Nighttime fell upon Santa Carla in a long wave as the sun made its final bow before disappearing; leaving the soon to be full moon the stage. Sam woke contentedly in her lover's arms, and she sighed with a happiness that was almost foreign to her. David's arms tightened around her briefly, and then he too joined the living world. A smile touched the pale facets of his face, and Sam reached up to brush a strand of silver blonde hair from obstructing her view. His hand captured hers and brought it to his mouth; pressing a kiss into the center of her palm before he rose to dress for the evening. Sam rose as well, pulling on a forest green dress decorated with blood red beaded flowers and red embroidered lines. She pulled her hair back into a loose braid and slipped on a pair of red sandals before following the curved path out into the lobby.
Paul, lounging on the old sofa, called out as she came into the dim fire light. "Oi, morning Princess. Slept well I hope?" His tone was innocent, but his eyes betrayed his guilt and curiosity. A scarlet blush colored her cheeks as Sam caught on to what he was implying but she swept by and ignored him. "For your information, Paul, I did sleep VERY well…I trust you got an earful, so why ask what you already know?" Marko snorted, "Damn, Princess. Not a morning person, are you?" With a cheeky grin, San shook her head. "Not in the slightest." Dwayne smirked from his place in his armchair as she slouched on the sofa and griped at Paul about the atrocious music that was playing over the speakers of his "rockbox" as he lovingly called the beat up old stereo. David grinned as he watched his Pack embrace his sister into the fold; accepting her whole heartedly and with respect, albeit a snarky older brother kind of respect, and David could relate to the older brother part, yet his undead heart swelled with pride as his boys made Sam a member of their little family, and he loved watching her interact with his Pack.
The night was spent with racing across the deserted sandy stretches of beach and the nearly empty boardwalk, teaching Sam how to properly drink a beer, and courtesy of Paul, how to make even a vampire cringe by belching at will. David sat back as the Pack settled down for the remainder of the evening in the lobby; watching as Sam and Dwayne began a game of chess while Marko and Paul rooted and cheered for her to beat Dwayne's "snarky tan ass". Just as the last rays of moonlight faded from the increasingly brighter skyline, David scooped a nearly comatose Sam up from her resting place on the worn old sofa and gently moved her to their sleeping chamber. Removing her clothing and pulling the blankets over her exposed body, David lovingly placed a kiss to her forehead before joining her under the covers and wrapping an arm protectively around her, giving in to the pull of the fastly approaching dawn.
As the weeks blurred into months, Sam's health began to make a noticeable decline, and her doctor's appointments became an everyday occurrence. David watched while his darling sister began to fade, yet he was filled with even more pride in her and his Pack as he watched them become even closer, nearing the point of inseparability. After yet another round of chemo, David returned Sam to the relative quiet of her bedroom at the Lattimores. They had decided that she should at least spend a few days with her adoptive family before they made any move to change her, and each member of the Pack had embraced her tightly, knowing that the human life she had happily led would be ending in just a matter of days.
Sam hugged David tightly to her; refusing to let him go. "I can't do this David. I can't hurt them…" Kissing her lips, David pressed her fiercely into his chest. "I know, Sam, but they deserve to spend some time with you…not just at the doctors, but some real time. They've been good parents to you, and they do love you." She sighed and pulled away from him a little bit. "I know, I just….you're right." With a cheeky grin, he kissed her temple. "Of course I am, babe. Older brother for a reason. Now, have fun…don't be so mopey, and I'll be back in our agreed five days. And before you start, I'll be back at night fall." She smiled and rose up on tiptoe to kiss him soundly on the lips. "I love you, David…and thanks." He returned the smile and the kiss before going to her window. "I love you too, Sami. Now, be a good girl." Huffing, Sam crossed her arms over her chest as he jumped from the window sill and took off into the chilly night air. She shoved a hand through the tangle of her hair and flopped onto her bed; regret settling in immediately. She hated the fact that she would be lying to her parents, even though technically, it was the truth, in a sense. Slipping under the covers, Sam decided that it was for the best as David had stated time and time again, and allowed the exhaustion of the day and the frightening weakness in her body carry her off to dream land.