CHAPTER 44

~ Disbanding Bond ~

pt.2

- With Sammi & her Parents -

"Ron and I are going to take the next step and move in together."

There is no response so she continues.

"We've had an amazing summer together and it shows how much we've matured and grown. I think we're ready."

Sammi's Mother just shrugs but her Father scoffs and laughs a little quietly. Sam takes offense to this.

"What? Why are you laughing?"

He shakes his head.

Sam, "Why are you laughing? It's about frickin' time don't you think?"

Sammi's Mother chuckles a little bit with her Father and he speaks up.

"I don't know. You gotta admit it, your relationship with Ronnie…in the beginning it was rough."

Sam responds irritated, "So, what do you want me to do?"

Her Father replies, "I'm just sayin, the fighting got to be ridiculous. Don't you think?"

Sam repeats herself, "So what. I don't understand what you want me to do."

Sammi's Mother speaks up.

"I think what your Father means, is that we want you to think a little more about it before making this decision."

Sam rolls her eyes. "I'm at a good place in my life now. Can't I move on and forget about the past?"

Her Father now talks over her and they go back and forth.

"I hope you do forget about it."

There was a hidden message in that response, that Sammi almost didn't catch. She chooses to ignore it and she continues.

Sam, "Why even bring it up. I don't want to keep talkin about it. It's frickin' annoying, just drop it."

Sam's Father shakes his head and ends it. Sammi then turns to her Mother to talk about something else.

Meanwhile, Nicole looks over at Deena and responds.

"What's with you? You're quiet since coming back over. It's like you're hiding something? What gives?"

Deena, "Nothing."

Nicole, "Is your Mom and Dad still here?"

Deena replies with raised eyebrows, "Oh, they're gone."

Nicole, "Aw, I wanted to say bye."

Deena, "Fat chance of that now…(thinking)…Hell, I may not even see 'em."

Nicole is confused. "Huh?"

Deena shakes her head and changes the subject.

"Forget it. (Smiling) How's Lorenzo doing?"

Nicole beams, "He's perfect. I didn't want to leave him. He's home where he belongs with Jionni's Parents."

Deena, "That's good. Sorry I missed the birth."

Nicole, "It's cool. You had your drama you had to deal with and I didn't really tell anyone I was goin in early to do it. (Shrugging her shoulders) Consider us even now, I missed yours."

Even though they are talking again, Nicole still feels something coming from Deena but she doesn't bring it up anymore she just waves her on.

"Well, I think my Parents are leavin. Come say bye. They're dying to hear about 'Leena…"

Nicole stops mid-step and gasps. Deena looks at her.

"What?"

Nicole continues, "I just thought about something. (To Deena) Do you know that they have like, the perfect name together?"

Deena, "What are you talkin about?"

Nicole, " 'Leena and Lorenzo. I mean, I know that's not her full name but you know she'll always go by her nickname."

Deena laughs. "So do you think subconsciously we did that?"

Nicole, "I know we did. (Sighing) I can't wait until they date."

Deena shakes her head, "Can we get them out of diapers first?"

Nicole waves her off and continues to rant. Deena, glad to be distracted from her self-talk going on at the moment, just goes along with it while they find Nicole's Parents.

It is now the end of the night and the Housemates gather around the actual fire to put it out. It is the last thing they do and it reminds them of the last of many things to come as they kick sand into the hole.

Soon they make their way back to the Shore House to wind down before the next day.

-The Next Morning-

Today marks the last day of working at the Shore Store. Everyone is going in to work the last shift and it drives Danny crazy. Especially trying to keep Mike in line. Mike expresses that he will not miss Dannyriding his a** over never doing any work, though Mike doesn't seem to think so.

Pauly, Ronnie, Sammi, Vinny, and Jenni work at the counter with the shirt presses and Deena along with Nicole hang out near the register on the floor. Mike just hangs out on the floor talking to girls.

In no time at all, it is shift over and everyone is saying goodbye to Danny.

Nicole, "Last day at work! We'll miss you Danny!"

Deena, "I know. (Sad face) Merp!"

Danny hugs them together, "Come back to visit whenever you want. Take care of those little Meatballs, you Meatballs."

Deena and Nicole promise they will and Danny shakes his head unable to wrap it around the fact that they are Moms.

Everyone else takes his or her turns now. Danny has fun with Pauly.

"Hey, no more DTF's. You're a Father now."

Pauly laughs and jokes, "I can't make any promises."

Danny looks to him and responds.

"Careful. You don't wanna mess up a good thing."

Danny gives him a look and Pauly fully connects with him. It was a conversation that only they know about.

After everyone says goodbye they head out the front entrance onto the Boardwalk.

Pauly looks back, "It's like this is apart of me now. Danny and the Shore Store will always be apart of my life."

Nicole, "This is like home now. When Lorenzo gets old enough to start working, this will be the first place I'll send him. No questions asked."

Everyone smiles at her Snooki moment and looks back one more time before heading to the house.