Title: Again

Chapter Fourteen: New York, New York

Author: Jaycee

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Josie leaned against Sam as the plane slowly made its way through the clouds. At least he doesn't seem to be scared as he pulled her closer against him. "What did you tell Gus and your parents?" Sam asked.

"Well, I told Gus that I need a vacation. I haven't had a vacation in almost two months, and I've done more than my share of work at the office. Sometimes when I can, I even help in the copy editing, even if it's not my job anymore. So, when I handed him a week's worth of stories, he grudgingly let me take this vacation. For all he knows I'm going to New York alone." She explained.

"He didn't think that someone's coming with you?" He questioned, placing a gentle kiss on her hair. "Nope. Gus didn't suspect a thing. Anita knows what's happening, but I can trust her not to say anything, and besides, the two of them are so excited over their baby that they can't think straight anymore."

"Oh yeah. The baby. What the baby boy's name?" "Shawn Michael Strauss." Josie answered. He grinned. "That's a wonderful name." "I know. Anita and Gus are so happy." Sam looked thoughtful after that. "What is it?" She asked and placed a finger on his forehead. "What are you thinking about?" "

What did you tell your parents?" "I told them that Gus let me take a vacation. They know that I deserve it, so they didn't ask too much questions." She said, quite pleased with herself that her parents didn't ask too much. "How about Rob?"

"Rob was the hard part. He almost told my parents about us, but I told him that us taking a vacation would really make me happy. So, since he's a totally big softie, he agreed to keep everything." She said triumphantly. Sam smiled and nodded. "Great. That's great. So, what do you want to do first when we get to New York?" He asked, placing his arm loosely around Josie's shoulders.

 Josie smiled and thought his question over. "We're going to be there for three days, so we'll have plenty of time to go around right? We'll be landing in a few minutes, so that means that we'll be there at about…" Josie looked at her watch. "About five p.m. right?" Sam nodded; amused at the fact that she's already fixing their schedule.

"First, we'll go to the hotel…" "That's really a great idea. The best idea ever." Sam inputted, his eyes glinting mischievously. Josie just stared at him and sighed. "To drop our things." She finished meaningfully.

Sam made a show of acting all disappointed, which prompted a chuckle from Josie. "Then. Let's do some sightseeing before turning in for the night." "Turning in for the night. Let's do that first." He kidded, smiling childishly at her. Josie laughed and leaned against him for a hug.

"Nope. We'll be doing that last. Let's do some sightseeing first, okay?" Josie said gently. "I was just kidding, honey. Of course we'll do sightseeing first. I'm so happy that finally we can go out in public together." Sam said and hugged her tight. "Me too." Josie whispered. She felt at peace as she nestled into his arms. Her eyes started to flutter shut. In a few minutes, she was asleep.

* * * Sam heard Josie's steady breathing and he knew that she has fallen asleep. He looked down and saw her smiling lightly. He wondered if it was because she's having a great dream or maybe its because they were together. He hoped it was because of both. He slowly moved his arm from around her shoulders, to get a better position so that it wouldn't fall asleep.

She moaned and snuggled closer. He just chuckled quietly and stayed his movement. "I love you Josie." He whispered as he placed a kiss on her forehead before resting his head on the headrest and fell asleep.

* * * "This is wonderful Sam!" Josie exclaimed as she and Sam started to walk down Times Square. Sam grinned as he watched Josie's eyes light up as she looked at the colorful billboards that dotted the place. He's always thought that New York was beautiful, but seeing it through Josie's eyes made the place even more spectacular than it already is.

He pulled her closer, reveling in the fact that he's walking in broad daylight with Josie in his arms. "There's Broadway, Jos." Sam pointed at the world-renowned theater. Josie's eyes lit up as they walked towards the place. "We're going to watch a special showing of 'The Phantom of the Opera' tomorrow night. Did you remember to pack a formal dress?" Sam asked as he pulled Josie away from the place.

"Of course sweetie. You kept on reminding me. How can I forget?" She teased. Sam just laughed as they continued to walk down the place.

