"Karen, you are being ridiculous. Will you just eat something?" groaned Kristy as she watched her stepsister push her plate away untouched. "This is my Bridal shower and you are causing a scene!"

Claudia laughed as she watched Emily Michelle roll her eyes at Karen. Mary Anne began fiddling with her napkin nervously as usual whenever she would be present in an awkward situation.

"Karen, sweetie, this chicken is delicious and it is your sister's shower." Soothed Mary Anne. "Couldn't you just take a little bite?"

Karen crossed her arms defiantly. "I told you all!" she hissed through clenched teeth. "I will not eat until prisoners are treated fairly. They are human beings who should be able to enjoy quality of life."

"Be sure to keep her away from Dawn at the wedding…" whispered Mary Anne to Kristy.

Claudia slammed her hand on the table causing the women to jump. "Quality of life?" she spat out. "I think their right to a fair life ends when they break the law. If they can't abide by the rules why the hell should they have the same rights I do? Stop this stupid bullshit, eat your damn lunch and stop ruining this shower."

Claudia narrowed her eyes as Karen's face turned pale. "I swear to God, you are so concerned with taking a stand on absolutely anything when in reality, what you need to do Karen is take a good look in the mirror and realize what a selfish, spoiled brat you have been to your family when all they want is the best for you. Grow up!"

Claudia glanced up as Kristy flashed a huge grin at her. Wordlessly, Karen reached out for her plate and tentatively began cutting her chicken.

"So…um….where is the rehearsal dinner going to be again?" chattered Mary Anne nervously trying to ease the awkwardness.

An hour later as Kristy opened the last of her gifts, Claudia glanced out the window and felt her stomach turn when she saw Sam's car pull into the parking lot. She watched as he and Nigel exited the SUV and walked towards the restaurant. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat as Mary Anne looked at her sympathetically. As she heard Nigel's booming laugh she quickly blinked back the tears forming in her eyes. As Sam and Nigel walked in, a rush of emotions flooded through her. She quickly bent down and began gathering up bits of wrapping paper and ribbon from the floor and tried not to think of how miserable the last 4 months had been. Sam hadn't returned any of her calls or answered the door when she had gone over to explain things. I can't imagine how hurt he must have been when Mark showed up. But it's over with Mark and I. Sam is who I want to be with.

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"How you holding up Claud?" asked Stacey as they carried gifts out to load in Sam's SUV.

"As well as I can be I guess." Replied Claudia with a sigh. "I mean he won't talk to me, won't look at me, won't even acknowledge me. Plus-" just then Stacey collided into Claudia causing her to drop the gifts she was carrying onto the ground. As Stacey bent down to help her Claudia waved her off. "Look, just grab another load. The sooner I can get out of here the better." As Stacey quickly turned and walked back into the restaurant hiding her grin, Claudia buried her face in her hands as she tried to take deep breaths to stop from crying.

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"I don't know Kristy, it seems like we are sticking our nose into their business when they need to sort things out for themselves…" said Mary Anne as she looked out the window as Sam walked through the parking lot carefully balancing a stack of gifts.

"Mary Anne!" protested Kristy. "How long have you known me? Sticking my nose in other people's business is what I do best!" She chuckled and rubbed her hands together in delight. "See, Claudia is out there lamenting about her life, Sam is walking towards her clueless that she is there."

"and if I know your brother.." continued Nigel. "And jolly well I think I do! He will take one look at Claudia sitting there and they'll be back together in minutes. Wicked good planning, my brilliant bride to be!"

"and if I do say so myself-" began Stacey with a grin. "I think my collision with Claudia out there was an Oscar worthy performance."

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"What happened here?" wondered Sam aloud as he noticed scattered items around his car. He looked ahead and saw Claudia sitting with her back to him sitting on a curb. He watched her shoulders shake and instantly knew she was crying. With a deep sigh, he placed the items he was carrying into the back of his car. He slowly approached Claudia and put his hand hesitantly on her shoulder. Claudia stiffened at the touch then slowly turned her tear-stained face towards Sam.

He held out his hand as he said, "Claud? I think we need to talk."

Wordlessly Claudia nodded and placed her hand into Sam's.