CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Two weeks later, Samantha and John were in West Newbury. For the first couple of days they were there, John had taken her around the whole town, showing her where everything was. She felt comfortable there, like she had been living there for years. John's house was in a very secluded part of the small town and it was very peaceful. She would offen sit on the porch and just enjoy the calmness that surrounded her. She wasn't used to the silence or chaos-free environment.

They had been in West Newbury for about a week when John had suggested that Samantha go with him to visit his family.
"I don't know, John." Samantha said reluctantly. "Maybe when I'm more settled."
"There's no need to worry about it, baby." John said, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her to him. "Everyone's gonna love you as much as I do. Well, maybe not as much as I do, but they'll still love you."
Samantha laughed. "You really think so?"
"Of course." John asssured her. "My mom's been on my case about meeting you for ages."
Samatha laughed again. "Well...okay. I suppose I could tag along."
John smiled widely and leaned down to kiss her.
Suprisingly, the whole thing hadn't gone as bad as Samantha had envisioned it. John's parents were lovely people and were very kind to her. She also got to meet all of John's brothers, who were all as crazy as him. But out of everyone in his family, Samantha seemed to get on best with John's cousin, Marc. He was as sweet as John and he made her laugh, especially when him and John were together. They were like partners in crime.

Samantha ended up having such fun with them all. It was strange for her to be around a family that was filled with so much love, she just wasn't used to it, at times it made her feel a little uneasy. Especially with John's mother asking her questions about her own family. She had no problem talking about Chrissy, or Andrew, or even her mother, although that did upset her a little, but Samantha wouldn't speak of her father. She refused to live in the past, her life was all about the future now.

"Have fun tonight?" John asked Samantha when they arrived back home.
"Yeah." Samantha smiled. "Everyone in your family is so nice and friendly."
"My mom didn't freak you out with all her questions, did she?" John asked, a concerned look in his eyes.
"No." Samantha reassured him.
"Good." John smiled, putting his arms around Samantha. "She has a habit of doing that to everyone we bring home."
"My mom used to do that with Andrew." Samantha smiled. "It must be a mom thing."
"Yeah, must be." John laughed. "You're gonna be like that one day."
"Yeah, right." Samantha laughed. "If I ever get like that with our kids, you have my permission to let them hit me."
John laughed and brushed the hair from her face. "We're gonna have kids?" he asked.
"Of course." Samantha smiled. "Although no boys. I don't think I could handle another one of you."
John laughed. "It's a deal." he said. "Hey, come here a minute." He took Samantha's hand and lead her to the couch. He sat down and pulled her down to sit next to him.
"Is something the matter?" Samantha asked, confusion clear in her facial expression.
"No. No, nothing like that." John reassured her. "I've just got something I wanna give you." John reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver ring with a green emerald encrusted in the middle.
"Oh my God, John, it's beautiful." Samantha said, taking it from him.
"Yeah. That was my Grandma's ring she gave to me before she died. She told me to keep it and one day give it to somebody that I really loved. Up until now, I've had it hidden away because I've never really found anyone that I loved enough to give it to, but now I've got you. And I want you to have it because I'll never love anyone the way I love you."
Samantha looked up at John and smiled widely. She leaned over and gently brushed her lips against his.
"Thank you." she whispered.
"You're welcome." John grinned, showing those adorable dimples. "Some woman gave that to my Grandma as a friendship ring...but...how about we make it an engagment ring?"
A soft smiled played on Samantha's lips as she looked over at John. "What are you saying, John?"
John chuckled. "I'm trying to ask you to marry me, but it isn't exactly going how I planned."
Samantha couldn't help but laugh. "Why don't you try just asking me straight?" she suggested.
"Good idea." John smiled, sliding off of the couch and kneeling in front of her. He took the ring from her and held it out. "Sam, I love you so much, will you marry me?"
Samantha smiled widely and leaned forward. She placed both her hands on the side of John's face and kissed him softly. "I love you, too, and of course I'll marry you."
John placed the ring on her finger and she immediately threw her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her in return and held her tightly.

Samantha couldn't believe it. After nineteen years, she was finally allowed to be happy. She was about to marry a man she loved more than life itself, she had moved to a new state altogether where she was no longer haunted by the memories of her deprived childhood and her abusive father, and above all else she felt loved and cared for. She was now able to put the past fully behind her and look to the future and what it had in store for her and John. It looked like love really wasn't a forbidden thing after all.


THE END

Awww! Well that's the end of the story! I'm actually thinking of doing a sequel to this one, what do you guys think? Would you guys wanna read that? Anyway, hope y'all enjoyed this fic and thanks to everyone that's read it and reviewed it. R&R this last chapter peeps!