Chapter 40

This is the conclusion of the Sam/Melanie conversation. The girls have been able to be open with each other and Sam has just told her sister about her inability to have kids. Their relationship is definitely healing.

The server came with more drinks and took their dessert order, giving the girls a break from the conversation and a chance to calm down slightly and finish their meals.

"Would you adopt? Like, if you and Freddie . . . ?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Sam argued. "Didn't I just tell you, me and Frednuts aren't ever going to hook up, so it really doesn't matter if he cares or not, or if I'd want to adopt or whatever."

Melanie heard enough of Sam's waffling. "Why the hell would say that? You two have been dancing around your relationship since, what, ninth grade? Maybe even before that? Haven't you figured this out yet? You guys are, like, perfect for each other."

"Because, Freddie and I, we're good as friends. Great, actually. But only as friends. And I'm not going to go risking that just to date him. Every time we date and break up we just end up hating each other and I don't want to hate him. To be honest, I don't know if I could live without him in my life."

Melanie looked at her sister incredulously. There had to be more to it than that.

Sam continued and a tear rolled down her cheek as she looked down. "An - and if that were to ever happen, I'd never see Alex again. And I sure couldn't live with that."

"Oh, honey. She's my kid, too." She reached across the table and grabbed Sam's hand. "And your niece by blood. No one is ever going to keep her from you. I promise."

"M-Mel? You really mean that? The way we've always got along?" Sam sniffed and tried to look up. "You really feel that way about me?"

"Oh, please. We're just two strong willed women, bull headed Pucketts to boot. So we squabble just like Mom does with her brothers and sister. In the end, we're all family. Even if I am sort of ashamed of most of them. But not you." She added as Sam looked at her funny and the waiter sat down their desserts. "I've never been ashamed of you. Even if you don't feel the same way."

Sam ate and Melanie continued. "So, knowing what I just told you, does that change things between you and . . . "

Sam sighed. "Not really. I still don't want him and I to end up like we were before. You know, not being able to stand the sight of one another."

"Sam, listen to me. I know when you and Freddie broke up before it was pretty nasty but you're adults now. And honestly, I see the way he looks at you, they way you look at him and act around him. You guys are in complete denial of something that everyone else around you knows. You think Carly doesn't know this? Or even Spencer?"

"You're nuts, sis." Sam scoffed. "And even so, he's still a married man."

"Maybe not for long." Melanie said to herself, twirling the ring on her left hand. She knew this was one stumbling block that she could remove and she intended to do just that very soon.

The girls finished their meal and left the diner taking solace in the idea that the bad air between them was beginning to clear. They walked out into the parking lot in a far better mood than they were in an hour before.

"So, when are you heading back to Portland? You should stay a little longer. Maybe we could all do something, like all of us. You, me, Fredlumps, Alex, Carly and Spence." Sam proposed. "You know, like since we're actually acting kind of sisterly right now, I hate to not take advantage of it."

"I was supposed to be heading back tomorrow evening. Maybe I can push it for a couple more days."

Sam gave Melanie a ride back to Bushwell and the girls parted company in the elevator for Melanie to visit Alex before returning to Pam's for the evening. Sam continued on to her own floor and filled Carly in on what had happened between her and Melanie.

The next day Melanie called Sam at work again. This time she waited until Sam was on her lunch break.

"Hey, Sis. What's up?" Sam answered, not quite as irritated to see her sister's name on the phone.

"Did you get a chance to say anything to Carly about us all getting together? I said something to Freddie last evening after we tucked Alex into bed. He thinks it's a great idea."

"Carly thought tonight might be good. Spencer's going to be home so maybe we can meet up at his place. I'm hoping she convinced him to make spaghetti tacos."

"I'm sure he'll make something awesome. Spencer's one of the best cooks I know." Melanie smiled at the thought of them all being under the same roof with no animosity between them. "I decided I'm not heading back until the weekend so we have a few more days. Maybe we could do something again another day, just the two of us."

