o O o
A/N: First, it's been a long time, but readers will probably recall that the Heart of the Ocean was the brilliant blue diamond worn by Rose on the Titanic when she posed for her famous sketch. At the time the movie was originally released (yes, yes, I know - I didn't write the movie…) 20th Century Fox authorized a limited edition replica made by J. Peterman. These are collector's items now, and if you are willing to shell out several hundred dollars, you too can own a reproduction of that stunning piece.
Second, while Sam can't put her finger on the tune she's humming, I can, and since I like you all so much, I'm going to tell you what it is. All Your Life, by The Band Perry – apologies if you don't care for country, but it's relevant to Sam.
Third, (yes, I promise that I am in fact going to post an actual chapter after this excessively chatty author's note,) while I'm not a big fan of Disney channel shows, the notable exception (HUGE, really) is Phineas and Ferb , which has to be my favorite cartoon of all time. Alas, I didn't create that show either. The upcoming song and dance is a reference to "Rollercoaster: The Musical!" in which Phineas' trademark line, "I know what we're going to do today" is put to music.
o O o
As Spencer wrapped Sam's birthday present, the thought crossed his mind that it was as much for him as it was for her. He was in fact second-guessing himself, worrying that he was sending the wrong message, but he was so taken with the vision that he couldn't help himself. It had been the first and was still the most compelling – Sam and the Heart of the Ocean. He'd wondered if the sketch would be more powerful if it were an AFTER drawing instead of a before. Maybe, he'd thought, he should draw them both and find out. ..
o O o
Sam woke in her own bed on the morning of her eighteenth birthday and wished she were somewhere else. With some satisfaction she pondered the fact that she didn't actually have to stay here anymore. Sure, the school system had a claim on her for an ever-shortening span of time, but Pam Puckett was officially done. Would Spencer let her move in? Well, of course he would let her move in to the apartment, but would he let her move in with him? That was not at all the same thing. She sighed, probably not. He would want to do "the right thing," and wait until she graduated, although in her mind it was splitting hairs. What difference would two months make? On the other hand, did she really want to risk incurring the wrath of the absent Colonel Shay, who was still footing all the bills for Spencer's household? And Granddad Shay still kept an eye on things – surely he would see this as a bad influence on Carly, who wouldn't be 18 herself until July. Oh well – she'd put up with her mother for the last eighteen years. She supposed she could do it for a little while longer.
She dragged herself to the kitchen in search of something edible, which was probably a waste of time. Her mom was (surprisingly) still dating the vegetarian and the fridge was likely to be filled with nothing but bean sprouts and tofu. And here was the birthday note from Mom, (at least she remembered this year,) held up with a magnet that said "Everyone needs lovin'". "Touché Mother," Sam muttered under her breath as she scanned the message. "Happy birthday kid. I'm peelin potatoes with Stanley today so I'll be late. I know you've got a guy around somewhere; don't forget to pick up your pills. Ciao, Mom." Sam pocketed the twenty dollar bill that was stuck behind the note and shrugged. Typical.
Deciding to call her sister before jumping in the shower, Sam perched on a barstool and dialed. Straight to voicemail. Also typical. "Hey Mel, just calling to wish you a happy birthday. Hope everything goes your way today. Check in when you get a chance – can't wait to hear what the fabulous Neal has planned for you." In an unconscious echo of her mother, she signed off with "Ciao."
Even though she was 0 for 2 this morning on the birthday greetings, Sam stepped into the shower with a light heart. The rest of the day belonged to Spencer, and thus it could only get better. Humming a tune she couldn't quite place, Sam dressed quickly and slipped out of the house, headed for home.
o O o
Breakfast was waiting on the counter when Sam stepped off the elevator and into Spencer's arms. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and said "SO much better than sprouts!"
"Happy birthday Sam. I see you managed to miss the bus this morning, " he said with mock seriousness. "Just let me look around for my keys and –" She silenced him with a kiss.
"Silly me – I didn't miss the bus. I must have gotten on the wrong one! Oh well; I'm here now – may as well stay. Whatever shall we do today?"
"Well first you're going to eat your breakfast. Then you're going to open your birthday present, and THEN you can tell me what we're going to do today. I've cleared my extensive social calendar until 3PM – after that I expect the rest of your peeps will be arriving to help celebrate your birthday."
"Can't argue with that plan," she agreed, carefully constructing a sandwich out of the contents of her plate. She took a bite and closed her eyes. "I love you Spence," didn't quite come out that way around the mouthful of bacon and egg biscuit, but that was ok. It still made him smile.
He settled beside her at the counter and handed her a box wrapped in blue paper and curling silver ribbons. "Before you open it, I just want to tell you that I got it because I want you to have something to remind you that you're beautiful. "
She leaned in to kiss him. "I have you for that. I've already gotten everything I wanted for my birthday Spence; anything else is just icing on the cake."
Spencer perked up. "Hey, I made you a cake, and the oven didn't even catch on fire!"
"Well, it's still early," she teased, wiggling the ribbon off the end of the package. The box inside was covered in crushed velvet; Sam brushed her fingers lightly over the fabric before opening it.
"The necklace is a reproduction; it's crystal" he said quietly, "but I had the earrings made to match; those are real stones." The sapphires were set in white gold and had cost a small fortune, but he would never tell her that. She'd never accept them if she knew.
Sam simply stared. The Heart of the Ocean glittered back at her, a perfect miniature resting on either side. "This is really for me?" she breathed, not believing that anyone could value her so highly. "Spencer….no one has ever given me anything so beautiful. I'm just – blown away. I don't…. Spence, I don't even have the words; you know I don't. Thank you." Because she was much better at showing than telling, Spencer wasn't surprised when she vacated her seat in favor of his, and her arms slipped around his neck.
"They pale in comparison Mädchen, but I did the best I could."
She rested in his lap for a few moments before suddenly bouncing up with a puckish grin. Her feet tapped out a show tune rhythm and she warbled theatrically – "Hey Spence, I know what we're gonna do today…"
"And?"
"Surely you didn't give me the Heart of the Ocean and not think of Rose. Although I'm planning for us to come to a much better end," she added thoughtfully. "You and I have a date with a necklace." He could see the idea take hold; she was captivated by it. "You have to draw it Spence – it will be –"
"Breathtaking," he finished. "I was rather hoping you'd say that."
She turned to look at him speculatively. "You meant to draw it all along didn't you. It was the picture you needed me to sit for."
"It was your picture, yes," he admitted, "but that's not why I chose the gift. It's what gave me the idea for the gift, but I intend for you to have it whether or not you ever sit for the sketch. I don't want you to think that-"
"Spencer! I'm not angry with you. On the contrary," she laughed, flipping her T shirt carelessly onto the floor, "I'm…empowered. I'm energized. I'm…on top of the world. I'm Samantha Puckett, and today I am art. Adorn me Spence; there's an empty page waiting to be filled."
The vision flashed in front of his eyes, except this time she lived and breathed. The picture was Sam's and there was only one possible title for a work of this magnitude. The Goddess Awakes.