Sam sat at her table, the lights were out in the room, she had no makeup on, and she was wearing her sweats. She had just gotten home from the hospital two days ago. She looked at the crumpled not in front of her reading it for the umpteenth time. She glanced at her engagement ring and sighed. She heard the door open and someone walk in. John and Liz and Phil all sat at the table. They had come to check up on her.
Phil: hey girly
Sam: hey
Liz: how you feeling today
Sam: a little broken
Liz: have you eaten anything … you really should eat
Sam: I'm not hungry
Phil: honey, you really should talk about this
Sam: what's there to talk about?
Phil: uh you leaving the ceremony and disappear and we find out you come back to the hospital
John: and it's really hard getting over something like this …
Sam: look I'm fine
John: why'd you say you can't?
Sam: because marriage ruins everything … isn't that what you told me? Because after we got married everything would change and I could never get back what I had, and what if I screwed everything up and I lose everything that ever meant anything to me.
John: Sam … Casey and I had bigger problems then worried about getting married.
Sam: You're the one who told me marriage ruins everything! You're the one who put that stupid idea in my head … what could have caused such a problem between you and Casey? I met her and nothing seemed wrong that night.
John: she saw I loved and cared more for someone else.
Sam: I knew you were a cheating scumbag
John: No I wasn't … I did not cheat on her!
Sam: I don't get it.
Liz: uh Sam I think we need a chat
Sam: I'm fine … really
Phil: Sam … I think you need a vacation.
Sam: I said I was fine
Liz: we think you should take your ticket and go to Italy. It'll be good for you
Sam: No, no I have work and the gifts to return and send back and all those apology cards to send out
Phil: Sam we can do this the easy way or the hard way and the hard way involves making you drunk and taking you by force. The easy way is you pick up your bag that we already packed and getting on that plane.
-Amity-
Danny sat grading papers at his kitchen counter. Jazz and Tucker walked in and sat on either side of Danny. Both of them were silent.
Danny: what?
Tucker: he's ignoring the situation
Danny: if you're referring to me and Sam you should know I've already taken care of everything
Jazz: Danny writing her a note and leaving then piling yourself behind work is not taking care of everything
Tucker: How could you let her go man? She loves you; you love her, what's the problem
Danny then looked up at Tucker with anger, slamming his pen down hard.
Danny: the problem is she doesn't want to marry me!
Danny then sighed calming down, then frowned and fell sad.
Danny: And besides she's safer without me.
Tucker: what are you talking about? When you weren't around she got cancer
Danny: yeah and when I was around she almost died!
Tucker: Danny we think you need a break
Jazz: more specifically we think you should go to Italy with the tickets mom and dad got you, it's not healthy to jump right back into things after something like this you need time to handle it and grieve.
Danny: the tickets for my honeymoon? No I couldn't …
Jazz: yes you could and you should, come on Tucker and I have already canceled the reservation for the honeymoon suite.
Tucker: plus I hear that Sam's going
Danny: it's not going to work guys. Sam and I aren't getting back together this time.
Jazz: well whether you and Sam get back together or not doesn't matter, I still think you need a break, and you should go.
Danny sighed and looked back down at the tests he was grading, unable to keep his mind from remembering the night she stayed all night to help him study.
-FLASHBACK-
Danny sat on his bed staring at the book in his lap. Sam sat on the floor with a pen her mouth. She had multiple books around her. Danny then looked up about to say something, but Sam held up one finger to silence him for a second. Once she finished the page she looked up at him questioningly.
Danny: I don't get it
Sam: okay?
Danny: let's just face it I'm going to fail
Sam: Danny you're not going to be able to go on holiday trip.
Danny: I want to, but I just don't get it … it doesn't stick with me.
Sam: okay what are you having trouble with.
Danny: math
Sam then climbed onto his bed and pulled the book out of his lap.
Sam: give me your pencil
Danny handed her the pencil that he stuck behind his ear.
