After dinner Sam walked over to her new dresser. "So how attached are you to the little table by the door to your room?"

"I like the little lamp but the table can go or stay. Why?"

"I was thinking this dresser might look nice on that wall. You can put the little lamp on it."

Jack walked up behind her and put his arms around her. He kissed the side of her neck. "I love that idea."

By the end of the next day they had over three feet of snow. The ropes turned out to be helpful for their twice daily trips to the barn. The animals were sick of being trapped in the barn but neither Jack nor Sam felt like having to chase them to get them back in.

After struggling back into the house and shedding their wet clothes Jack went into the bedroom and Sam curled up on the sofa. Jack came back out to the living room carrying a piece of paper.

"Happy Birthday, beautiful."

"What?"

"Did you forget your birthday?"

"I wasn't paying attention to the date."

"We actually slept through most of it."

Sam took the paper from him. He had drawn some of the Uraba constellations on it and written happy birthday on the inside "It's beautiful. I love it."

"I'm also going to make you an amazing dinner."

"I'm already excited."

Jack grinned. "That's my goal."

They spent the next three days enjoying the snow and each other. They ate too much, slept a lot, and spent plenty of time naked. It was the best vacation they'd had in years.

"This one?" Sam traced a thin faint scar on Jack's hip.

"I wrecked while I was bike riding when I was eleven. I was dared to jump a gulley and I didn't make it."

"Of course you took the dare."

"Well duh. I was a head strong eleven-year-old." Jack traced a scare just above her right hip. "Your turn."

"Ovarian torsion with an appendectomy on the side. I was twelve."

"No big story to go with that I guess."

"Actually, I was at summer camp, you know, one of the ones for military brats."

"Yeah."

"I ate a huge lunch. I swear I went back for at least thirds. I'd been asked to go repelling with the younger campers to show them how easy it was. I started to feel bad on the drive but I didn't say anything until we were there and I was getting into my gear. I threw up when I was about a quarter of the way down the cliff. The counselor pulled me back up so I ended up with scraps on my arms and legs. I laid there while all the other kids went down the cliff. Then we had a two hour drive to get back to camp. Once we got back they called my dad and my brother came in from the teen camp to sit with me until my dad arrived. Of course once my dad heard the whole story he was unhappy that I had let the counselors down. He figured I had just over eaten but thankfully my brother threw a fit and insisted something was wrong. He knew I hadn't taken a nap since I was two, something my mother regularly complained about, and not only was I napping but I was asleep in a brightly lit room. I never even had a night light as a kid because I preferred a pitch black room. My dad was embarrassed by my brother's fit but caved and took me to the hospital. They ended up doing exploratory surgery. My left ovary was twisted and not getting blood. The surgeon was great. He made a small incision assuming it was going to be appendicitis and ended up fixing my ovary on the opposite side without making a bigger incision. He went ahead and took out my appendix while he was in there."

"So what happened to the guy at the bottom of the cliff?"

"Huh?"

"When you threw up, what happened the poor guy at the bottom?"

"Oh, that. It was close but I missed him. He did gag for quite a while though."

"All the kids were still willing to go down the cliff?"

"Some took a bit of coaxing but they all went."

"Were you an adventurous kid?"

"Oh, yeah, especially after my mother died. I was willing to try almost anything to get my dad's attention. My brother was the quiet stay inside and read kind of kid so I had to find my own niche. Don't get me wrong, I read plenty, but I was just as likely to ride off into the woods and climb a pile of rocks. I had my share of bumps and bruises but I think my dad respected that."

"I would have liked to know you as a kid."

"I doubt it. I had a heck of a chip on my shoulder and let's be honest when I was a kid you were in college. It would have just been creepy."

"Nice way to remind me that I'm old as sin."

"Oh, please. You're just experienced." She kissed him on his scraggly cheek.

"Uggg." Jack put his arm over his face.

Sam rolled out of bed. "You've certainly been keeping up with me old man."

Jack grinned. "I have haven't I." He swatted her rear as she went past him to the bathroom.

"Hey."