* * * Sam woke up early the next day, and looked down at Josie who is tucked tightly in his arms. He smiled, watching her sleep. Every time that they're together, he always make it a point to wake up before her so that he can watch her sleep for a few minutes. He lightly traced her nose, her lips, the outlines of her face, grinning as she slowly smiled.

"Morning." She whispered. "Morning." He replied, kissing the tip of her nose. He just continued to stare at her; his smile grew as she blushed under his gaze. "What?" She asked. "Damn, your beautiful." Sam said softly. Josie let out a thrill of delighted laughter as she pulled him closer. "Thank you."

"Your welcome." He answered. A few minutes later, he asked, "So, what do you want to do today before the play tonight?" "Let's not have an agenda. Let's just walk around and go anywhere. Be spontaneous and all that." She suggested. "Spontaneity. Sounds good." He whispered as he pulled her near and kissed her all the while pulling the covers over their heads as they both sunk deeper into the bed.

* * * "Honey? Are you ready? Our reservation at the restaurant is in forty five minutes." Sam called out from the sitting room in their suite at the Plaza Hotel. "Just a minute. I'm almost finished." Josie called out. "Okay." He replied as he fixed his gray tie.

He looked at himself in the mirror, checking his black dress shirt paired with a black jacket and black pants. It's obviously his favorite color, after orange that is. He nodded satisfactorily and saw on the big overstuffed couch as he waited for Josie. Sam picked up and sports magazine from the coffee table and started to leaf through it.

"Okay. I'm ready." He looked up when he heard her soft voice. His eyes became larger as he stared at Josie. Sam slowly stood up and tried to speak. She looks so amazing… wonderful… breathtaking in her long blue silk slip bias dress, paired with a pair of sparkly blue sandals and her hair in soft ringlets around her face. Light make-up highlighted her eyes, making it look luminous against the light. "Wow…" was all he whispered.

Josie's face lit up happily. "That makes all the effort I used worthwhile." She responded as she walked closer to him. "You look so wonderful, Sam." She whispered, taking in how his all black ensemble complement his beautiful green eyes. "Thank you." He whispered huskily as he gingerly took her in his arms and kissed her lightly.

They parted, Josie smiling happily. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his chest. "I feel so happy." "Why?" "Because finally, were not meeting in secret. Here in New York, we can be together in public, as Sam and Josie, two people very deeply in love." Josie whispered.

"I know what you mean." Sam answered. He checked his watch and pulled away from Josie. "We have to go, or else we'll be late for our reservation." He reminded. Josie nodded. "Okay." They went out their room, hands entwined.

* * * "Everybody is looking at you Josie." Sam whispered as they were seated on their table, their view overlooking New York. "Why is that?" Josie asked nervously. Sam smiled as he took her hand in his. "Its because you are the most beautiful woman in here." He complimented, meaning it with all his heart. "Okay, okay." Josie said.

"You're embarrassing me." "Okay, I'll stop." He replied as their waiter brought them a set of menus. After a few minutes of looking at it, they decided to start the meal with a bowl of mushroom soup, Caesar salads, then the main course with chicken risotto for Sam and ravioli for Josie. Their dessert will be a slice of chocolate mousse for Josie and a bowl of chocolate gelato for Sam.

When they finished ordering, Josie giggled. "What?" Sam asked. "If I don't explode from this dress after dinner, I will be so surprised." "I know. I would be too." Sam jested. "I can't wait to watch 'The Phantom of the Opera.' It's a great play." Josie said as their soup was served.

"I know. I've always asked Lara to watch it with me, but she would always say that she's too busy to waste her time on watching silly plays like that." Sam said, sighing as he remembered his wife. Josie's face fell as she heard Lara's name. "I'm sorry Jos. It's just that I'm so happy that you're not anything like Lara. I'm sorry for mentioning her." He said gently, almost smacking himself on the forehead for talking about his wife.

Josie raised her eyes from her lap and met his eyes. "Its okay. Let's juts forget about it and concentrate of having fun this evening, okay?" Josie said cheerfully, her sadness quickly evaporating from her voice. Sam's eyes softened as they started to eat their soups.