Sam: okay here's your problem … you cannot combine x squared with 3x cubed
Danny: why
Sam: because they aren't the same
Danny: how are they not the same?
Sam: because one is squared and one is cubed
Danny: but they both have x
Sam: yes I know, but they are still not the same
Danny: okay … what else
Sam: and when's there's an x or an x raised there is still a one in front of it
Danny: I don't see a one
Sam: I know, but if it was zero then it wouldn't even be there so there is a one
Danny: huh?
Sam: just watch
Danny watched as Sam solved the problem with ease.
Sam: see?
Danny started at the book and the paper.
Danny: no!
Tucker then came through the door holding a shopping bag.
Tucker: I come with food!
Danny: snacks!
Sam: Danny you can't possibly be thinking about food, when there is a test that could either pass you or fail you
Danny: we have been studying for hours
Sam: solve the next problem then you get food
Sam then grabbed carrot sticks out of the bag.
Danny: that's not fair
Sam: I know my math it is fare
Tucker: hey Sam what about science
Sam: what about it
Tucker: How can you tell how old a star is?
Sam: uh
Danny: no snack for you
Sam: at least I can add
Danny: that hurt
Danny then pretending to be heartbroken by this, Sam laughed and threw a carrot at him. He smiled and went back to the problem.
Sam: besides you guys know astronomy isn't exactly my best subject …. And I am pretty good at the rest of them
Danny: done!
Sam pulled the book over in her lap checking his answer. He then pulled out a bag of chips.
Sam: Danny this isn't right
Danny: you just said I had to finish the problem
Sam: Danny weren't you paying attention when I showed you
Danny: uh
Sam: what were you thinking about then?
Danny was really thinking about how good Sam's hair smelled and how pretty and amazing she was, but he couldn't tell her that. Sam was his best friend, and she didn't like him more than that. Sam looked at Danny with an eyebrow raised.
Tucker: I know what he was thinking about … he was thinking-
Danny then threw a pillow at Tucker causing him to lose balance and fall out of the chair.
Tucker: Gah!
Danny: sorry it slipped
Sam: right…., so let me show you again
Danny: okay
Sam: and pay attention this time.
Danny: I'll do my best
Sam: so first you need to foil the problem
Danny: what?
Sam: first, outer, inner, last. Multiply the first term in each set of parentheses. Multiply the outer term in each set of parentheses. Multiply the inner term in each set of parentheses. Multiply the last term in each set of parentheses.
Danny: okay
Sam: Next you have to combine the like terms. 2x, 45x, x, 0x, -26x, -x are all like terms because each term consists of a single variable, x, and a numeric coefficient. 15, -2, 27, 9043, 0.6 are like terms because they are all constants. 3y2, y2, -y2, 26y2 are like terms because they are all y2 with a coefficient. First, we identify sets of like terms. Both 2 and 7 are like terms because they are both constants. The terms 5x2, -2x2, and x2 are like terms because they each consist of a constant times x squared. Now the coefficients of each set of like terms are added. The coefficients of the first set are the constants themselves, 2 and 7. When added the result is 9. The coefficients of the second set of like terms are 5, -2, and 1. Therefore, when added the result is 4.
Danny: uh huh
Sam: and the answer is 9 + 7x + 4x^2 Get it?
Danny: but couldn't you just-
Sam: no
Danny: I didn't even ask the question
Sam: stick to the rules I gave you
Tucker: my brain hurts
Sam: you haven't even been studying
Tucker: you made that sound really difficult
Sam: don't listen to him Danny it's easy
Danny: I think I'll move onto English
Danny then pulled out another book
Sam: why in two minutes you're going to whine that you won't get that
Danny: so you might as well not move
Sam: why do I even bother?
Danny: Sammy
Sam: you want me to feed you the answers don't you?
Danny: no-no of course not is the first answer B?
Sam looked on the paper
Sam: no
Danny: A?
Sam: no
Danny: D?
Sam: no
Danny: okay the first answer is C … is the second answer A?