"Hey, not to be rude but can we just chat when we get together later? If we're meeting up tonight, I'm gonna try to leave work a little early so I really need to get some stuff done and the longer it takes the longer it is till I can leave."

"Sure, Sam. I'll stop by your place about six, alright. Then we can head down to Spencer's."

Six on the dot, Melanie arrived at Sam and Carly's apartment. Sam barely had chance to get home from work and change before her sister arrived. Of course, Carly kept Mel occupied until Sam was ready to go.

The three walked into Spencer's to find Freddie and Alex already there chatting with the artist who was busy finishing up the food.

"Smells good in here." Sam announced and headed for the kitchen to check on the menu.

As they sat around and ate, it was obvious to the others that some air had been cleared between the twins but not all. A few times, if it were not for Carly or Spencer distracting them from their differences, things might have been said that one of them would regret. Freddie, wisely, stayed out from between them.

Before she left for the evening, Melanie had a quiet word for Sam and Freddie. "Do you two think you might have time for the three of us to get together before I leave. There's something I'd really like to talk about."

Freddie figured it had to do with the idea of their divorce and was more than ready to talk to her. Sam thought the same thing but was a little more hesitant at the idea of being present while they talked about it. Her and Melanie were trying to patch up many years of hard feelings, she didn't want to go back to hating her again so soon.

"Why don't you two do your talking and I'll hang out with Alex?"

Melanie argued back. "Sammy, I'd really like you there, too. This affects the three of us, because well, we're all family one way or the other. And we all need to discuss what's best for Alex. And I've done a lot of thinking about what's best for her and me."

Freddie gave Sam a reassuring look, unseen by Melanie, and she reluctantly agreed. "OK, I'm sure Carls will be glad to baby sit. Maybe Friday, because I have to work late tomorrow evening."

The three made arrangements for Carly to take Alex for ice cream Friday evening while the twins and Freddie met up in the girls' apartment. Before Carly left she made a pitcher of lemonade and set out snacks so they could gather around the table and talk. Freddie was already at their place, having accompanied the little girl to meet Carly, and all they had to do was wait for Melanie to show up.

"You want something to drink, even though I know what the answer will be?" Sam smirked. "God, why does she make this?"

Freddie just looked at her with an unspoken response.

"You know, maybe if I dump some more sugar in it, or something." Sam was trying to think of a way to make the drink palatable.

"Have any sodas in the fridge?" He asked. "Could you maybe donate the lemonade to some homeless person?"

"Dude, that's cruel. Those people have a hard enough life." The blonde cracked as a knock came to the door. "Get that, would you?"

Freddie left Melanie in and invited her to sit at the table as Sam approached with the pitcher and a couple of glasses, even though she knew no one would willingly partake.

"I'm gonna warn you, this stuff packs a kick." Sam sat a glass down for her sister and poured.

"Ooh, is that Carly's lemonade?" Melanie asked with glee.

"You, uh, like Carly's lemonade?" Freddie asked.

"It's the best ever." Mel replied and took a sip. "I really wish I knew her secret."

Sam and Freddie just looked at each other and shrugged. He took another drink of soda.

"I think I'll stick with water." Sam told them and took a seat and cracked open a bottle.

"So, I guess you know Freddie and I are starting to talk about divorce, right?" Mel asked Sam, who simply nodded.

"But before we get beyond the briefly discussing this phase, I want some assurances that Alex is not going to grow up being raised by a single dad without any female support."

"Psh. There's so much female support, it's not funny." Freddie scoffed. "My mom, Carly, even Pam."

"And Sammy." Mel looked at him pleadingly.

"Sure, Sam's here for us." He nodded. "That's a given."

