"Ay, Kristina, please just sit still long enough for me to get the stupid bow in that mama wants you to where." Sam was pleading with her little sister and getting nowhere fast. It was crazy making all she wanted was to have a civilized meal with her parents and Lucky and now they would all be subjected to the three ring circus that was the Corinthos family at dinner time.

"No stupid bow!" Krissy threw the brush and bows across Sam's room without anymore discussion. Sam just fled because she honestly felt if she stayed a second longer Kristina would experience her first spanking from her sister rather than one of her parents. Standing outside her bedroom door Sam didn't respond to her mother until she was directly in front of her. She had been counting to ten in her head and swearing under her breath.

"Samantha? You hardly look finished getting ready, so aren't you on the wrong side of the door."

Grabbing the door handle and giving it a little shove Sam let her mother hear why she was on this side of the door. She didn't remember being five at all, but she knew the Sisters at the orphanage wouldn't have put up with this nonsense. Alexis didn't say a thing but entered and exited the room in a split second holding her youngest who was shaking with sobs. The little girl was being ridiculous. Her parents hadn't figured out what was causing Kristina to have tantrums or nightmares or cry at the drop of a hat, but Sam wished they would soon because her sister was quickly becoming a walking terror.

As Michael passed her coming down the hall she cut him a dirty look and said, "And don't you start with me either, 'cause I'm not in the mood." Then she slammed the door.

"Girls…"

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Hair parted down the middle and blown completely straight, make-up applied so light it looked nude, with a cute denim skirt and layered tank and long sleeve t-shirt Sam observed her appearance and was very pleased. She slipped her feet in her boots and did up the laces on her modern version of an 1800's style. Being very pleased with the outcome Sam headed downstairs and said a silent prayer to whatever Saint covered dinner parties. The house smelled wonderful. Sonny was making chicken picata, wild rice, garlic spinach and homemade rolls and in the refrigerator Sam was chilling her very first mousse pie. It looked beautiful when she finished it after school and she was hopeful it tasted just as good. They had decided to eat in the dining room instead of the kitchen, where they normally ate, because Sam wanted everyone to dress nice and it would look silly for them to all be crammed around that table. Alexis and Sonny had both drawn the line at breaking out the good dishes. Morgan and Krissy couldn't handle it being used more than the few times a year it was brought out for the holidays. After wandering through the kitchen Sam went to peek in the dinning room and almost bit through her own tongue in shock. Krissy and Morgan were running around the table. The boy chasing his sister with one of his plastic swords, neither one had on shoes and both were red in the face.

"Freeze you little monkeys!" Where the heck was their nanny? Sam just screamed for their mother instead. What she got was Sonny with a dish towel over his shoulder and salad tongs in his hand.

"What is going on in here? You're mama's getting ready." He focused his attention on the daughter who had called for back up and was mowed down by the one who barely stood above his knee caps.

"Look at them! They're not ready and all sweaty and gross again. Leticia isn't watching them and if I hadn't walked in they would have destroyed this room in minutes. Can they please stay upstairs with Leticia?" Sam was feeling flushed herself, and not in the good way.

"Get over here you two." Sonny commanded. "Get upstairs right now and put your socks and shoes on and Morgan put that sword away and stop chasing Krissy. She doesn't like it and scares her."

"That's 'cause she's a big baby!"

"No I'm not! Take it back Morgan… take it back."

Okay, now Sonny was starting to feel like proving a point to Sam about this being a family dinner and making her contend with her siblings was cruel and unusual punishment. Too late now his nanny was out on the town with her sister and friends and they were stuck. "Morgan, apologize to your sister right now. She's not a baby and she doesn't have to like the same things you do. Now, knock off the screaming and go do what I told you to do."

"Sorry Krissy… sorry you're such a baby," and he took off running leaving his twin sobbing once again.

All her father offered by way of assistance was to say, "deal with it Sam I have to finish dinner."

Sam picked up her sister, noting that she was getting too heavy to keep doing that, and took her to her room to get cleaned up again. Cutting through the study she found Michael on the couch rearranging the veggie tray. She didn't know what he was up to or why he was even near it since, like his mother, he had to practically be force feed anything healthy.

"Whatever you're doing just stop. I need you to go up and make sure Morgan is ready. Apparently Leticia's out and mom's not done yet, so it's up to us."

"Why do I have to help him?"

"Do you really want Krissy instead?"

