Hi, everyone!
Jeez, it's been a while since the last update. That's quite sad. A lot has happened since the last publication, such as breakups, the nice boss leaving the company, moving out, and just dealing with life.
There's been some upsides, not all depressing, lol. I hope all of you guys are doing great. If not, you got my support and everything's gonna be alright in the end.
Perhaps this update will cheer some of you guys up. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Totally Spies! nor Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (trans: Something Happens)
Present Day - Tim's Home
"Dear Lord, with your help and mercy, please keep this family together. Please protect my beloved son, Tim, my darling granddaughter, Samantha…" Jennifer prayed.
Child Sam peeped the photo of adult Sam from the white envelope, looked up at the portrait of Jesus Christ and winked at the painting.
Tim hurried in, took his shoes off, and sat down next to Sam. "Hey, there, doll. Happy Birthday!" They shared their father-daughter handshake.
"...and make Tim and Sam focus on these prayers," Jennifer loudly called them out.
Tim muttered an apology before closing his eyes.
Meanwhile, Sam placed the casing between her palms and began swaying side to side. She clapped her hands together, though the sound was muffled by the envelope. Tim heard the strange sound, opened his eyes again to glance at his daughter. The precious child had a smile on her face. He gently extracted the document from her palms and placed it on the floor in front of her.
"Good morning, Ms. Scam!" greeted the man over the phone.
"Good morning, Mr. Fitzgerald!" Jennifer replied cheerfully.
"Can you hear me? I'm using wifi calling!" He eyed his reflection in the mirror while guiding the dye brush.
"Yes, yes, loud and clear!" confirmed Jennifer.
"So, you guys are coming over tomorrow?"
"Absolutely. And we'll be taking the car."
"Oh that two o'clock one?"
"Yes, yes, that two o'clock one."
Jennifer tapped the shoulder of the house maid to hang up a flower garland. "What are you doing?" she exclaimed in alarm when he whipped the napkin around her face, as if Jennifer had a layer of dust all over her.
"Me? I-I'm just - putting on some cover up," Mr. Fitzgerald was puzzled.
"No, no, sorry," Jennifer handed the garland to the maid. "I was talking to our hire from Los Angeles."
"Oh, okay, okay. So- so, I'm going to meet you tomorrow," Mr. Fitzgerald placed the brush down.
"You better remember cause last time you forgot!" Jennifer called out, wagging her finger.
Mr. Fitzgerald laughed. "Aw, don't worry! I'll surely remember this time around!"
"And the anniversary things…?" he asked.
"Ah, yes. Bringing those would be good. Okay, alright, thank you," Jennifer hung up.
The maid stood in pride with a wide smile, waiting for his employer's approval.
"AAAH!" Jennifer yelled upon seeing the garland draped over her photo. The maid flapped his arms as he fell to the floor.
Sam's Room
MS flashed on the TV screen in capital purple font with The Mandy Show glowing in red across the emblem.
The camera transitioned to a group of adults dancing around. Mandy flipped her hair to face the camera.
"Hey, guys, this is Mandy and you're watching your favorite show, The Mandy Show!" she announced.
Sam happily cuddled a blue pillow as she stared at her TV idol in awe.
"In today's episode, we're going to be doing something a tad bit different," Mandy explained as she walked across the beach. "We're gonna play a game!"
"Do you guys wanna play a game?" she asked the people around.
"Yayyyy!" they agreed. Mandy giggled.
Sam nodded along, even though Mandy would never see it.
"How do you play? Well, you simply say what's in your heart when I say the word."
"Ooooh," replied the audience.
"You have to say the first related word that comes to mind when I start you off." Mandy was now weaving through the crowd as she stated the rules.
"But, but, but, there will be no time to think about the term."
Since she was walking backwards, Mandy accidentally bumped into a guy. "Ah!" she complained.
"We'll start with you then," she pointed to the guy in blue. "Cloud," she then offered the microphone.
