iDon't Want to Leave You

Barely a month had passed since their respective weddings, but the combined Shay, Puckett, and Benson families had adapted swimmingly to their new routines, albeit with a few hiccups.

Marissa Benson was overjoyed to welcome her new daughter-in-law to the family, but was less than thrilled that her brilliant little boy had decided to forego a Computer Science scholarship by transferring from the University of Washington across town to Seattle University, simply to be with Melanie on a full-time basis. The fact that he subsequently changed his major from Computer Science to Business Management left his well-meaning if overbearing mother scratching her head. The argument that followed in the living room of his childhood home at Bushwell Plaza was a family affair. It had escalated from a heated discussion between mother and son to include both Puckett Twins and Carly Shay. Melanie, of course, wanted Freddie's best interests looked after. Sam was there to back up her sister, should things get swingy. Carly was there out of love for all concerned, but also to play the peacemaker.

"How can you walk away from a full-ride scholarship?"

"Mom! I'm just making a change… and besides, I have to think about the two of us, rather than just what could be easy."

Melanie Puckett-Benson threw her arms around her man's waist, both out of love and protection. The little blonde pixie wanted to protect her man. It took her brain a minute to process the fact that not everyone's home life mirrored the childhood she and Sam had shared. She logically knew that this woman, however irrational, would never harm her only child. She spoke up. Her voice came out stronger than she'd expected.

"Not to speak out of turn, but I've told him this wasn't necessary. Believe me, once he makes his mind up, that's it – just like other members of my family…"

Melanie shot Sam a sidelong glance, followed by a smirk. Sam simply grinned before rounding on Mrs. Benson to put in her own two cents. However she had intended for the words to come out, they exited her mouth in what was apparently mid-sentence. For the first time in her life, it seemed as though Sam Puckett wasn't completely cool under pressure.

"…Crazy mess of a woman! We're all family now, so if you want to pick a fight with him that means you're picking a fight with her, which means you deal with me!"

Freddie and Melanie were both shocked. Sam pulled Carly to her by the waist, the blonde's fingers catching in the belt loops of the brunette's skinny jeans. True to form, Sam's first instinct was protection. She wanted everyone simply to be. Carly Shay hated confrontation, but Sam Puckett deplored it. She'd had enough fights and aggression in her young life. Now, at peace for the first time in her life, she had decided that she would be the head of their combined family. As far as she was concerned, all family matters were hers to weigh in on and regardless of the personal animosity between her and Freddie Benson growing up, none of that mattered anymore. They were family now. Sam would fight and die for all of them.

Carly squeezed Sam's hand tightly. She didn't like this. Sam rubbed Carly's palm with her thumb. This was what it took to calm the Cupcake down after periods of high stress. Today, of all days, was not that day for Sam's precious little Carly to be stressed out.

Sam glared at Marissa Benson, glancing briefly in the direction of her sister.

"Are we done here?"

Freddie's mother swallowed hard and stared at her living room floor.

"I overreacted, I know… I apologize. I didn't realize that it would involve all of you…"

Freddie jumped in, afraid that the Blonde Headed Demon might throw his mother even further under the bus.

"Mom… I get it, I do… but you need to let things like this be between Mel and me… All I'm trying to do is support her as best I can…"

There it was. This was all about Freddie's feelings for the blonde at his side. Marissa Benson felt ashamed of herself. How could she not have seen this? Her son would always be her son, but the truth of the matter was that he was a grown man who cared so deeply for the woman at his side that he chose to follow her, come whatever may.

Sam's cell phone squawked at her. She had just gotten a text message calling her in to work unexpectedly.

"Goddamn…"

Carly glanced at the phone. She knew. Sam was crushed, although the owner of the restaurant where she worked seemed not to care that she was Carmine Puckett's niece. Sam's eyes met Carly's and saw tears beginning to form.

"I'm so sorry, Cupcake…"

Sam hated herself at this moment. Carly Shay was now her wife. She wanted nothing more than to stay by her Cupcake's side. Carly needed her more today, but Sam knew that that was an impossible choice. Carly wanted it, but would never allow Sam to put her above her other obligations.

"Go… I understand, really… this wasn't something you had any control over, Baby…"

"Goddamn you, Carly Shay, for being so logical…"

Sam, completely oblivious to a roomful of other people, craned her face to meet her partner's and kissed Carly lightly, their lips barely touching.

"I love you…" Sam whispered.

She glanced to her sister, who instinctively knew. They didn't need words.

Melanie Puckett, also the dutiful wife, kissed the back of Freddie's neck gently, all the while glaring at her mother-in-law. She spoke to Freddie, but it was obvious by the stress and intonation of her voice that her words were meant not for her husband, but for his mother.

" Carly and I need to be going… I'll leave you two to sort this all out, but I love you…"

Sam Puckett, ever the invisible ninja of Bushwell Plaza, had taken her leave with only Melanie and Carly realizing she had gone. Melanie Benson, taking the brunette onto herself, looped her arm around Carly's back, as Sam always did. Carly needed every ounce of support Melanie could give her today. The petite blonde whispered into her ear as they reached Mrs. Benson's front door and entered the hallway.

"I just want you to know that we all love you, Carls…"

Melanie planted a tender kiss alongside Carly's head, just near her ear. Carly couldn't bring herself to tell Melanie the feelings that it stirred in her. She knew better – Melanie was not Sam – but her body reacted nonetheless. This woman looked identical to her love, so her body told her brain that they were one and the same. She simply hugged the tiny blonde close, thanking her profusely.

Melanie turned scarlet.

"Carly… Don't. We're family now…"

STUCK IN CROSSTOWN SEATTLE TRAFFIC…

Sam spoke furiously in Italian. She hadn't wanted to do this, but on this of all days? She didn't have a choice. Before today, she held nothing against the Brooklyn transplant who signed her paychecks. That changed, however, when he tore her away from the Cupcake this afternoon. Any day but Today.

The New Yorker had no idea how bad he had inadvertently made things for himself. Now, he was left to deal with Carmine Puckett.