* * * "Come on Melissa. I need to go to the bathroom." Melissa Sanders looked up from her dessert, and stared at her friend, Jeanie Rivers. "Why do I have to go to the bathroom with you?" She asked in exasperation and turned her head to look at the wonderful sight of the New York lights. "Because… just because." Jeanie replied. "Come on." She whined.

Melissa sighed. At times like this, she really missed her best friend, Lara Patton. If only she didn't get that job at Chicago, she'll still be here with her, instead of this whiny woman that won't stop following her around. She wondered how Lara is, with her new job and that hunk of a husband she has.

It has been such a long time since Lara called her to chat. In the last email she sent her way, she said that her job is going really well, and that her family is closer than ever. Jeanie pulled her from her reverie by grabbing her arm. Melissa counted silently to ten and slowly stood up. She looked around, hoping that no one heard Jeanie's whines.

A blonde woman passed in front of her, sending a sympathetic smile her way. Melissa smiled back and rolled her eyes, gesturing to Jeanie. The blond just nodded and went on her way. As she was looking around the beautiful Italian restaurant, a very familiar and attractive man caught her eye.

"Oh gosh! It's Sam Coulson! Lara must be with him." She said excitedly and was about to go to the man but was stopped by Jeanie. "What?" She asked. "We have to go to the bathroom now, or else we'll miss the start of the play." Jeanie reminded her.

Melissa rolled her eyes and looked at Sam again. He was alone on the table, making her wonder where Lara is, 'Maybe she went out for a cigarette or something.' She mused. She felt kind of hurt that her friend wouldn't even call her to tell her that she's coming to New York. She shook her head and stopped herself from feeling hurt. "Okay, come on Jeanie." Melissa said and went to the bathroom.

* * * Josie touched up her make-up inside the bathroom when she heard the door open. She glanced sideways and saw that it was the brunette from the restaurant with a really whiny friend. The whiny one went inside a stall, leaving her friend with Josie. "Hey." Josie said cheerfully. "Hi." The woman answered.

The two went back to looking at the mirror. "You here with someone?" The woman asked Josie. Josie smiled and nodded. "Yup. I'm here with my boyfriend. Were going to watch 'the Phantom of the Opera' at Broadway."

'Boyfriend? Is Sam my boyfriend? Well, I can't say that I'm his mistress can I? So boyfriend it is.' Josie thought, all the while still smiling at the beautiful woman in front of her. 

"Wow. This is such a coincidence. Were going there too. Maybe we'll see you there." The brunette said. "That'll be great. You can then meet him." Josie said happily, glad to have made a friend here in New York. "What's your name anyway?" "Josie Geller. You?" Melissa stared at Josie, wondering why that name is so familiar to her.

"Melissa. Melissa Sanders. Great to meet you Josie." She held out a hand, which Josie grasped lightly. Suddenly, a stall door opened and out came Melissa's friend. Josie saw Melissa frown and that made her smile. "Josie, this is my friend, Jeanie Rivers. Jeanie, Josie Geller." Josie smiled at the blond woman and shook her hand. Jeanie then turned towards Melissa.

"We need to go now." Melissa nodded. "I know. How about you Josie? You guys not yet going to Broadway?" Josie checked her watch. "Oh yeah. We still have to eat our desert but after that we'll go to the theater." Melissa smiled and Jeanie opened the door. "We'll go now. Hope to see you later." "Okay. It was great to meet you, Melissa. You too, Jeanie." "You too, Josie. See you later." The two women said in unison and shut the door behind them.

* * * "I like that woman." Melissa said to Jeanie as they got their coats and walked out of the Italian restaurant. Jeanie nodded in agreement. "I know. She looks like a really sweet woman. Her boyfriend is so lucky to have her." Jeanie answered. Melissa nodded as they hailed a cab. "Let's go?" She asked Jeanie as she opened the cab door and got in.