"Ummm," the guy pondered.
"Sorry, time's up!" Mandy moved on.
"Crazy," Mandy told the next contestant.
"Michael," he replied.
"Okay. Beautiful," Mandy placed the microphone to the following person.
He spun a volleyball on his finger. "Mandy."
"Hey, thanks!" she brushed a hair aside then moved further into the mass.
"Heart?" she asked the guy in yellow.
He raised his hands in a 'I guess?' stance. "Love?"
"Okay, uh, love."
"Sabrina," he glanced at the girl next to him.
"What? You love me?" she clasped her heart in surprise.
"Yayyy!" the guy in yellow cheered, also making Sabrina holler.
Mandy already adored this couple. She faced the people at home. "Hey, guys, this game really works."
Sam pondered about playing this game with her dad.
"You see how the heart speaks straight from the mouth. Definitely try this game at home. We'll be back from the break. Take a break!"
Sam was absolutely elated at The Mandy Show and her brilliance.
"Yooooo!" she pointed at the TV.
Living Room
"Stupid game, stupid Mandy," is what Tim had to say after Sam explained the rules. He adoringly booped her nose and chin.
Sam put her hands on her hips. "Dad, please don't call Mandy stupid," she begged, her pigtails swinging.
Tim chuckled at his daughter's plea. "Alright, I won't. Come on now." He turned around, bent over slightly, and felt Sam climb onto his back for a piggyback ride. "Explain how the game works."
"Okay, Dad. Ready?"
"Hm."
"Start." "Hm."
"Goooo!"
"Sexy!" They were now passing the kitchen as Jennifer was mixing something in a bowl.
"Uh, Grandma!" She was appalled at her son's commentary and raised a hand as a threat.
"Shut up, naughty!"
"Dad, you're not taking it seriously!" Sam whined from his back. Tim paused to take a sip of water.
"Cloud," Sam waited for an answer.
Gulp, gulp.
"Dad, you can't take your time," Sam tapped his chest.
"Mmmhmmm, I had to drink some water," Tim wiped his face.
"Alright, I'll take your game seriously now and won't take my time. You can finally start."
Sam bounced in glee.
"Cloud."
"Air," Tim replied.
"Crazy."
"You," he nuzzled his nose against her cheek.
"Love?"
"Friends."
"Samantha?"
Tim put his daughter on the sofa. "Simpson," he answered without thinking. Adjusting his coat collar, he realized Sam's strategy made more sense.
"Aaaaand who might this Samantha Simpson be?" Sam crossed her arms.
Tim scrambled for a clever response or perhaps even a little white lie.
He nervously laughed, turning his face away.
"Who's she?" pressed Jennifer, appearing out of nowhere.
He held out his hands. "No one," Tim insisted.
"Come on, Dad, it's my birthday!" Sam whined.
"Okay, it's your birthday," Tim mocked, tickling her stomach.
"Sam Simpson used to be one of my college classmates, hm?" He hoped this would satisfy their curiosity.
"Ooh, in college?" Jennifer surmised. Sam leaned on her grandma's shoulder.
Tim stood near the stairway, hands on the wide wooden railing. "My friend," he further confessed.
"Friend? Mmhmm," Jennifer and Sam teased.
"Yup. My very best friend." Tim reminisced.
"She sounds nice, Dad. How is she doing right now?" Sam inquired.
"Sa-man-tha," Tim stretched out his daughter's name as he settled on the bottom stair. He motioned for the two ladies to further hear out the story.
"She wasn't like the other girls. Rather, she mostly hung out with the guys."
A female hand laden with golden bangles rotated her wrist.
"And all the other girls wore makeup, but Sammie?" Tim recalled fondly, "Sammie played basketball."
The same woman lined her upper eyelid with kohl. She opened her eyes to reveal emerald irises.
"As for clothes, she wore the same ones as me."
Sam and Jennifer giggled.
"No, seriously!"
A long rectangular cream colored silk scarf waved in the air.