"Look, I know no one wants to think of this but our mothers aren't kids anymore. What happened to Marissa the other month is testament to how fragile their bodies are becoming. And let's face it, Pam's shaved years off her life with the smoking, drinking and all over the years. And Carly, I can't believe she hasn't gotten serious about some guy since she's back in Seattle. When she does find someone she's not necessarily going to be available or around for backup like she's been."

"I'm guessing that's where I come in?" Sam asked.

"Exactly. Understand I don't care if you two are together."

Sam flushed slightly and Freddie blushed.

"I mean it. It doesn't matter to me if you guys are dating, or friends or friends with benefits or hell, even if even you get married. All I care about is if Alex has a stable home life. I do not want her growing up in a single parent household with the only female role models being her friends' moms. Well, and that you two are happy with whatever you have."

"You mean like the only male role model we had was basically Spencer?" Sam motioned back and forth between her and Freddie."

Melanie nodded. "Can you do that for me, Sam? Can you commit to being her mother figure when I'm not around?"

"Wow, when you say it that way it kind of really sinks in." Sam said softly. "Um, yeah. I - I wouldn't have it any other way. That is if Freddie wants me around. And Alex, too."

He reached and took Sam's hand. "You know how Alex feels, she loves you. And of course I want you around, Sam. You're my closest friend. Sure, we've had our problems in the past. But that was my fault for not being honest with you. And I swear, I will never lie to you again. I couldn't live with myself if I'd ever hurt you like that again."

A small bit of moisture formed over Sam's eyes but she hid it well.

"So we have a deal, then?. On that part anyway." Mel asked, trying not to look at their joined hands.

Sam soon realized the awkwardness and got up to get away from his grasp. "You know, I think I'll try some of that lemonade after all."

After pouring herself a drink, wishing she had some vodka to add, and wiping at her eyes, Sam sat back down. "What else did we have to talk about?"

"I've done some thinking, made some decisions, talked to Mom. I'm going to start looking for a job closer to Seattle. Don't get me wrong, I like being with Dad and Sheila and the boys but I should be closer my own family. It - it makes more sense for me to travel 3 hours to see my dad a few times a year than it does to put our child on a bus for 3 hours to see me once or twice a month."

"So, you're thinking visitation rights, then?" Freddie questioned.

"Once I get settled in, have my own place and some backup of my own, yes. I mean, I realize I couldn't do it on my own, and I'd never do that to her -rip her away from you like that. She can stay with you just like now. But I would like to be more involved."

"What about Pam's?" Freddie questioned. "Couldn't you stay with her?"

Sam scoffed and Mel looked at her funny. "Mom's actually changed a lot, Sam. She's never out late and she asks me every day if I've had my pills and stuff. She did say she thinks I should stay with her."

"Maybe you could keep each other on track." He shrugged. "If you're both serious, it could be a good thing. You know, she makes sure you take your meds, you make sure she gets to her meetings and lets the cigarettes alone."

"I've been working, got some experience on my resume, even if I'm just a receptionist in a doctor's office. I can surely find a job doing that closer to here if need be. Plus it's kind of a waste of a degree to work at a job like that anyway. Maybe I could try to find something at one of the colleges or a school or something."

"Look at me, I don't even have a degree and I do pretty good." Sam told her. "I got the first job I applied for when I moved home. Still have it and I'm not planning on going anywhere."

"I really don't think I want to be a mechanic, Sam." Mel sneered.

"I'm not just a mechanic. I look up parts, deal with warranty claims, even customers sometimes. I've heard they're looking at expanding the dealership and if a job as a service manager opens up, I'm going for it."

"Still, I'm not a hands on person like you are. And I don't know a hammer from a screwdriver. But back to the point, if I can get a little closer home, do you think we could work something out where Alex is able to be with me, I don't know like, every other weekend or something. Maybe a couple of weeks over summer?"

"If you're living with Pam, maybe." Freddie said. He was uneasy about Melanie being alone with Alex and what about when she went to work?

"Dude!" Sam swatted at his arm. "My mom! Seriously?"