the water you've got...it's still hilarious!"

"I'll call for back up" he smiled. "Stacey! Pass me one of those water balloons!"

"You wouldn't!" I shrieked getting up from my seat before running towards the nearest open field.

"Hey! Get back here!" I heard Sam shouting after me. "She's playing! Get her!"

Out of nowhere kids were jumping out of the bushes and nearby trees preparing to attack me with water.

"Guys...let's talk about this" I said slowly. "You don't have to do it...we can all go down to the pool and swimming and pretend like this never even happ-"

An ice cold water balloon snapped against my butt causing me to shriek and look for the one responsible. Sam was grinning ear to ear as I looked at him with rage. One after another more and more balloons kept hitting me along with constant streams of water from the water guns. Sam was chortling with laughter as I squealed and ran from the attack.

"Alright! It's on! This is war Evans!" I hollered. "Someone give me a balloon!"

We played like that all afternoon and by the end of the day I was completely drenched from head to toe. Sam and I were sitting on my porch steps. Dusk was beginning to creep across the sky tucking the sun away in a small pocket. Pink and orange clouds were elongating themselves across our view

"I had no idea what I had gotten myself into when I hit you with that water balloon" Sam said shaking his head. "How many times did you hit me in the face? Like I lost count" he said knocking into me playfully.

"Aww I'm sorry" I said reaching up to stroke his hair from his face but I caught myself before I could make contact. Hopefully he didn't see my attempt but the look he was giving told me that I was caught.

"What am I diseased?" He said looking hard at me; I could feel my pulse quicken.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked playing dumb. "I'm sitting here aren't I?"

"It's okay to touch me you know."

"I have no problems touching you" I said shrugging my shoulders at his simple request. "See...Boop!" I said tapping his nose.

He broke into a gorgeous smile. "But seriously...we should hang out more. Maybe then you'll feel more comfortable around me."

"We hang out a lot-"

"Minus my brother and sister?"

"Okay...I'll give you that" I agreed easily. "But what are you trying to say?"

"All I'm saying is we should hang out more" he smirked.

I could not believe this was actually happening...was Sam asking me out? I did something I couldn't even imagine myself doing.

"No offense Sam, but I think I'm gonna pass" I said honestly getting up from my porch to walk into the house.


A/N: what do you think?