"A wonderful person, my Sammie," Tim slowly blinked as his mind brought back the memories.
This was one of the very few times both grandma and daughter had ever seen him genuinely smile.
"Beauty, intelligence, and spirit. No one else had it like her."
A golden earring nestled on her ear.
He reached out for Sam's arm and plopped her on his lap. Tim rested his cheek on her scalp. "You got anything else to ask?"
There was one thing…
"Dad, where is she?"
Tim's heart sank at this question. "I don't know," he admitted.
Simpson Mansion - Sam's Bedroom
Samantha Simpson.
Decked in a golden gown decorated with a multitude of sequins and rhinestones in elegant patterns, she turned around to face the commotion of her college friends.
Gabriella Simpson strided into the room, carrying a large platter of flowers. She had the brightest smile on her face when she noticed her daughter.
"Aw, Sammie, I can't believe today is your engagement day!"
Blushing, Sam inspected a piece of jewelry in her hands.
"And, listen, the priest is arriving to set your wedding date, yes," Gabriella mentioned.
Sam acknowledged her mom's reminder. "Could you show me that necklace?" Clover handed the indicated ornament to Sam.
"What are you still choosing jewelry for? David's waiting for your arrival!" Gabriella was becoming impatient.
"Tell him to wait. This bride is gonna be taking her time," Sam replied.
"Ooooh, I'm so excited to see her!" Alex squealed as she bounced up and down. Clover smiled. "Girl, she looks fantabulous!"
"Aaaah!" the brunette screamed, making several guests glare at her.
"Sorry," she muttered.
"The future bride is on the way!" announced a relative.
The crowd gasped as Sam descended the grand staircase in her purple and gold aura. Gabriella had plenty of lights installed in time for the engagement party, and it was well worth the investment as the radiance on her daughter's gown glittered brilliantly, no doubt being caught on film.
"She looks radiant!" Alex whispered.
"Sam, you are glowing!" Clover called.
"My precious granddaughter," her grandma placed a hand over heart in endearment. "Children sure do grow up fast."
David held out his hand to help Sam to her chair. The couple sat down, fidgeting with their clothes and hair, despite being dressed to the nines.
Ding ding ding tinkled a champagne glass. Gabriella placed the spoon on a platter.
"Ladies and gentleman, family and friends, thank you so much for being here during the special moment of my daughter, Samantha, and future son-in-law, David."
The crowd clapped thunderously as they whooped and hollered.
Gabbie held up her hand to cease the din.
"Now, I would like to open the ceremony by having several of us say some tributes to tonight's couple. First off, to Sam, my wonderful girl I thoroughly enjoyed raising…"
As Gabriella prattled on, Sam's mind ambled down a lengthy hallway lined with a myriad of doors. It opened a specific door with three letters carved into the wood: T.S.S.
"Why those three?" Sam thought.
A flood of memories spilled over, much like Pandora's Box, when the gate opened.
Tim. Skylar. Sam.
Malibu University.
Basketball games with her best friend. (Well, once, and since Sam realized how much of a backstabber he truly was.)
Skylar. That slut.
"Wait, hold on. Did I just call Skylar a 'slut' with ease?" Sam pondered in horror.
"Mmhmm, you sure did," the voice in her head affirmed.
"What the-"
"No time for introductions. I've been here your whole life. Well, ever since you grasped your existence, that is. When you were angry at Tim betraying you, I heard all your thoughts and feelings. You wanted so badly to tell off Skylar, to let her know who was boss and that Tim was never for her taking."
Sam felt beads of sweat on her forehead protruding through the Giorgio Armani foundation.
"The final straw for you was when Tim believed you into thinking he reciprocated your love. You never felt more humiliated. You resented Skylar more than usual. Many years later, David came along and made you feel whole and complete. You were satisfied. But, I doubt you're satisfied."
Sam's eyes flitted around as she tried to make it appear that she was listening to the toasts from her family and friends.
