She started the engine and pulled back on the freeway…

Four hours to go…

Back In Seattle

21. Rain rain, go away…

Spencer Shay had disappeared. The speculation was that he had escaped into Canada, and then maybe gone to Mexico or further south from there. But no one was sure. Maxine's family had requested her remains be interred in Southern California. There was a small memorial for her at a restaurant in Seattle hosted by Larry and Carly. Freddie, Sam and Mrs. Benson received invitations. Mrs. Benson went, Sam and Freddie declined.

Freddie's mother and Luke had become good friends. Luke convinced her to give up her apartment and stay in Sam's old room at his home. Her relentless cleaning didn't seem to bother Luke. They both enjoyed playing cards, and played a vicious hand of poker for matchsticks. Sam laughed, and told Freddie that when no one was around they probably played strip poker. Freddie was appalled. Sam just chuckled and said:

"…Hey, I know that old man and wouldn't put it past him at all…"

Freddie decided to never inquire.

Tiny and Irish stayed pretty close to the couple for about a month, then saying they had some business to attend to in Arizona, they left. Just after their leaving, one or two hard looking men would turn up at the bar every day and sit by themselves in a corner. Sometimes it was bikers, other times it was what looked like dock workers. Arnold told everyone to not bother anyone at that table, and normally dealt with them personally. They never drank anything but water or coffee, and rarely had a meal. On occasion, Mrs. Benson would bring Luke down and he would sit with whoever was at the table for a while. That table was set aside, reserved by Arnold. Whoever was sitting there was never given a tab.

Sam had insisted that she handle all the details for their wedding. This made Freddie nervous, but Sam insisted, and assured him that Mel would be up a couple weeks before hand, and could fix anything Sam had forgotten.

Melanie arrived on March fifteenth, and immediately took over any and all preparations for the wedding. She and Sam fought like cats and dogs about most of the things Mel wanted to do. Melanie would seek out Freddie to try to get him to sway Sam on the subject, but that never worked. Finally, Freddie reminded Mel that while her heart was in the right place, it was Sam's wedding, and… he had to live with Sam. The biggest and last major fight was over the gown versus dress. Sam said she had a dress already, and her concession was that she would wear it at all. Melanie, of course, insisted on Sam getting a wedding gown. This fight lasted for two days until Melanie conceded. A dress would be fine. But then, Mel had second thoughts and asked to see the dress. What Sam brought out was a ten year old black jumper with a white blouse that was stained down the front with mustard and barbeque sauce. The fight was on again. To Melanie's intense displeasure, Freddie had seen the dress and blouse when Sam brought it out to show Mel. Unfortunately, Freddie had commented that he remembered that dress from years before and told Sam she looked hot in it. After another three days Mel finally convinced her twin to go shopping with her and pick out a new one. Sam picked out a jet black 'A Line'. Melanie was appalled. Melanie argued with her sister's choice of color for days. Sam's retort was that 'Freddie liked her in black, and that was that.' This is not to mention the intense panty hose war that flared up every now and again for the entire time Melanie was there. Sam flat refused to wear any of that 'nonsense' as she called it. Then of course, there were the shoe wars. Mel was able to get Sam out of black Converse and into some Mary Janes after a lengthy battle. Heels were not even considered. That was just as well though, if the wedding was on the backyard lawn.

About a week before the wedding, Tiny and Irish showed up again. They explained that they just wanted to check on things and told Melanie they would help out wherever needed. Mel confessed to Sam that the two men made her nervous. Sam's reply was "They should."

The forecast was rain, rain, rain and then more rain for the entire week. The backyard was out of the question. Arnold posted a sign on the door that the bar and grille would be closed for the day, and why.

Time was running short until the wedding. There really wasn't much left to do, but Melanie was a nervous wreck. Sam and Freddie were acting like it was no big deal. Oddly enough, so was Freddie's mother. Luke had Freddie print up cards for the vows. Luke would hand the cards to the couple and they would respond. Simple and it worked. There were no Bridesmaids or Best Man. It was just Sam and Freddie.

The rest of Sam and Mel's family showed up two days before the wedding. Mel had been staying at Luke's house, and now everyone moved in. Luke had insisted, and had been backed by Mrs. Benson. There was plenty of room, why get a hotel room.

The night before the wedding, Sam found Freddie in his office. It was one of the few times that they had been alone in the last couple weeks. They chatted and laughed, and accused each other of being nervous. Melanie had insisted that Freddie not see Sam's dress and that Freddie stay in the room upstairs at the bar tonight.

"Maybe I'll sneak up there and keep you company." Sam said.

"Well, I wouldn't mind that, but your sister would find out and come unglued. That would really piss her off." Freddie said.

Sam nodded and smiled, told him to stand up and gave him a huge hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow then. And don't make any plans, I've got a reservation." Sam said.

Freddie laughed and kissed her, and left for the bar.

The wedding would be at eleven. It was pouring rain, but that was expected, and planned for. What wasn't expected were all the trucks rumbling up and down Rainier Avenue. The city was doing some road work about a mile south, a different truck rumbled by going one way or the other each minute.

The wedding was perfect. Mel had outdone herself with little help from her sister. After the ceremony, Sam had actually given her a hug and thanked her. The reception was going great. Everyone was in attendance that had been invited. Tiny and Irish had brought a friend with them. The three of them mingled, but didn't drink, and moved about the floor constantly, one of them always near an exit. After a while, Irish brought their friend and introduced him to the newly wedded couple. His name was Adam, and he apologized for crashing their party. Irish was standing behind Adam as he had been speaking to Sam and Freddie, and raised his eyebrows and nodded toward Adam. The couple understood, and welcomed Adam to their reception.

Freddie had taken a seat at the bar, watching Sam play with her nephews. Sam's smile was infectious. He really didn't think he'd ever seen her this happy. Thinking to himself, he didn't remember ever being this happy and content himself. Regardless of all the misfortune, here he was, back full circle, married to the woman he loved.

Since the club had been closed on short notice, the normal deliveries came and went. There was a knock on the front door. Tiny opened it as Irish and Adam drifted through the small crowd over to the door. The fellow at the door had a clipboard and said he had knocked at the back door but it had gone unanswered, so he'd come around to the front. Irish nodded and motioned him in. It was another delivery. Sam was still playing with her nephews; Freddie was still sitting at the bar. Mrs. Benson turned and looked at the delivery man. He was wearing Levi's and a faded flannel shirt. He was shaved bald, but had a thick beard. Then she saw it, the gun he was pulling out of his pocket.

"That's Spencer!" She yelled.

Everything happened so fast. Spencer had tried to point the gun at Sam, but Tiny had grabbed his arm and wrenched it up. The gun had gone off three times in rapid succession. Irish had punched Spencer in the stomach, bending him over. Adam pulled a leather clad sap from his coat pocket and hit Spencer hard across the back of his head. At that point, Tiny wrenched the pistol from Spencer's grip. Spencer stood, and staggered over to the door, and out. Looking around he could see Tiny, Adam and Irish coming after him, with Arnold close behind. Spencer turned, and began to run.

The truck didn't even slow down, it couldn't. Spencer had run directly into its path.

Inside everyone was standing, staring at the door. Then they heard it, the clump thump. Freddie had fallen off the stool, and was lying face up on the floor. A crimson stain was spreading across his white shirt.

Look for the last chapter or epilogue this Sunday, July 4th.

Since you've made it this far, you'll REALLY need to read it.

Please review!

I forgot to credit axel100 for the fine idea about Spencer's insane perspective in the last chapter. Thanks buddy! I'm glad you liked the way it turned out!