Sam: okay you know what Danny I am not going to let you give up and fail
Danny: why?
Sam: because that would mean I am taking a trip with just Tucker and my parents.
Tucker: hey
Danny: well it doesn't look like I'm going …. My parents said if I don't pass this final exam I'm not going on any trip.
Sam: I knew this was going to happen, that's why I'm staying the night.
Danny: you would do that?
Sam: yeah, and I also need someone to help me in astronomy
Danny: it's a deal
Tucker: you guys have a date
Danny: it's not a date
Sam: and if it was it would be a study date
Tucker: a date's a date
Sam: now you have to fight off ghosts tonight
Tucker: what?
Sam: Tucker you are a geek you know all this stuff and Danny doesn't so he can't go off and fight ghosts we need you to do that for him.
Tucker: fine … but you know this stuff too
Sam: I don't know astronomy
Tucker: now you are willing to admit it.
Tucker then walked out of the room. Sam closed the English book and pulled the math book back out. She started to explain everything from the beginning hoping something would stick in his head.
-End Flashback-
Sam sat in her room and looked around. Everything was silent; she pulled out the note again reading it over. She jumped and dropped the note when she heard her phone ring. She then pulled out her phone and answered it.
Sam: hello
Lea: hey mom, how are you
Sam: hey, I'm good I just got to the hotel. How are things at your new school?
Sam's parents decided it would be best for Lea to go to a boarding school for a better education and a new environment. Sam didn't like the idea but when Lea found a school she was really excited for Sam had no choice but to say yes.
Lea: they're okay, at least easier now that people don't look at my stomach and me like I'm some sideshow for all.
Sam: aw honey …
Lea: no it's cool, Shawn likes his school too. He has a room right across from the ocean, and on weekends he gets to surf.
Sam: it sounds great
Lea: and my favorite part, it's an all boys school
Sam: yup that does sound good.
Lea: okay well I'm holding you up, go look at the sights. You better not stay in your room the whole trip.
Sam: I won't I'm actually just going out now for lunch.
Lea: bye mom, I'll talk to you later, have fun.
Sam walked down the streets stopping and looking at the scenery, she turned and found Danny standing next to her; she laughed at the thought of saying to herself "what a small world."
Sam: (shy and quiet) hi
Danny turned his head not so shocked to see Sam standing there next to him. He saw her leaving the hotel that after noon. He also just saw her on the street and decided he should "accidently" bump into her
Danny: hey
Sam: so uh … thanks for uh saving me
Danny: I should be thanking you
Sam: I owed you one
There was an awkward silence between the two. Sam fiddled with her ring pulling it off.
Sam: I guess I should give you this back
Danny: oh uh you-
Sam: you should really give it to the person you are really going to marry.
Danny held the ring in his palm, looking at it. He then looked back up at Sam meeting her warm soft violet eyes. Sam caught his icy blue ones and looked into them for a moment then looked away pushing the hair in front of her face behind her ear.
Danny: right … well take care
Sam: yeah you too
They began to walk away and separate direction, but slowed feeling déjà vu from the last time there were in this spot. They both stopped realizing this is exactly what happened last time.
One Christmas in London
December air
Red buses, snow angels
Trafalgar Square
And now the two of us are walking there
Remember how it used to be?
You never told me how to love you
We never spoke of it at all
But Christmas day, when you passed my way
We heard the bells of St. Paul...
Danny turned around and looked down the alley he was walking down; from where he was standing he could not see Sam. Sam stopped then turned around hoping to see him there.
All season, and New Year's
They rang for me
That winter was more than
A dream could be
And every morning what I woke to find
Would in the evening still be there We never talked about forever
We were in love, and through it all!
Our hearts would sing every time they'd ring
The ancient bells of St. Paul...
She turned back almost continuing her path, and then realizing she could also go after him. Danny stood there for a second clueless at what he should do, but once he stopped thinking he realized what was right.