"You still love Tim."
"Sam?" Clover's voice sounded through the thick layers of memories. "You feeling okay?"
Sam blinked as she realized her vision had gone blurry from sudden tears. "When did I start crying?"
"Awww, she's getting emotional!" an aunt exclaimed.
"Uh, yeah, that's it. I'm - I'm very happy. Marriage is - is one emotional ride," Sam meekly replied as she wiped her tears away.
"Is my eyeliner messed up?" Clover lifted her chin to inspect the waterline. "Nope," the blonde confirmed.
"Thanks," Sam whispered.
"Honey, you alright?" Gabbie wasn't completely convinced Sam had been crying happy tears.
"Yes, mom, I'm fine. Don't worry," Sam flipped her hair back.
"I just don't think so," Gabbie thought. "Alright, everyone. Let's begin the engagement party!"
It was reaching midnight when David finally slid the ring on her left hand.
"WHOOOO!" The crowd hollered as streamers and confetti showered everyone.
Sam slid the ring back on his left hand. He leaned over to kiss her cheek.
"Oh my gosh. I'm really going to be married to David," Sam forced herself to be happy about the upcoming nuptials.
Normally, her adrenaline would be pumping full of energy. She could easily bounce off the walls without much effort. Her cheeks would be sore from all the smiling, her skin would be glowing from all the hormones.
"Maybe this one will take time," Sam reasoned with herself.
Fitzgerald Home
Child Sam sat in the center of her grandpa's couch between Jennifer and Mr. Fitzgerald. Skylar's posthumous letter had been divided among the adults.
Mr. Fitzgerald blinked back tears as he read through his late daughter's letters. He yearned for her presence every day; his home felt emptier than ever without his two beloved women.
Jennifer's mind kept rewinding to the baby shower and Sam's eventual birth.
"These are old addresses, where's her new place? How am I supposed to take you there if I don't know?" Mr. Fitzgerald asked. He was becoming frustrated with traveling in circles in search of Samantha Simpson. Every time he hoped a new detail would emerge, it just turned out to be unrelated or completely useless.
"What, Grandpa?" the girl complained. She, too, was becoming a centimeter close to imploding from the endless telephone books and papers scattered on the desk in front of them.
"How do you expect me to know?"
"Well, you're the one who read those letters, surely you know where she is?" he challenged.
"Really?" Jennifer closed the book. "The principal doesn't even know the whereabouts of his own students, what can he do?" She sassily strode out of the room.
"Oh, come on, how am I-" An idea sprang into mind. "One sec." He snapped his fingers. "I know someone who would absolutely be crucial to this search."
Mali-U Girls' Dorm
Sister Edith knelt on the floor, praying in front of Christ. She slightly flinched, having been aware that there was someone else in the room.
"Mr. Fitzgerald, sir?" The nun approached the guests, confused as to why the principal had returned suddenly.
"Listen, Sister, I'm sorry for bothering you, but we have a pressing issue," and he began explaining the dilemma. The nun listened to what he had to say.
"Would you happen to know where she is?"
"I - I don't know where Samantha is," she hesitantly replied. "Truth is, when Sam left all those years ago, she explicitly told me to not pass down the information to anyone else and -"
"Sister?" The nun looked down at child Sam.
"My name is Samantha, would you not tell me?" Her pigtails swung back and forth for extra drama.
The nun couldn't exactly deny a child, as perhaps she could be in dire need of adult Sam. Albeit, this would also mean breaking the trust of her favorite pupil.
"I'm sorry. I promised Samantha to not inform anyone who was searching for her. She's had her engagement party tonight, and is planning on getting married at the end of this week, as according to the Father of their church. Her mother heavily takes his words into consideration," the nun finally surrendered the truth.
Sam's heart sank to the pit of her stomach at the news. She backed away from the adults, panicking and muttering, "This can't happen. Sam can't get married to someone else, Mom said so. She has to be with my dad."
