Chapter 36: The Gifts You Gave Me

Sam's POV

If someone would have told me that I would be having a baby shower this year I would have told them they needed to be sent to a looney bin. Yet here I was sitting on the couch about to open presents for my little girls. Now that I was thoroughly stuffed and my nose had cleared up a little I was in much better spirits.

"Mine first, mine first, you'll never guess what it is," Cat squealed as she handed me her gift. It was a huge box so I was pretty excited. I ripped through the paper eagerly like I always did with presents and then looked at her puzzled. There were two rather large stuffed pink giraffes. "Aren't they just adorable? I got one for each baby!"

"They are … something. Whenever I look at them I'll think of you," I muttered and Carly snickered.

"You wanna open Jade's next and then Max's gift. I wanna go last. They always save the best for last," Carly said as she slid Jade's present my way. I unwrapped the big box and it was a massive box of diapers. It wasn't the most original thing in the world.

"Trust me, I looked the same way when people gave me diapers at my baby shower, trust me you'll thank me later. I did get you this too, because everyone loves fun gifts." Jade got up and pulled a big gift basket full of baby things out for me. It had a whole bunch of purple things and baby clothes, powder, lotion, and blankets.

"Oh my God Jade, this … too much! I just. I would get up and hug you but I'm kinda stuck," I explained.

"It's okay I'm still not but so big on the whole human contact thing," she snickered. "Glad you like it."

"Okay Max, where's your gift?" I put my hands on my hips. Max's gifts were to die for you always gave me the unexpected.

"Well it comes in two parts kind of like Jade's gift. I had gotten one of these for myself when … a while ago. I thought you would like these since we both like to document things," Max explained before handing me the two memory books. They were only wrapped in a purple silk ribbon and contained a note that said treasure your blessing and don't forget a minute. A tear threatened to escape me, my damned hormones.

"They are beautiful Maxine," I whispered.

"Ugh, I hate being called Maxine, you know that," we chuckled and the she too got up and went outside. She came back with a stroller filled with baby clothes. "I know you haven't been out much since your house have been invaded. I thought you may need some of these things. I know all of this has come as a surprise to you and I know you haven't done much shopping for the babies so … yeah clothes." I pulled the two seated stroller over to where I was seating. She had to have put a lot of money into this. I was blown away and as I looked at the clothes I glanced at Max. Even though she was smiling I could tell there was some sadness there.

"Thank you Max. I know one day soon I'll be doing something very similar for you … of course it won't be anywhere near as awesome," I chuckled.

"I'll hold you to that," she said quietly. We all rifled through most of the clothing. Max did a really good job of matching everything up. After a few minutes Carly got up and cleared her throat.

"Okay now it's time for my gift. I really hope you're going to like it. I've been pretty busy while you been locked away in your bedroom. I know you been trying to shield yourself from the crazies but there was matter of business that needed to be handled and handled pretty quickly seeing you are about to pop." Carly offered me her hand to assist me in getting up. We all traveled to the room that I'd designated as a guest room.

"You're either going to love or hate this," she whispered before opening the door. She revealed her transformation. Two magnificent oak cribs, walls draped in lavender, a rocking chair, a dresser, and a changing table. I smoothed my hand over one of the cribs and my eyes allowed a couple of tears to escape me. It was so real now. I could see them here resting, living and breathing.

"Oh God," I whispered as I took a deep breath to avoid the mini panic attack I was trying to have.

"You okay Puckell?" Cat asked and I nodded but I couldn't turn around and look at them. Seeing all this made me realize who I really wanted to be sharing all this with but I'd told him to work. I really wish I hadn't been so logical.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Carly … you've all help me so much. I don't know what to say."

"Hang on there's one more gift," Carly said she went to the top dresser and pulled out her laptop. It was a really weird place for it to be but I was sure it was there for a reason. She set it down on the changing table and logged into chat.

"Hola Chicas!" Freddie came through loud in clear. That nub knew about this the whole time.

"Sammy, you know how much I wanted to be there. I hope that you are enjoying you baby shower. It's good to see you up and out of our room. I wanted to make something for our kids that would explain to them that since the day I've met you … you've been the only woman I couldn't ignore. The woman that consumed my brain. So without further ado … here's my tribute to you Samantha Puckett. I love you more than words can express." His face disappeared and his video began. He put together a montage that pretty much summed up the story of our lives together. He had A LOT of footage of me. I was so touched. I didn't think I could feel emotion like this. It was great it was just too much.

"Stop it! Stop it! Shut it off!" I sobbed and Freddie's face popped back up with worry. I tried to wipe the tears.

"What's wrong Sam you don't like it?"

"No! I don't like that you're not here and seeing all this just reminds me how much … I miss you," I cried harder. "I miss you so much!" I went to turn around and everyone looked shocked and my mom and Mrs. Benson even looked sad for me. I ran as best as I could to my room and locked the door.

Even though everyone was here I felt even more alone that when I had started.

Author's Note: This wasn't supposed to be a sad chapter. I don't know what happened. I think might have been the music I was listening. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I will bringing this story to a close soon.