* * * Sam looked up from his gelato when he heard Josie sit down. "Hey, honey." He greeted, and was rewarded with a brilliant smile. "Hey yourself." She teased as she took a bite from her chocolate mousse. Sam checked his watch and threw a crooked smile her way.

"We have to go in a few minutes, sweetie. Finish your cake." He said gently. "Oh yeah, I know. I'll be just a minute." Josie answered. A few minutes later, the two of them stood up and am helped Josie with her jacket. He wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked out of the restaurant and hailed a cab.

* * * At the intermission, Sam led Josie to the lounge in the lobby after they bought themselves drinks. They sat on a love seat and started to talk about what they have just seen in the theater. "That was so good, Sam." Josie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling happily.

Sam nodded. "I know. The actors were really great. The money I used for the tickets are really worth it." Josie giggled at that and snuggled in his arms. "I totally for got to tell you. I met this lovely woman in the bathroom earlier at the restaurant. She's really sweet." She said as she played with his top button.

"Oh? What's her name?" Sam asked. "Melissa… Sanders. Yup. That's her name. She's here too, watching the play." Sam's ears perked up at the really familiar name. "Melissa Sanders? That name is so familiar to me." He looked down at Josie and met her eyes. "Really? Where did you hear her name?" Josie asked.

She raised an eyebrow, which made Sam's pulse race. He rarely seen her do that and he wondered why. That move makes her look really sexy…  He captured her lips with his in a slow, passionate kiss.

* * * "Mel, there's Josie!" Jeanie said from their place at the bar, as they sipped their sparkling water. "Where?" Melissa asked and searched the place. "There at the love seat. She's with her boyfriend." Melissa smiled and started to walk towards her new friend, when she saw Josie kiss her boyfriend.

"Woah!" Jeanie exclaimed, her eyes on the kissing couple. "Oh my God. Her boyfriend is Sam Coulson?" Suddenly, Melissa remembered who Josie Geller was. It's the woman that she had heard Lara talk about with so much disdain that she was surprised that Lara hasn't had the woman killed yet. It was obvious that her friend loathed this Josie Geller.

"Are Lara and Sam divorced?" She asked Jeanie who shrugged her shoulders in response. "Ladies and gentlemen, please go back to your seats. The play will be continuing in five minutes." A woman's voice said through the loud speakers around the lobby.

Melissa, her eyes still on the couple, was so confused that she didn't even go to the theater until Jeanie started to drag her towards the entrance. She saw Josie smile when her lips parted Sam's and they both stood up and walk leisurely towards the theater.

Something doesn't feel right here, and she has got to get to the bottom of this. She'll call Lara later. She just hoped that they are divorced, or else it can only mean that Sam is cheating on her friend.

* * * The next morning, Josie woke up before Sam. She slowly sat up and smiled gently as she watched him sleep. "God, he's beautiful." She whispered, still in awe that Sam was there in bed with her. Still in awe that this wonderful man loves her for who she is.

She lay back down in his arms and sighed happily when his arms tightened around her reflexively. She felt so secure in his arms, wishing that he never ever had to let go. But in just a few hours, they will be boarding a plane and will be back to the real world.

That thought brought such a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach, making her feel as if something's about to happen when they go home to Chicago. She shook her head to erase the thought and just concentrated on watching Sam. She wondered if he'd be waking up soon. She hoped not, because she loves watching him sleep.

Her eyes slowly outlined his beautiful face, starting with the outlines of his eyes, down to his perfect nose, to his chiseled jaw and his cleft chin. His eyes slowly opened and lit up when it connected with hers.

"Morning." Josie whispered as she placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Mm-hmm." He answered and pulled her closer. "Let's just stay here today, until its time to leave for our flight." Josie suggested. "Sounds great." Sam agreed and moved closer and started to kiss her neck. "Really great." He said huskily as Josie giggled and let him move on top of her.

* * * "Lara Patton here." Lara said in her cell phone, as she continued to navigate through the dusty streets of Dallas, Texas. "Lara? Its Melissa." "Melissa? Melissa Sanders?" Lara asked happily. "Melissa! How are you sweetie?" She asked as she stopped on the side of the road and concentrated on her friend.