Simpson Mansion
"Father, here are the birth charts for Samantha and David," Gabriella informed the priest. "I would like to get an idea of the wedding date, please."
"Yes, dear," the priest replied. He glanced at the documents presented on the lush pillows.
"So, we have a slight issue. David is set to head off on a business trip next month and it's in Paris. And, if you could, we'd like a wedding date for the end of this week."
"This week?" The priest was quite surprised at the cramped time.
"Yes, Father," Gabriella confirmed.
Mali-U Girls' Dorm
The young girl forbade herself from crying in order to remain strong about the current predicament.
The adults were occupied with their chatter, briefly ignoring Sam. It wasn't until Mr. Fitzgerald paused mid sentence and motioned for the ladies to look ahead of them.
Sam had wrapped her little self in a long scarf. She knelt down for prayer with her hands folded, forehead tense in concentration.
Simpson Mansion
The priest glanced at Sam and David's birth charts, then back at Gabriella. An ominous facial expression is what made Sam's mom slightly hyperventilate.
He laid out the birth charts on the satin pillows for one more examination, though the past several ones already dictated, more or less, the same story.
Mali-U Girls' Dorm
Sam continued praying, even if it meant being there the entire day and night.
Simpson Mansion
After multiple analyses, the priest finally caved in to report his findings.
"For some reason, I'm seeing Mars not being in favor of Sam. It appears heavy with emotional feelings; you could almost say turmoil and sadness. I'm sorry, but the marriage isn't happening this week."
"There's no possible date, not even for next month?" Gabriella's heart clenched.
Mali-U Girls' Dorm
R-rrring r-rring r-rrring startled the grown ups who were staring at Sam the entire time.
"Excuse me," the nun walked over to the receiver. "Hello?" she greeted. The voice on the other end spoke rapidly.
Smiling, the nun hung up the phone. "The Lord has listened to the child's prayers. Until December, Samantha isn't getting married."
Sam inwardly smiled at the good news.
Simpson Mansion
Sam grunted as she removed the gold bangles off her wrists. The ceremony ended hours ago, so of course, it was nearing 2 AM when she finally had the chance at removing her makeup, outfit, and jewelry to prepare for sleep.
"God, my feet hurt, too," she grimaced when stretching her ankle. The shoes in combination with the dancing certainly placed a toll on her feet.
Gabriella sat on the bed. She placed a hand on her thigh as Sam wrestled with another arm jewel.
"Sammie, could I ask you something?"
Sam looked up. "Of course, Mom. What is it?"
"Don't take this into offense. I just want to ask: are you happy, dear?"
This made Sam stare directly at her mom's face to see if she was being serious. Sam's face quickly shifted to smiling as she stood up and paced. "What kind of a question is this, Mom? Of course I'm happy. I got engaged today to David, who is a great guy who loves me very much." Sam reached the corner of her room, lifted her leg on a stool to begin removing the ankle jewelry.
"And he-"
"But, do you love him?" Gabriella cut in.
Since her mother wasn't watching, it was easy for Sam to remain quiet.
"Sammie?"
Perhaps not.
She continued fiddling with the anklet, though as a distraction. Sam didn't see the point in avoiding her mother's question, so she turned around and perched on the cushion stool.
"I've already been in love, mom. I've already been in love. It's just," she pointed to her ring, "I've settled on a compromise. I'm not entirely sure that I love David, only that he loves me, and well, what if I can't get anyone else like David?"
This made Gabriella nearly faint. "I've never heard of such a thing. My own daughter, fully deserving of love and adoration, trades that for a…compromise? Only because she's not confident in her love for another man? I am a mother, and want my daughter to be happy, and for you to live a peaceful wedded life. Dear, a household solely relying on couples' conditional agreements is not a fair marriage; it's unequal. But, the rest is up to your mercy."
Gabriella departed as she left Sam to her own fate. She repeated her mother's words on a loop in her mind.