I've searched for a thousand hours
Through the town, and places we knew
Past grand old castles and gothic towers
Hoping they would lead me to you...
She walked towards the spot she walked away from then started to jog picking up pace in a run. Danny was already doing the same and met her, catching her holding her up as they kissed. Sam pulled back and looked at him almost shocked. She gulped as she felt herself being lowered back to the ground slowly.
You never told me how to find you
I had to try first and fall
But on the strand, when you take my hand
We'll find the love we recall
And hear the bells of St. Paul
Danny: Tomorrow eight-o-clock at Caffe Florian, if you're there then I'll know … I'll know if that kiss meant what I think it did.
Sam: (nodding) okay
Danny: then I'll know
Sam: (nodding) okay
-FLASHBACK-
Danny took a deep breath and walked into the overcrowded loud party. Things should have been great, but ever since prom, he had been feeling empty. Tucker came running up.
Tucker: hey!
Danny: I decided … I going to do it
Tucker: Sam is going to have a cow when she finds out you're going to have sex with Paulina
Danny: were you listening last night?
Tucker: I never listen to anyone when we play video games; that's how I always beat you.
Danny: right, well I'm breaking up with Paulina
Tucker: really? Wow I was way off.
Danny: yeah well have you seen her?
Tucker: yeah she's inside
Sam sat on the floor with a highlighter and book and a phone on her shoulder.
Sam: yeah well I better start cramming habits now right?
John: I guess, but I also feel you should have a little fun
Sam: I would probably have more fun if I didn't feel like crap. I can't seem to keep any food down.
John: hmm, well maybe you're getting the plaque
Sam: oh you're very reassuring. Look John, I have to cut you off I'm getting another call then I better call it a night. I'll see you on Monday
John: alright, just try to get better.
Sam: will do
Sam pressed a button then held her phone up to her ear.
Sam: hello
Valerie: oh Sam, thank god. I didn't know who else to call, no one was home in Danny's house and Tucker is away somewhere and-
Sam: slow down, what is going on?
Valerie: Danny's drunk, and I don't have anyone else to call. I didn't want him to spend the night at jail, and I know he doesn't need the press at his tail, could you please come get him.
Sam: yeah, sure, I'll be there in five
Sam pulled up and got out of her car and walked down the trashed lawn into the house. Instead of running into Valerie like she planned, she bumped into Paulina.
Paulina: who invited you?
Sam: oh I'm not really here. This is all a dream you're having.
Paulina: if you're in this, it's a nightmare
Sam rolled her eyes and pressed down her anger reminding herself what she was here for.
Sam: where's Valerie
Paulina: down the hall.
Sam sighed and walked further into the house, she saw Valerie sitting in front of a door.
Valerie: Sam, you're here
Sam: yeah, yeah … where's Danny
Valerie the stood up and opened the door and there he was leaning against the wall with his eyes glazed over.
Danny: (slurred) Susie … Sandy … Sally … Sunny, what's your name?
Sam: yup you're drunk, come on Danny. I'm taking you home.
Danny: (slurred) we just met, and I don't even know you're name.
Sam: yeah well it's your lucky night, thanks Valerie
Valerie: yeah, thanks for your help
Sam pulled Danny out of the bathroom and the house to her car. She opened the door and pulled out her keys.
Sam: get in
Danny: (slurred) Sammy that's your name
Sam: very good and you won a trip home, now get in the car.
Danny: (slurred) but I don't get in the car with strangers.
Sam: I am in no mood to play games, Danny. Now get in the car.
Sam pointed to the car with her keys, but Danny then took her keys.
Danny: (slurred) too slow
Sam: give me my keys
Danny: (slurred) no!
Sam: (pointing somewhere) hey what's that?
Danny looked over and Sam grabbed the keys and pushed him the car, and buckled him up. She then ran over to the driver's seat and started the car before driving off.
Sam: just so you know babysitting you was not on my agenda tonight.
Danny: (slurred) did you ever realize how weird fingers are.
