iCook For My Cupcake

"But Carls, I don't want you to go…" Sam whined.

"Honey, it's just a day trip to visit my grandparents in Yakima… I'll be back by dinner, I promise."

"Why can't I come with you?"

Both Carly and Sam knew that it was a loaded question. They also both knew the answer. It simply wasn't a good idea.

"Sam…Honey… We've been over this. We both know that I'd love for you to come with me, but we both know that isn't a good idea right now. You know my Grandma would understand, but Granddad is… well… The Colonel had to learn it somewhere, I guess."

Carly believed half of that statement. Hate was a learned behavior. She had no idea where her father learned to be a bigot, but her grandparents really didn't seem like the source. Her grandfather was rough around the edges, sure, but he paled in comparison to her father. She knew that Sam, rightfully, had separation anxiety and fears of abandonment. She wanted to wrap her in her arms and never leave, but at the moment, she didn't have a choice in the matter. She needed to go.

She pulled Sam into a forceful embrace and kissed her fully and forcefully on the mouth, not caring that they were in full view of Melanie, who stood at the kitchen counter, nonchalantly munching a slice of raisin toast. Carly looked into Sam's eyes to be sure she understood.

"I love you. I'll be back home here in time for dinner tonight. Have a good day with Mel, but I've got my phone, so just text me, I'll be around."

She kissed Sam again before turning to Melanie.

"If either of you need me, just call."

Melanie nodded and smiled, looking up from her breakfast.

Sam held Carly tight, not wanting to let her go. Carly leaned in again and kissed Sam flush on her forehead.

"I love you, Sam. Have a good day with Mel. I promise, I'll be home before you know it."

Sam could hear Spencer outside, honking the horn of the van he had once again borrowed from Socko. She grudgingly let go of Carly's jacket. She knew Carly had to go.

"I love you, Carlotta…"

"I know, Sweety… Gotta go."

Watching the door shut behind her, Sam Puckett was crestfallen. She knew Carly would be back, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

"She isn't like Mom, you know… She'll be back, Hun."

This was the first time Sam could remember when Melanie not only mentioned their mother, but even broached the subject of their childhood and everything they went through together.

"No offense, Princess… but could we please not talk about Pam?"

Melanie understood. That was the one thing about being a twin that she found helpful. There were a great many things between her and Sam that could go unsaid. She wasn't psychic, but it was more like being tuned to a really good radio station. She just knew her sister that well. After everything that had transpired, she could completely understand not wanting to ever broach the topic of their parentage again. Her own feelings towards their mother were, understandably, more positive than Sam's – though that was due, primarily to her years spent at an exclusive all-girls prep school out East. Out of nowhere, Sam spoke again.

"I miss Carly… and I'm hungry. You going to finish that toast?"

Melanie couldn't help but laugh.

"God, Sam… Carly's right. You really do think with your stomach."

"Shut it, Prom Queen!"

"Is this what you plan to do all day? Pick on me?"

"It's what I'm good at…"

Melanie decided to use Sam's only phobia against her.

"Thank you, Carly…" she thought.

"Panties!"

"Gah!"

"Panties!"

"Gah!"

"Panties!"

"Goddammit! Must you?"

"I must. Turnabout's fair play."

"Like Hell it is…" Sam knew that she had to change the subject or, at the very least, get her sister's mind off of those… those… those…things. "Girly Cow?"

Melanie laughed.

"You're such a child. Of course!"

Maybe they could have a productive day after all.

SEVERAL EPISODES OF GIRLY COW LATER…

The buzzing of Sam's cell phone woke her up. She had dozed off.

NEW MESSAGE

FROM: Carly

Sent: 2:27 PM, PST

Hey there Mama,

I miss you loads. Wish you were here. Grandma asked about you. She says it makes sense, you and me. I don't know if I like that. I mean, it's my grandmother… like... OMG! So, how's everything at Camp Puckett? You haven't done something awful to Mel, have you? J/K Luv U! ~CC

The simple text message made Sam's heart sing. Carls was right, it was a little creepy that her Grandma was THAT okay with their relationship, but she wasn't about to question it. Nobody was so rich as to throw away a friend. It was only now that she realized that her sister was missing. Without thinking, she started shouting.

"MELANIE! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?"

Melanie, not fifteen feet away in the kitchen, was much more subdued.

"Uhhh… Cooking…"

Who the hell did this little pixie think she was?

"No dice, Sweet Cheeks… The kitchen is Mama's domain…"

Sam crossed the floor in less than a minute. She couldn't have her kitchen sissified by the likes of Melanie. Next thing she knew, she'd have people using coasters and salad forks and shit…

"What makes you think you can just barge into my kitchen and think you know what you're doing?"

Melanie just rolled her eyes.

"Umm, like, nothing… but this chicken isn't going to bread and cook itself, so if you wanna help… Mama… then get over here!"

Freddie's Blonde Headed Demon was developing a very obnoxious personality. Sam just knew that this was going to end badly. What did this girl even know about food?

She was in the kitchen and to the sink in less than thirty seconds. Melanie was useless, as far as Sam was concerned.

"No, no, no, dammit! Do I have to teach you and the Nub both how to cook? Did you flunk Chicken at the fancy damn school of yours?"

Without thinking, Melanie did the most un-Melanie thing imaginable. She scooped up some of the flour-egg mixture and flung it at Sam, hitting her squarely across the face.

"Oh no you didn't, Princess!"

Melanie laughed.

Sam couldn't believe the audacity of this girl. Disrupt her kitchen? Improperly bread chicken? Assault her with breading?

"Okay, that tears it! It's on!"

By the time Carly walked through the front door two and a half hours later, Melanie was passed out on the sofa, her face covered in flour and bits of what looked like crushed chocolate cookies in her hair. Sam, not being totally heartless, had carried an exhausted Melanie to the sofa, much the way she would have Carly.

"Honey, I'm home…" Carly cooed, walking through the door. Seeing the kitchen, she stopped cold. Sam was covered in flour and her hair was a wreck.

"What the hell happened in here?"

"Melanie happened. Welcome home, Cupcake. I've missed you…"