Basketball Court
Tim entered the gymnasium alone. A smile played on his face as memories washed over his mind.
A group of orange basketballs caught his eye. They were placed in the middle of the court.
Tim selected a ball, and held it in front of his face for a second. He shifted the ball to his right hand, then snapped the fingers of his left, pointing directly at his goal.
Train Station
Mr. Fitzgerald waved bye and flashed a thumbs up.
Sam and Jennifer returned the wave and also gave their thumbs up.
Simpson Mansion
Relatives were busy with preparing for the priest's arrival.
Speaking of, the engaged couple was just about to join the crowd.
"Oh no," David retracted upon seeing everyone. "I can't do this." He cowardly turned away, but caught a glimpse of Sam's stern face.
"Okay. I guess I can do it, then," David changed his mind.
"You know, Father will be reading the hymns today," Sam stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh wow, how amazing," David sarcastically replied. "What a great Father of yours…"
Sam reached out for his shoulder. David noticed the stern look again. "What? I'm about to get married, it's a bit nerve wracking. I can't do this now."
Sam rolled her eyes.
"God would be pleased with any kinda hymns," he stated.
"You have nothing to ask from God personally?" Sam further probed.
"What more should I ask for?" He reached for her shoulders. "I got you, and perhaps two or four cute babies would be nice. And if God can't grant us that wish, then I can do the favor." David tilted his head to nearly kiss Sam, only to be pushed back. "Behave yourself," she playfully scolded.
"Oh, David," called out a woman.
"Oh man," David attempted at hiding his face on Sam's neck. She wasn't too pleased.
"Daaaaaavid," the woman repeated.
A group of middle aged ladies approached the couple.
"Good morning, good morning," they greeted with wide smiles.
"Look at youuu," she cooed. "So handsome, so cutie-wootie. Impressive workout routine, six pack, and topless."
"What is she saying?" David couldn't stop laughing.
"Shh, you're making him shy," scolded the second woman. She pushed aside the other aunty to flirt with David.
"What a handsome loving man. Blessed with the face of an angel, and the body of Zeus."
"What's she saying?" David repeated.
The third aunty gasped at the audacity of what her friend was saying. "Girl, you need to lay it off." She shoved the woman aside.
"Listen, David, you charming man. You're about to be married to such a beautiful woman. Sam, try to not let such a catch get away, young lady," she taunted, as her friends laughed.
"What's she saying?" David laughed for the third time.
"Listen, listen, the priest is here!" Gabriella called out.
"Bye, sweetie!" the aunts giggled as they departed.
"Sam, you have a phone call," Gabriella said. Her daughter walked away.
"Thank you so much, mother-in-law," David expressed his gratitude.
"You're welcome, son-in-law," she smiled.
"Hello?" Sam greeted into the phone.
Nothing.
"Hellooooo?" She tried again, slightly raising her voice.
Again, no reply.
"Hello?" Sam was beginning to get annoyed. She had no time for prank calls, especially on an important night for her upcoming marriage.
"Hello?" a male voice whispered.
"Hello?" Sam replied, her heart skipping a beat at finally getting a reply from the caller.
"I love you," he whispered.
"David, come on. Someone's on the phone, and I'm trying to get an answer. Hello?" she tried again.
"You know, I've been wanting to tell you something. I've got a business trip all the way over in Paris," David began.
"And?"
"And you have your silly summer camp,": he teased.
"David," Sam began sternly, still holding onto the phone, "this summer camp program isn't silly. I'm going because it's a great opportunity to be teaching younger kids and helping them develop interests in life, like math, arts and crafts, and possibly some discipline."
"You see, that's my point. I'll be gone for a measly week, while you are gonna be gone for nearly two months," David lightly punched her shoulder. "So, go to your Camp Munchkin in Napa Valley. Teach them kids their talent and have loads of fun."
On the other of the phone:
"Camp Munchkin?!" Sam exclaimed.
"Napa Valley?!" Jennifer gasped.