 "I'm great sweetie." Lara frowned at her friend's voice, which has dropped a notch. "What? What is it?" "Are you divorced?" Lara laughed. "No. I'm far from it. I told you, Sam and I and Rosie are doing just fine there in Chicago." Melissa sighed.

"Just as I thought. Where's Sam?" "He's back in Chicago. I'm here in Texas. I have this business thing. You won't believe what I'm going through right now. My boss is so…" She was cut off by her friend. "Are you sure he's in Chicago?"

"What? Of course he's there. I just called and he left a message on the machine saying that he's going to his friend's house for the night." Lara said confused at where her friend is going with this. Melissa sighed again. "Stop it with the sighing. What is it?" Lara felt something in the pit of her stomach. Anticipation? Nervousness? She doesn't know. It was the feeling that something's about to happen.

"Why? What's happening, Melissa?" She asked. "Lara… I have something to tell you." Melissa said in a small voice. "Okay, tell me." "I saw… um… I saw Sam, here in New York." Melissa began. Lara sat up straight at what she heard. "And? What is he doing there? Is he with someone?" "Um… yeah. I saw him with this woman. They were on the lobby of Broadway."

"What?" Lara screamed. "Do you know who she is?" "Yeah. I do, actually. Her name's Josie Geller." "What?" Lara screeched. "What the hell is he doing there with Josie? He knows that he can't see that bitch anymore!" "Ouch my ear! Lara stop screaming!" Melissa protested. "He knows hat will happen if he sees that woman again! Doesn't he even care what will happen to him when I find out? Oh God! That ass!" She ranted.

"Lara, please… keep calm. Maybe they're just friends." Melissa tried to pacify her friend. "Friends? Ha! Do you think that they are just friends?" Lara scoffed. Melissa sighed again. "Um… no." "See? That man is totally cheating on me! I have to go now Mel. I'll call you later. I have to go home now." "Okay Lara. But please. Don't be so…" "So what?" Lara asked as she threw her car into drive. "Bye Mel." "Bye Lara."

* * * Sam got out of the shower and dried himself off as he heard Josie humming from the bedroom. He smiled as he recognized the tune of 'My Baby you', the song that was played the first night they were together. He quickly got dressed and stepped into the bedroom. "Hey!" He greeted. "Hi." She said as she put her hair in a ponytail and walked closer to him.

"So, you ready?" Sam asked as he placed a kiss on top of her head. "Yup. Even though I don't want to go home, I'm ready." Josie said, as she entangled herself from his arms and started to pick up her bags. Sam shook his head. "Nope. I'll carry your things." He said and grabbed her bags along with his and they went out of the place.

On the elevator, Josie looked up to Sam with a quizzical look on her face. "What?" He asked gently as he placed the bags on the floor. They're on the 25th floor, so it will be a while before they reach the lobby. She moved closer to him and leaned her weight against him. "Its just that, I've been having this really weird feeling with me ever since I woke up this morning."

"What is it?" "That's just it. I don't know what it is. It's like something's about to happen. And, I can't seem to shake…" Josie shook her head and looked back in his eyes. "Shake it off." Sam chuckled and messed her hair affectionately. "Oh, stop thinking about it, honey. Its probably nothing." He said and kissed her forehead gently. Josie sighed and hugged him tight.

"Call me after we separate in Chicago okay?" She asked. Sam stared at her in surprise. "Of course I will. Why would you even ask that?" Josie just shook her head and rested her head against his chest. "Just… don't forget okay? I love you so much Sam." "I love you too Josie." He answered and hugged her tight, wondering why she's suddenly feeling that way. "And don't worry about a thing." They stood like that, until the doors open, leading to the reception desk of the hotel.

* * * Josie stared at Sam's cab as it sped off from the O Hara airport. She took a deep breath and picked up her bags. In the pit of her stomach, she felt like something's about to happen, and she can't say if it's going to be good or bad. She just hoped that Sam would call her, just as he promised to do.