April 16, 1974

The twins, Mark and Samantha Carter, were playing outside when 'the car' came.

"Mom! Mom!" They called, running into the house. "He's here!"

Elizabeth Carter stood from her place at the kitchen table. "Mark! Samantha! Calm down!"

The two spirited children ran into the kitchen. "Mom! Mom!"

She laughed. "You two sit. I need to go and speak with Mrs. McMurray. I'll send him in to play with you in a little while.

A cheer erupted from behind her as she went to answer the door. "Eat your snack, you two!"

She opened the door to find Mrs. McMurray, a social worker who looked like everybody's favorite grandmother, and a small mousy-looking boy.

I really hope that Mark doesn't make fun of him, Elizabeth thought softly. He really looked like he could use a friend or two.

"Hello, Mrs. McMurray. We've been expecting you. Come in."

"Thank you. Daniel, come inside and meet Mrs. Carter."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Hi, I'm Mrs. Carter. Is your name Daniel?"

He nodded, shyly.

"Hi, Daniel. The kids are in the kitchen. They have a snack for you."

He glanced over to find Mark and Sam watching the proceedings from the kitchen. They quickly raced back to the table.

"Them?"

She nodded and took his hand. She took him into the kitchen. "Mark, Samantha."

The kids turned.

"This is Daniel. Daniel, these are my two children, Mark and Samantha."

Samantha walked over and outstretched her hand. "You can call me Sam, but not Sammy…cause that's what Daddy calls me."

Daniel shook her head. "Pleased to meet you."

She shook her head as she laughed, gaily.

"Samantha." Her mother warned.

The little girl just looked up at her mother. Then, she looked back at Daniel. "I'm sorry. I'm pleased to meet you too."

Mark came over. "Aw, don't mind her. She's just a big baby!"

"Am not!" Came Sam's ferocious growl.

"Are too!" He replied, equally ferocious.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Kids…"

"Sorry." They apologized in unison.

"Samantha, will you please get Daniel his snack?" Elizabeth instructed. As her daughter went to do so, Elizabeth turned to the small boy and knelt down. "Would you like to eat your snack with Sam and Mark? Or would you like to come back in the living room with us?"

Daniel eyed the scene before him, and then looked back toward the living room. "Here." He replied.

"Okay." She stood back up. "When you're done with your snack, put your dishes in the sink, and then you can either play in the backyard or in the basement. I have to talk to Mrs. McMurray."

"Okay." The twins responded.

I like the idea of Sam being a twin...