"Fine." He had moments earlier decided not to drive his sister to a nervous breakdown tonight, but if she picked at him once he'd let loose like a tornado on her perfect evening.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Finally, everyone was down, dressed and settled. Krissy and Morgan had made up… they always did. Alexis had them coloring at Sonny's desk sharing his oversized chair. Michael was engrossed in a video game on his portable and Sam was holding a book, not actually able to concentrate on reading a word. Lucky had ten minutes before he'd be late and would start this dinner off on the wrong foot. She knew what her dad was up to with all his posturing about this family dinner and his plan to grill Lucky before the dance, but she still wanted it to go smoothly.

Max opened the door to the study and Lucky moved past him deftly not wanting to provoke the guard in any way. Sam made a bold move and shot up off the couch to hug her guest. Sonny took note.

"Hey, I'm glad you made it. I hoped you didn't change your mind." Sam whispered.

Lucky gave her the catch and release hug, one hand around her with an immediate move to swing her back away from his body. In his other hand he had flowers which he passed to Alexis saying, "My dad said these were your favorite."

"Thank you Lucky, they're beautiful and tell Luke not to try to butter me up I'm still not taking his case without all the details." They both laughed. Lucky knew his dad well enough to know that what Ms. Davis said was absolutely true. Luke was trying to soften her up for something.

Sonny's response to the young man's presence was, as expected, cool. "Lucky, I'm glad you could make it." Sonny shook they boy's hand and then turned to his daughter. "Sam, why don't you put your mother's flowers in water?"

"Sure."

"Great, everyone's said hello. Can we eat now?" Michael was too hungry to care about how it sounded. Alexis cut him a look that read… knock it off!

The twins slid from the chair and went to crawl under the desk through to the other side.

"Oh no you don't, stand up and walk you two." Alexis scooped up Krissy and Morgan took off with Michael toward the dinning room leaving Sonny and Lucky pulling up the rear. Lucky silently hoping he'd be able to enjoy the meal that smelled so good. Laura had mentioned that Sonny was an amazing cook and that he would be treated to greatness from the Corinthos kitchen. Sonny was thinking that he'd make this dinner as tough as possible, but knew in the back of his mind that if Lucky survived it his daughter was about to go on her first real date. They both had a lot to worry about.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dinner was going pretty well considering the participants. Michael and Lucky talked about cars and Michael informed him that his Uncle Jason knew all about cars and motorcycles and Lucky seemed very engaged. Kristina sat between Lucky and Morgan on one side of the table while Sam and Michael sat across from them with Sonny and Alexis completing both ends. Krissy was much better at flirting at five then her big sister. When Lucky wasn't talking to Michael or answering Sonny's many questions he was cutting chicken for Krissy or buttering her roll. He explained that he was used to helping with his sister Lulu when she was Krissy's age and was more than okay with helping. Morgan didn't seem okay with all the attention Krissy was garnering and his glare became as intense as his father's. The entire time Sam was stealing glances and laughing and trying her best to keep things light. She made him use his Latin a few times at the table attempting to plant the seed in her parents head that she was a fantastic tutor and hoping they'd let her keep her job.

"Eat Krissy." It was a little under his breath, but Morgan was bossing his sister and she didn't like it.

"No. I don't like it. You eat it troll." Sam cringed… she had gotten that from her. She also cringed because she watched Kristina grab a handful of spinach and dump it on her brother's plate. Alexis tapped her hand in front of them. Sonny and Lucky were talking and Sam was trying to decide where to focus her attentions.

Morgan did indeed take a big forkful of his sister's hand held spinach and shoved it in his mouth only to open it and expose the chewed green glob to his twin. And then like something out of a clichéd sitcom the dinner fell apart. Kristina heaved Morgan out of his chair with both hands… he reached for the edge of the table and only got cloth pulling on it and making everything shift to their side. Three glasses wobbled and suddenly Lucky was wearing his iced tea. Sam jumped up and yelled trying to yank her end of the tablecloth to balance the tugging on the other side.

"Oh My GOD, stop it… stop it… stop it!" Turning to her father she let out a strained and angry, "I knew this was going to be a disaster!"

"Enough!" Sonny was up from his chair; putting a hand on Sam's shoulder he sat her back in her chair. Alexis had Morgan's arm and was sliding the tablecloth back into place with her other hand. Morgan had his free arm ready to swing if his sister moved an inch into his space. Kristina just sat back in her chair grimacing with her arms folder in defiance across her chest. Lucky tried not to look as stunned as he was feeling using his napkin to wipe at the liquid filling his lap. Secretly a part of Alexis and Sonny wanted to laugh. The twins were a handful together under the best of circumstances and this was why they rarely made an appearance at family dinners in a restaurant. As close as they were they loved pushing each other's buttons even at five.

