Chapter 11
Sam woke up feeling the arms around her. It was dark in the room, but she knew it was Jake.
"What time is it?" she whispered.
"About one," Jake told her.
"In the morning?" Sam was surprised. "How'd you get in here?"
"I'm stealthy," she felt his shrug.
"My gosh, Jake," Sam bit back her laughter. She felt the chuckle in his chest.
"Do you want me to leave?" Jake asked.
"I didn't want you to leave the last time," Sam responded.
"Wyatt suggested it," Jake told her.
"You promised me you wouldn't leave," Sam reminded him and it sounded like she was pouting.
"What was I supposed to do?" Jake asked her. "I didn't want to piss him off so much he'd never let me see you. It was just easier to go and come back later."
"I wanted to wake up to you," Sam sighed.
"You just did," Jake shrugged again. "Some day you will all the time."
"Speaking of which, when are you planning this?" Sam wondered.
"Well I'd like it tomorrow, but I'm sure you wouldn't be ready," she heard the humor in Jake's voice.
"Uh no," Sam shook her head with a laugh. "I still have another year of high school, then four years of college."
"I know," Jake sighed. "When then?"
"When I'm through college?"
"You're not planning on flunking high school or anything are you?" Jake asked and Sam laughed.
"No."
"Not repeating any grades?" Jake asked.
"No."
"So you're saying in five years?"
"About that," Sam nodded.
"What if I told you I can't wait that long?" Jake wondered.
"What if I told you that you had to?" Sam asked.
"I'd be upset," Jake told her honestly.
"What choice do I have?"
"Not go to college," Jake suggested.
"So you can go to college but I can't?" Sam yelped.
"Shhh," Jake warned her. "I'm not supposed to be here, remember?"
"So you can go to college but I can't?" Sam repeated in a whisper. "And don't shush me."
"That's not what I'm saying," Jake said. "You asked what choice you had and I gave you one."
"One that I don't accept," Sam told him.
"Then I guess we have to wait five years," Jake responded.
"Do you realize how aggravating you are sometimes?" Sam grumbled.
"Do you realize how much I love you?" Jake asked.
Sam sighed. "You trump me."
Jake chuckled. "I do you know. A lot."
"I love you a lot too," Jake could hear the tiredness in her voice again.
"Go to sleep, baby," Jake urged her.
"Do you promise…" Sam began, then yawned.
"I'll be here when you wake up, I promise."
Sam nodded as she drifted off. Jake waited until she relaxed in his arms before letting himself fall asleep with her.
The next time Sam awoke, Jake was sitting in the chair next to her. He had a grip on her hand and squeezed it when he saw her awaken.
"I liked it better when I woke up in your arms," Sam told him.
"Me too, but I'd rather not face Wyatt again doing it," Jake said.
Sam sighed and nodded.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Hungry," Sam answered.
"That's good," Jake gave a small smile.
"I want to go home," Sam said.
"That's good too," Jake's smile grew.
"Will you drive me home?" Sam asked.
"I think the father trumps the boyfriend," Jake responded.
"You're not my boyfriend," Sam raised her eyebrows. When he raised one of his, she went on. "You're my fiancé."
"I think the father trumps the fiancé," Jake corrected.
"He shouldn't," Sam frowned.
"He's your father," Jake reminded her. "It's okay, Brat."
"You'll go back to GBC then won't you?" Sam's frown got larger.
Jake nodded. "I do need to go back. I promised Mom I would when you went home."
Sam sighed but understood. "When will you be home?"
"In a few weeks," Jake said. "Spring break."
"If you can wait five years, I can wait a few weeks," Sam murmured.
His mouth twitched then. "That's big of you, Brat."
Sam started to laugh then and Jake joined in.