"You're Sam's dad?" Freddie asked incredulously.

Mr. Puckett looked up from the large pot in front of him at Freddie for just a few seconds, then back down at his chili before adding in a few more ingredients.

"You got it. Sam's my daughter. You two know each other pretty well from what I hear."

"Yeah, we hang out a lot. Mostly because of Carly, but Sam can be cool sometimes. Just don't tell her I said that. How come I've never met you or heard of you?" Freddie wondered out loud, moving to back to the breakfast bar to hear some info he knew he didn't want to miss.

The older man stopped cutting the green peppers he had made it most of the way and set his knife down, before he sighed.

"Well, I guess I'm really not surprised. Sam and I don't really get along. She always blamed me for the divorce. I just …. Well it just didn't work out for us. I loved her from the bottom of my heart, but I dreaded coming home everyday. We just weren't compatible. We wanted different things in life. She was a very free spirit. I want to know everything is under control. Sam really didn't take it very well. She blamed me for not trying hard enough. I really think it tore her apart. We don't really talk much."

He stopped talking long enough to turn to his oven and take out his awesome tots. Freddie eyed them hungrily as he added more shredded cheese and bacon bits to it.

"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Freddie said glumly. To have your father, and not be part of his life…."I don't really know my dad. He's not a part of my life. My mom takes care of everything. So she overcompensates for it."

Mr. Puckett put the dish back into the top oven and closed the silver door on it. He wiped his hands on the lime green hand towel.

In front of his eyes, Mr. Puckett began pulling food off of the stove, and out of the ovens, setting them all on the stove. He finally seemed to have finished all of his work and stopped long enough to take a breath.

"I mean it Freddie, I really appreciate you coming on such short notice, and especially on a fri-Oh geez the snow is coming down hard! Freddie you should really stay for dinner, and I can take you home in my Blazer after we eat if it doesn't clear up by then."

Freddie spun around to face the window. He hadn't even know it was snowing, much less coming down in sheets. He immediately picked up his phone and called his mom to tell her about the snow and how bad it was coming down. It didn't change anything, as his mom announced would come pick him up anyways.

Freddie sighed and hung up his phone. He'd tried arguing shortly, but figured it was pointless. Instead he moved to the table by the window to watch the snow fall, and in only a few short minutes later his phone was ringing.

"Freddie, It's mommy, I can't get the car out of the parking lot. The taxi's aren't running, so have your friend bring you home as soon as you can. Mommy loves you Freddie!"

Freddie gave his usual reply, telling her he loves her and reassure her that he was healthy and taking care of himself. Freddie was excited to be eating all food that he had smelled cooking since he had arrived, and was more than happy to help set the table while the rest of the family came home. Pretty soon they were back on the topic of sam.

"I try to be a part of my daughters lives. If Sam wanted to go to that prepatory school, she could be enrolled in a heartbeat. But she chooses to live with her mom, so I try and help out where I can. I'm going to start the desert Freddie, I'll be right back"

Suddenly a lot more made sense about Sam. How her mom had a house when his mom had only the apartment, her clothes that were usually in decent condition, and all the money for the pranks, beef jerky and stuff she does when she isn't borrowing money from him.

While he was thinking, a pair of very cold hands covered his eyes, pulling him back against what Freddie could feel to be a petite shapely body.

"Guess who?" Asked a very feminine voice Freddie thought was more than just a little bit familiar.

"As cold as your hands are, I have to guess the abominable snowman."

"No, Silly! I'll give you hint." Freddie felt her move around to his sides, and felt a light peck on his cheek. He knew that perfume, from somewhere.

"Sam?" Freddie asked.

"No Freddie! I'll give you a better clue."

He felt her lips pressing onto his, a passionate kiss.

As he returned the kiss, something Mr. Puckett had said popped into his head.

I want to be part of my Daughters lives

Freddie pulled back from the kiss and removed her hands from his face.

Her eyes filled his vision only inches from his own.

"Melanie?" He weakly asked