As you can probably tell if you've read my other fics I can't get enough of the Hortons. I only have two chapters planned after this, so you can expect this fic to be over within the week.
The ring of her alarm clock was more unwelcome than ever before today. Being awake brought on all kinds of awful memories that would make today one of the most miserable days of her life. Going to work would make that ten times worse.
All Sami wanted to do was wallow, but that wasn't going to be possible. So, reluctantly cooperative, she responded to the bell that seemed to control her life. Resolutely she forced her eyes to open, and then wished she hadn't. It was too early to be so bright.
The early morning sun was especially harsh on her weary eyes. It, apparently, took a lot out of them when someone cried for long periods of time. Bitterly, Sami reminded herself that she should have learned that lesson by now.
The trek to her bathroom took longer than it should have, but when there as no motivation for her troubles, what else could be expected? She purposely avoided looking in the mirror for as long as possible and turned on the shower as hot as she could stand.
Finally, when it became inescapable, she took in her appearance. Her eyes were red and puffy, a common consequence of the situation. Her hair was disheveled and, when she took it out of the ponytail, it looked like a wild mane. But the most prominent trait was her lack of hope, joy, expectation. Lack of everything, really.
It was her own fault, but that didn't make it any less painful. She had been so freaked out by Kate's sudden appearance and Lucas's dismissal of her, that Sami didn't know how else to respond. Maybe it was a mistake, but she wouldn't think of that now.
A hot, almost to the point of scalding, shower did little to relieve her mood, but it did rejuvenate her body. It cleared her mind enough so that she could focus on ignoring the part of her that was dying to run straight to Lucas.
It was after she was showered, dressed and prepared for her Monday that she couldn't overlook her issues anymore. Will always had a way of knowing when something was wrong, and this was no exception.
As soon as he saw her he knew. Something had told him when he woke up this morning that his parents had screwed up again. For starters, he had woken up around seven in the morning during summer vacation and couldn't fall back to sleep. Then there was the instinctual gut feeling that something wasn't right. Finally, the look on his mother's face confirmed all suspicions.
"Morning, Mom. Do you want some breakfast?" He gestured slightly to the bowls and cereal he had already pulled out.
Sami forced a smile for her son. The last thing she felt like doing was eating, but for her little man she'd try. The way he tried to take care of her was too sweet for words.
She sat down at her chair with him right across and began to pour Froot Loops into a bowl. They weren't exactly healthy, but some much needed sugar seemed like a good idea, "Not that I'm complaining, but aren't you supposed to be at Grandpa Shawn's?"
Will offered a sheepish smile tinged with sadness, "I had a feeling something was wrong," his eyes penetrated into her soul as only a child's could, "and I was right, wasn't I?"
"Sweetie, I know you want your dad and me to end up together, but… I just don't think it's going to happen."
She tried really hard to ignore the painful wrench in her heart at saying the words out loud. It didn't work.
He tried to force the possibility out of his head. They had to end up together. Everyone knew they belonged together; the only ones that needed to accept it were his parents.
"You guys fight all the time. I'm sure you'll work it out."
A sad smile passed her lips at the innocent perception of the situation.
"Sometimes, no matter how much you want something, there are certain obstacles that can't be passed."
"But you guys can do it. I know you can. You're like… Sam and Diane or Lucy and Desi. You and Dad have to be together, there's no other way for it to turn out."
"I'd think Cheers and I Love Lucy would be before your time. And besides, I don't think either of those couple ended up together."
"But they should have. Did you know that even after their divorce Lucy and Desi would talk on the phone every night until he died?"
"How do you know all this?"
"I watch TV Land, duh. They had this whole special. You and Dad love each other, if you could just have one rational conversation you could work everything out. I know it."
"Will, this is a complicated situation. I don't want you to get your hopes up." Sami looked down at her soggy cereal that she could only manage to take a few bites of, and then checked the clock; "I'm going to be late for work if I don't leave now. Do you want me to drop you anywhere?"
With a heavy sigh Will recognized his mother's way of saying that the subject was closed, "Yeah, can you drive me to Josh's. He just got a new game."
………………………………...
Lucas knew that Sami worked today, so he figured that it would be safe to go to the pub for breakfast. He did not want to run into her right now. His conflicting feelings would become even more troublesome if he were to see her.
A part of him wanted to force his way into her apartment and shake her until she saw what he did. That they belonged together, that they could make it if they tried, that the world simply was not right if they were apart. The rest of him, especially the part that contained his pride, would not entertain the notion for a moment. He was not going to beg.
He was tired of giving everything and getting nothing.
He sat in a back booth to escape notice and passively gave Lisa his order. It was not until he heard the voice across from him ordering the same that he realized that Maggie had slipped into the seat across from him.
"Maggie, I don't mean to be rude, but I really want to be alone right now."
"I thought that might be the case, which is exactly why I joined you."
Lucas smiled in spite of himself, "Why would you do that?"
"Because you look like you need a fresh perspective. I thought things were going so well for you and Sami. Lord knows, no woman could resist the scene Julie and I helped you set up. What happened?"
His mind revolted against the topic. He did not want to talk about this, but Maggie always got her way and this time would be no different.
"We almost made it this time. We were right there, and I mean literally seconds away from being together again," Maggie was almost shocked at how quickly his voice hardened in his next statement, "But then my mother had to show up. She always manages to ruin anything good in my life."
She closed her eyes mournfully. She could not imagine ever treating her children in such a way. Kate was the perfect example of the worst mother ever. Her poor nephew deserved so much better.
"Let me guess, she scared Sami off."
"Terrified her is more like it. She's convinced that Kate will always be in the way."
"I'm sure you can change her mind."
"I can't keep doing this, Maggie. I keep putting myself out there and she keeps shooting me down. There's only so much a man can take."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of breakfast. He gave the waitress a grateful nod of the head, and then looked at his food distastefully. A shadow came over his plate and he looked back up at Julie.
"Do you two mind if I join you?"
"You know what, Julie, you can take my food. Suddenly, I don't much feel like eating."
With that comment Lucas quietly said goodbye to his aunt and cousin, then left the pub with the walk of a man defeated by circumstance.
Julie sat down in confusion and Maggie turned back to her with a determined look.
"We have to do something about those two."
