A/N: This is for my nearest and dearest. This seemed like a fitting tribute to all of you, as you've come to mean so much to me in so short a time. For Ashley, Grace, Abby, Liz, Karla, Francis, Don, and Chris...
You are the ones I am thankful for.
- Hayden
iThankful
Sam Puckett raced around the kitchen.
"Carls! Get the door?"
Carly rolled her eyes, grumbling under her breath.
"Get off your little blonde ass and get it yourself…"
Sam chuckled.
"What was that, Cupcake?"
Carly blushed.
"I love you?"
Sam chuckled.
The brunette pulled open the big heavy door. Freddie and Mrs. Benson stood at the door, casserole dish in hand. Sam shouted up the stairs from the kitchen.
"YO, SWEET CHEEKS! THE NUB'S HERE!"
Melanie Puckett stamped down the stairs.
"Samantha! Would you please…"
The moment that she saw Freddie Benson, the reserved Puckett twin launched herself into his arms, kissing him.
Marissa Benson didn't like it one bit. Carly stepped in, pulling the casserole dish from her hands, completely intent on giving the other couple their moment, however fleeting.
"I'll take that…"
Carly stomped off, depositing the food on the kitchen counter.
A SHORT TIME LATER...
Carly had settled into her unofficial role as hostess, as her partner had shooed her out of the kitchen. Freddie cuddled with Sam's sister on the sofa, as Marissa Benson lectured Spencer Shay. Carly rolled her eyes. It wasn't surprising, but she loved everyone under the roof today. She cleared her throat politely.
"Everyone…"
No luck.
"Everybody… please sit… sit down…"
Still nothing.
This was a job for Mama Puckett.
"Yo! Everybody park it… Dinner's on the table…"
Dinner was an intimate affair. Sam had gone the extra mile. She'd turned their typical breakfast table into something Carly had never seen. The brunette snuggled into place at the blonde's side. This was an amazing day. She was with her very oldest, dearest friend, who was now her love. She had only been dating Sam for a very short time, but she knew that this was right. She'd known it since she was a little girl. Sam Puckett was her everything. She'd been nervous, but Sam had reassured her. It was Sam's faith in her that convinced Carly to go ahead with this, even though it was just six of them.
Carly was panicky, but Sam's fingers were gentle below the table, where no one else could see. The blonde's index finger traced the outline of her girlfriend's navel. She whispered. Carly's knotted up muscles relaxed.
"Shhh, Cupcake… They love us…"
Spencer Shay reached across the table for the mashed potatoes, brushing aside his former video camera – now a squirrel-shaped centerpiece – smiling at the happy couple.
Marissa Benson had just finished cutting Freddie's meat, looking questioningly at the sweet blonde girl whose fingers danced in his. She didn't particularly care for her. She was, of course, part of Sam Puckett.
"So… how much do you have in common with… That Girl?"
Melanie blushed.
"Well, ma'am, We are identical twins, so, technically speaking, everything, but we are individuals…"
Sam took offense.
"Crazy mess of a woman…" she grumbled.
"Sam!" Carly scolded.
Sam didn't care. She truly didn't. Anything could happen today and it would never matter. They were all together, and that was what was important.
She raised her glass.
"Thank you, everybody, for coming… even you, Frediffer…"
"Sam!"
"…What I mean to say is… I…errr… this is hard for me…"
"Samantha…"
"…Alright… well, Carly and I both love you all… You mean the world to us… to me…. so.. well, let's eat."
Carly smiled. She knew that she was always Sam's Number One Priority – second only to food.
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