Sam: how could you do something so stupid?
Danny: (slurred) did you try the punch … its wild!
Sam pulled up into the driveway and got out of the car sticking her keys in her back pocket along with her phone. She walked around the car pulling Danny out.
Sam: come on party boy you're home.
Danny: (slurred) you know what will be good right now? Sprinkles
Sam: oh that's exactly what you need.
When Sam came to the door she found it locked, a key pad came and asked for the password.
Sam: Danny what's the password into your house?
Danny: (slurred) 47? BINGO!
Danny nearly tipped over; Sam ran over and caught him clumsy. She wrapped his arm around her neck and tried to hold him up as she played guess the password. Once she did get the password of 0000, she dragged Danny up to his room. Danny plopped on the bed pulling Sam down with him; he laughed and opened his glassy eyes.
Danny: (slurred) you're pretty … no! You're beautiful.
Sam: uh
Sam pulled away hesitant. Danny the pulled her in for a kiss. Sam pushed him off and stood up.
Danny: (slurred) what you do that for?
Danny halfway sat up looking at her as she turned her back to him.
Sam: not like this … just not like this!
Danny: (slurred) but I like you …. No! No! I LOVE YOU!
Sam: no, you don't
Danny: (slurred) YES! YES I do! I love you Sandy? Susan? What your name? Sam! I love you Sam! And I'm going to tell everyone … because you are such a beautiful bride.
Sam whipped away the small tear collecting herself.
Sam: no Danny, you don't love me. You love Paulina or Valerie or every other girl but me.
Danny: (slurred) how would you know?
Sam: go to sleep
Danny: (slurred) not until you tell me!
Sam turned around sharply losing her temper.
Sam: I don't know why! Okay? And I just can't wait around for you anymore! And I don't want to get hurt anymore! Because if you really did love me, you wouldn't have made me wait.
Danny looked almost shocked and hurt. Sam couldn't tell if he was really there listening or if it was the alcoholic emotions playing on him.
Sam: I'll be downstairs if you need me.
Sam then walked out the room, and once she collected herself she called her mom telling her she was sleeping over Valerie's for a study session and asked her not to call because they didn't want to be interrupted.
Danny woke up with a pounding headache, and a dry disgusting tasting mouth. He couldn't seem to remember anything that had happened the previous night. As he quizzed himself trying to see if he did remember something he heard a small scream and then a slam. He forgot about trying to remember last night and immediately wondered who was in his house. Jazz was of course at college and his parents were away at some sort of convention showing off a new invitation of theirs. He looked at his door as it slowly crept open. He was shocked when he saw Sam's head poke in.
Sam: you're up …
Danny: uh hello? How did you get in? Why are you in my house?
Sam: oh good you don't remember anything about last night. Your head hurts doesn't it?
Danny: mind telling me what is going on?
Sam: I tried to bring you some juice but your juice is kind of floating and spinning and it's like the exorcist.
Danny: Sam, what the hell is going on?
Sam: you are hung over, remember you big drinking party last night?
Danny: no? …
Sam: yeah well Valerie called and asked me to pick you up so you didn't have to spend a night in jail. Funny thing is I think I threw up more times than you did.
Danny: wait so I got drunk and … you took me home?
Sam: yes
Danny: oh
Sam: I think thanks is in order here, do you think your princess would have dealt with your drunk ass last night … wait she didn't and she was at that party. Jesus, Danny thanks for all the grief you give me!
Danny: sorry, I am just trying to process last night.
Sam: how could you be so stupid?
Danny: I don't know Sam! I can't remember!
Sam: Danny you are smarter than that! That isn't you!
Danny: Sam I don't need a lecture
Sam: apparently you do … because you are so immature as to go out to a party and get drunk. I spent the night to make sure you're okay …. But now that you're fine, I'll leave. By the way your princess called four times.
Sam then stormed out, but instead of hearing the front door slam he swore he heard the bathroom door. He slowly got out of bed and walked downstairs and could hear Sam hurling. He gently knocked on the door after he heard a whimper of "what is wrong with me."