"No desert you two and you're going to bed right now." Sonny said.

"I'm not tired." Krissy cried.

"It's too early." Morgan pleaded.

"Mommy," they both whimpered.

Alexis and Sonny silenced them both and extracted the little monsters from the dinning room. Sam threw her head in her hands and just shook. Michael looked at Lucky and smiled saying, "I bet you can't wait for desert."

Sam just cut him his tenth dirty look of the evening and then stood up to start clearing the table.

"How about I help you with this?" He walked around the table and hugged her. "You too Michael," Lucky rolled up his sleeves and started stacking plates. She couldn't believe when her brother started carrying things into the kitchen too without any lip. Maybe he needed an older brother telling him what to do and not an older sister. Sam smiled a little to herself… knowing Lucky was going to be very handy.

It didn't take long to set the dinning room back up and load the dishwasher. They had all lost track and were laughing and having a great time. The music was playing and Sam had even taken her very cute, but not so comfortable boots off. She had tried to reach some bowls on the top shelf and Lucky seeing her about to topple the cabinets contents came up behind her and picked her up by her waist. He had to hold her there for a split second because she was so shocked by the gesture that she forgot what she wanted.

Michael broke the reverie. "The yellow bowl Sam…"

Lucky placed her back on solid ground and when the last of the leftovers was away Sam set desert out on the kitchen counter and started the coffee pot. She grabbed her dad's best flavored decaf, because of the late hour.

"Should we wait for your folks to start eating this?" Lucky wanted to know.

"There's no telling how bad things are up there. I'd go check, but I really don't care. They have been totally out of control lately. It's a miracle they lasted that long during the meal. I feel really bad about your pants though."

"Don't worry Sam. My mom has gotten worse than iced tea out of some of my pants." They both laugh at his unintended joke.

She let Lucky have the first piece and then cut one for her and Michael. They hadn't even bothered with the table they just stood at the counter and inhaled the yummy treat.

"Wow, this is amazing Sam. You never make desert like this when you cook for us."

Sam's cheeks reddened a little. "Maybe if you're as nice to me as you've been in this kitchen I might."

"She must really like you man." With that he grabbed his plate and headed up the back stairs.

"You better not let dad catch you with that upstairs." Sam smiled at Lucky and when the coffee pot beeped it's completion she fixed a tray with the rest of the pie and the coffee. The duo headed into the study to wait for Sonny and Alexis.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Looks like you two ended your evening better than we did." Alexis commented as she came down the stairs and took in the scene before her. Samantha and Lucky were sitting on the couch at opposite ends facing one another engrossed in a card game. Sam was giggling and trying to steal chips from Lucky's pot. Both teenagers put their cards down and stood up to face Alexis when she reached the desk.

"We cleaned up and had desert. Sorry we didn't wait. How'd things go up there? What took so long?" Sam was talking like a blue streak.

"Well, talk about it later, but they're both sleep now and that's all that matters. Please tell me that's decaf and that it's still hot." Alexis plopped down in her husband's favorite chair.

"I guess it's a little warm, but I can reheat it if you want." Sam offered.

"No, it's alright. It just means I shouldn't have it anyway."

"Shouldn't have what?" Sonny entered from the kitchen standing behind his wife and rubbing her shoulders.

"Cold coffee," she responded rubbing his right hand with her left.

Sam knelt in front of the couch and started stacking Sonny's poker chips and putting his cards away. She wasn't sure how he'd react to her having gone through his desk to find the impromptu activity. Lucky could read the writing on the wall, so to speak, and decided to make a hasty retreat. He figured he'd end this evening on a positive note.

"Well, I really had a great time. Thanks for dinner and the amazing desert. See you at school tomorrow Sam." Lucky reached down to help her up from the floor and then crossed to shake Sonny's hand.

When Sonny stepped around the chair to take hold of the young man's he looked him square in the eye without releasing the shake and said. "You can't leave yet, we haven't had the most important conversation of the night. You better sit down."

So close Sam thought to herself, having placed the cards and chips on the desk she initially had her back to the others but swiftly turned around to see Lucky settle back on the couch. This was what it had all been about. There was no way around or out of it, so she sat next to Lucky and braced herself for whatever was about to spill from her father's mouth.

"What exactly do you want with my daughter? You're a senior and off to college next year why would you want to take up with a high school girl you'll just be leaving behind in a few months." And with that all of the air went out of the room.

"I know the kiss you saw gave you a seriously poor impression of the situation, but Sam and I are friends. We've been friends for a while and I guess now I'm just noticing her beauty. I like your daughter a lot and I just want the chance to spend time with her and to get to know her in a different way… more than a friend or a tutor."