The snow melted quickly and Sam headed back to work. The change in her demeanor didn't escape Jamale.

"Welcome back Samantha. The snow seems to have made you very happy."

"I enjoyed it. It was beautiful. Does it usually snow that much?"

"That was an average snow but usually our first snow is less impressive."

"Jack and I have been talking and we want to look into getting a truck. Our bill at Marl's is almost paid off and our next goal is going to be a faster and safer way for me to get to town. The bike is wonderful but not really a great way to get around in the snow."

"That old bike is certainly not cut out for winter travel. Let Marl know you are interested in a vehicle. He has contacts in Sarl and Moshal and he might also know if someone local is interested in selling their vehicle. I'll keep my ears open too."

"Thanks."

It was just after midday when Jorl showed up.

"Hello, Samantha."

"Hi, Jorl."

"Did you complete your harvest before the early snow?"

"Yes, did you?"

"Of course. I have successfully finished a third harvest for more than a decade. Few others can make the same claim."

"That is very impressive."

"Thank you. Are you busy this evening? If not I would be pleased to have you over for dinner."

"I'm sorry but Jack is expecting me home tonight." This statement grabbed the attention of Jamale and his sons as well as Jorl.

"Really? I thought you usually stayed one night in town when you came to work."

"I did but I don't think I'll be doing that quite as much."

"Oh, well you are still welcome to come to dinner and I can take you home after."

"I appreciate the offer but Jack is expecting me home for dinner."

"I see." Jorl leaned over her workbench and whispered. "I am a patient man and I don't give up easily."

Sam was so shocked she didn't even get to respond before Jorl left. As soon as Jorl was out the door Jamale started laughing.

"That man can't take a hint can he?"

"I need to find a polite way to let him know I am not interested."

"I'm afraid he's not going to quit as long as you are eligible young maiden."

"There are so many things wrong with that sentence."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Jamale leaned on her bench. "Perhaps it is time you make it clear that you don't consider yourself an eligible young maiden."

"I'm open to ideas."

"When a widow is in mourning she wears a black ribbon necklace with her commitment pendent on it. As long as it shows she is not interested in being courted. Once she hides it under her blouse or takes it off she is receptive to being courted again."

"I'm not a widow though."

"Uncommitted men and women in a serious relationship wear tokens given by their love. The tokens can be something as simple as a ribbon or as elaborate as jewelry but either way it lets others know you are unavailable."

"A visible token. That sounds reasonable."

"It does?" Jamale's eyebrows rose.

"Yes, it does. I hope you're fine with me leaving early so I am home before dark."

Jamale stood back up. "Of course I am."

"Thank you."

"And you are welcome to come as often or an infrequently as you wish this winter. I know the trip can be daunting in the cold."

"I appreciate that."

Sam finished her work and headed home. The ride seemed longer than usual even though she made good time. She tried to think about productive topics but her mind kept coming back to Jack, specifically a naked Jack.

The house smelled good when she walked in. Jack was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

"What time will…" Sam's question was interrupted by the ding of the oven timer. Jack stood up.

"Welcome home. You were saying?"

"I was asking what time dinner was going to be ready but I guess that's a mute question."

Jack took some cornbread out of the oven. "The breads ready and I can serve up the soup and salad any time you're ready. Why? Are you hungry?"

Sam walked towards the bedroom. "I am but not for soup." Her coat dropped to the floor. "If you don't hurry I'll start without you."

Jack dropped the cornbread on the stove and turned the heat down on the soup. "I don't know if that's a threat or a promise."

"Get in here and find out."

Sam took total control and Jack was thrilled with the result.

"That was freaking amazing. Are you gonna come home from work like this every day? Cause if so I need to start working out more."

"Sorry."

"Don't you dare apologize one little bit. Like I said that was amazing."

Sam grinned as her cheeks turned red. She buried her face against his neck.

"I am still curious what I did to get such marvelous treatment."

Sam sighed into his neck. "I had a lot of time to think on the ride home."

"This is what you were thinking about?"

"Yes."

"Mmmmmmm…I love it."