Danny: Sam? You okay?
Sam opened the door.
Sam: I'm fine … I just must be coming down with the stomach flu.
Then she was out the door.
Sam got into her car and drove to the drug store. She picked up a basket; she put some random items along with four different pregnancy tests. After checking out and having the cashier give her a questioning look she headed home and ran right upstairs.
-End Flashback-
Danny ran down the cobbled path. If she truly wanted to be with him, and loved him she would be there, like she promised. He saw her sitting there at the familiar café, her index finger tracing the trim of the mug. She checked her watch and Danny gulped finally moving forward. He stood in front of the table. When Sam realized he was standing there, she jumped up.
Both: I'm sorry
Danny: you go first
Sam: Danny I want to live where ever you do and if you want kids I should respect that because you don't have any and I was being selfish
Danny: No Sam I should have known you wouldn't want a big wedding like that and I should have never let it get that big. The wedding is supposed to be the girls dream, but I should have seen you were having no say in anything. I want whatever you want.
Both kind of nervously chuckled and sat down. There was a little silence and nervousness between the two.
Danny: so …
Sam: so …
Danny gulped and finally asked the question that had been bothering him.
Danny: why did you leave me at the altar?
Sam: what like it's impossible that a girl can resist all your charms?
Danny: I'm serious, I want to know
Sam: what if I was scared, okay? What if I was scared I was going to screw everything up and I'd lose the one guy who means more to me than anyone else in the whole world?
Danny looked at her shocked. Sam tried to hide the tears, but Danny noticed them.
Danny: oh … …. Wow
Sam: is that all you're gonna say! What are you even doing here? I thought you moving on with your life.
Danny: well what if I am doing that right now.
Sam: then what are you doing here?
Danny: Maybe you got it all wrong.
Sam: Danny-
Danny: just shut up for a second and let me talk. I was on a date with this really great looking, fun woman and everything should have been great, but all I could think about was you! Annoying, sarcastic, totally frustrating you! And just so you know if every marriage failed except one, I guarantee you that one would be ours.
Sam: uh-
Danny: Sam you're the only woman I want to be with. So I'm asking you …
Sam's tears were now fully welting in her eyes, and her hand clasped over her mouth in shock as she watched him get down on one knee.
Danny: will you marry me?
Sam sniffled and took the ring after whipping her eyes.
Sam: yes
Danny stood up to kiss but paused.
Danny: are we really going through with it this time?
Sam laughed and pulled him in for a kiss. She smiled at him when their lips pulled away; she then grabbed his hand and pulled him up running down the street
Danny: (laughing) where are we going?
Sam: I'll give you three guess
Danny smiled half laughing, he then picked her up transforming into his ghost form and taking off.
Danny opened his eyes and sat up looking around wondering if it was a dream. He then looked at carefully placed on the windowsill. He looked shocked and hurt. Did she really change her mind? Why was she playing these games with him? He reached over and grabbed the note opening it up.
Calm down I just went to get some coffee to bring back.
Sam
Danny half laughed at himself for panicking and at the fact that she knew he would. He then looked at the door as it opened as if on cue Sam walked in with a cup of coffee in both hands. She placed them on the table feeling Danny's eyes on her. She turned around and smiled at him as he gave her a tired smile.
Sam: maybe Italy isn't all that bad
Danny: really why is that
Sam: I don't know … maybe something's in the air or maybe it's the stares I've getting.
Danny: it's because of that goofy grin you have on your face
Sam: what goofy grin
Danny: this goofy grin.
Danny then pulled her down into a warm kiss, Sam smiled at him.
Sam: so
Danny: what you're not going to wish me a good morning?
Sam half laughed and half rolled her eyes.
Sam: must have slipped my mind. Good Morning Mr. Fenton
Danny: good morning Mrs. Fenton.
Sam then kissed him softly and warmly as he pulled her into his arms.