Sam was gulping, she hoped silently, trying to keep the hundred watt smile from taking over her face. She couldn't believe his honesty and how direct he was being with her father. She was consciously telling herself to breathe because his words were taking her breath away.

Alexis took over for a minute. "Lucky, we've both known you and your family for a long time and we like you, but when it comes to something like this Sonny and I have to put Sam's well being first. We don't want her getting hurt because you're trying to have some last hurrah high school fling."

"Mother…"

"Samantha… look I don't want to tell you how to feel, we'll let you figure that out, but Sam isn't allowed to date seriously right now. Those are the rules in this house, period. We have no intention on stopping you from being friends as long as the rules of this house are adhered to at all times." Alexis went to get a bottle of water. She didn't want to alarm the room, but she had gotten a little flushed and hot suddenly and her stomach was doing flip flops. She quickly turned back to her audience and eyed her husband allowing him to pick up where she left off.

"We also decided to let you take her to this dance." Letting the news settle between them Sonny walked over to his desk, Alexis sat back down and Sam and Lucky waited for the other shoe to drop. There was no way Sonny Corinthos was being this accommodating.

"These are rules: You will not drive her in your car. My driver takes you and brings you home. He waits at the dance for you and you will not try to ditch him under any circumstances. Neither of you are to have one drop of alcohol. I know what happens to the punch at a school dance. No before parties or after parties, you wanted to go to the dance then that is where you're going. And she has to be home by 11 o'clock or I'm coming to find you."

"Eleven? Daddy, the dance doesn't even end until midnight. I'm on the committee I can't just bail out an hour early. What about the clean-up?" Sam was resting back on the couch with her legs tucked underneath her, but her comments propelled her forward a bit.

"I guess you better sign up for set-up because staying after the dance isn't happening." Sonny stated.

"We didn't know the dance went until midnight Sammie. We'll talk about the curfew." Alexis and Sonny shared a look that spoke volumes in their silent tug-of-war.

Sonny was done with this foolishness. He could tell the day was wearing on his wife and frankly he was little frayed around the edges as well. "Look you two decide if you can live with the rules or not and let us know. Sam see Lucky out."

Alexis went to her husband's side took his hand, feeling less than steady on her feet, and they started for the stairs saying another polite goodnight to their guest. Lucky and Sam sat in silence until they were sure her parents were out of earshot.

"So, what about that makes you want to run from here and never look back?" She had a slight giggle in her voice, but her stomach was in knots for fear that he'd do just that.

"Nothing makes me want to run from you. I had a great time here tonight and you worry too much. Look you're dad isn't that scary and I know he's just protecting you. My dad and I would probably be the same way with Lulu if the boys she had as friends were older then eleven."

Sam leaned over and took a chance, kissing him firmly and sliding her hands around his neck. Lucky placed his hand on her back and moved in closer to keep her from falling on his lap. The kiss, that started sweet and warm, quickly turned to hot and steamy when Lucky went for it and pushed his tongue into her mouth. All Sam could think was each of his kisses was better than the last. It made her anticipate the next before the conclusion of current. They stayed entwined until breathing became more important than the heat being created between them. Lucky stood up and pulled her with him. He kept thinking maybe Sonny was more right then he wanted to admit. He was falling for Samantha Corinthos and right now his thoughts were way less than noble. And that's what got him off of that couch so quick.

"I really need to go. We'll catch up tomorrow. Thanks for everything Sam." She walked away from the study doors and headed upstairs knowing that the guards would lock everything up. She hit the light switch and took the steps two at a time. It was late, but there was no way she was going to bed without calling Emily to tell her every detail.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Quickly going through her bedtime rituals and changing into pajama bottoms and a tank top Sam popped in her retainer and slipped on her favorite sleepers. She needed to see her parents before she called Emily to ward off any interruptions they might come up with… including saying goodnight.

"Come in," Sonny called out.

"Just me, I wanted to say goodnight and thanks for letting me go to the dance."

Alexis was sitting at her vanity and Sonny was sitting at his desk. They had just started a rather heated discussion, but weren't about to let on to Sam that anything was wrong. It would keep until Alexis' visit with the doctor. Sam never noticed the energy in the room being off because she was too consumed with her own joy.

"So, did you decide about the curfew yet?"

Sonny just looked at her and smiled. "That's enough for tonight, go to bed Sammie."

"You're right… 'Night daddy." She walked over and gave him an embrace and kiss on the cheek. Going to her mother she gave her the same treatment and glided out of the room gently pulling their door closed behind her.