Jack took a shower after dinner. When he came out Sam was in her old room. He peeked his head through the door. She was sitting on the bed with a variety of small items from Earth spread out in front of her.

"What're you doing?"

"Looking for something."

"What?"

"I'm not sure actually."

"Well, that makes sense."

Sam looked over at him and scowled. "Ha ha. You're so funny."

Jack leaned against the doorframe. "And you're not making any sense."

"Jorl came by the shop today. He asked me to dinner again."

"And yet you came home."

Sam's scowl deepened. "Not funny. I need to find a way to get him to understand I am not interested. Jamale suggested that I wear something to indicate I'm not on the market."

"Something?"

"It can be anything, like a ribbon or pin. I was thinking I'd pick something from Earth." Jack pushed off the doorframe and sat beside her on the bed. He looked at the items in front of her and shook his head.

"So how exactly does wearing something indicate you aren't on the market?"

"Apparently if you are in a serious relationship but not committed you can wear a token from your significant other to let others know you are off the market."

"Committed? As in locked away?"

Sam giggled. "It is the Uraba version of getting married."

"Guess this isn't the right time to say something smart ass about how commitment sounds like the right choice of words."

Sam nudged his arm. "I know you don't really think that way."

He got up and went to his room. Sam heard a drawer open and close. His hand was closed in a fist when he came back into her room.

"How about this?" Jack opened his hand. Sam looked at the rainbow colored yarn woven bracelet.

"Where did you get this?" Sam picked the bracelet up by one end.

"Cassie made it for me years ago. I've kept it in my wallet ever since."

"It isn't exactly military issue."

"No, not exactly. I think Cassie would be fine with me loaning it to you to help keep a creepy old dude from hitting on you."

"He isn't creepy."

"Whatever. Will this serve your purpose?"

"Yes, thank you. Will you put it on me?" Jack took the bracelet from her and tied the ends together so it was secured around her left wrist.

"So what do committed people wear to let people know they've been committed?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Pendants. Ladies wear them on necklaces or bracelets. All the men I've seen wear them on necklaces but I guess they can wear them on bracelets too."

"How does one get committed?"

"There's a ceremony. It sounds like you invite your friends over for dinner and announce your commitment to live as one."

Jack took her hand. "As one."

"Yes."

He kissed her knuckles. "Like we're doing."

"Yes."

He leaned towards her. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers. He didn't pull away when the kiss ended. "We still have that large roast in the freezer. If you didn't want to use that we could bag a large deer and roast it."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying we're committed and we ought to have a celebration with our friends so they'll know. We can invite Jorl if you'd like."

"We've been together for a week."

"Oh please, we've been in love for years. I know this is for forever. Don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then let's have a party."

Sam's eyes locked with his. "Years?"

"Yes."

"How many years?"

"I just said I love you and you're concerned about how many years I've loved you?"

"Yes." Sam kissed him lightly. "Since when?"

"If I'm being totally honest I was attracted from the moment you started talking about having your sex organs on the inside."

Sam put her head down on his shoulder. "I was so embarrassed."

"It was hilarious. The guys loved it. They brought it up for weeks. Trust me, having a comeback was much better than looking meek."

Sam shook her head.

"So how about you?"

She picked her head up off his shoulder "Huh?"

"When did you fall in love with me?"

She smiled. "I liked how you looked at me in that ridiculous dress but I didn't admit my interest in you to myself until we were freezing to death at the pole."

"I was glad you were there."

Sam looked away. Jack put his hand up and turned her face back towards him. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"It was Sarah you called out for."

"Oh." He rubbed her cheek. "I bet I thought you were her."

"That's what I assumed at the time."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't exactly with it you know."

"I know and even if you had said my name we were exactly at a point where we could have done anything about how we felt."

"Also true." He kissed her again. "But now we can have a party and tell everyone we know that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together having tons of hot sweaty sex."

"Are you planning on putting the hot sweaty sex bit into our commitment speech?"

"If I can subtly work it in."

Sam slapped his arm. "You are so bad."