"Sam, where are we going? You just told me to pack us a bag and be ready for you to pick me up, what in the hell is going on? " Tara asked.
"We are going on a little getaway/honeymoon so that we can get a break it's been a while since I've been on a trip not since before moving to BonTemps have I traveled anywhere, and I know you haven't left town at all really unless it's to Shreveport, and it's time to change that you are a witch and an African goddess it's criminal that you haven't seen more of the world, so I've made arrangements for us to go to California they have very beautiful lakes out there and one in particular in Napa, but I know you aren't really a wine drinker, so I was thinking Bass lake we can rent a beautiful cabin for just the two of us and take in the sights around town and go to the different bars and restaurants it's just what we need and maybe someday we will bring our future children out there and create special memories with them, you know when I was a kid I loved the movie the great outdoors I liked the idea of what both families wanting to create special memories with their wives and kids and I said someday I was going to find a woman to build that life with and now here I am married heading to a long overdue honeymoon with the woman I love more than anything on this planet, and I'm honestly excited." Sam replied.
"It sounds nice and your right working my ass off taking care of mama really left no time to go anywhere, and I had accepted that back then that's all my life was going to be until I learned the truth, and now I'm slowly getting used to this new normal that by leaps and bounds is by far better than I ever dreamed possible, and it's hard at times not letting those old doubts seep in, but I have never been one to let my fears rule me if I had I never would have made it through everything in my life that went wrong and made it to this moment in time where my bad luck has changed we both deserve a moment to catch our breath when before it kind of felt like the walls were closing in at times." Tara said.
"Yeah we got dealt a bad deck of cards, but we played them well despite everything that we've been through before we got together and now look at us going to California to finally reap the rewards of all the work we put in surviving it all, that's something to be proud of." Sam replied.
"You're right Sam I'm very proud, I'm proud of the both of us." Tara said.
"We should be in California in twenty-six hours we can check out the sights along the way eat go shopping whatever we feel like doing I know once we check into the resort we'll be tired, so we can unpack and rest and then the next morning we can check out the area." Sam replied.
"From what I see online it looks like a beautiful area to be honest it makes BonTemps look like a dump of a town in comparison." Tara said.
"Well then maybe we should see about getting a place up here to vacation and have the family come up I'm pretty sure nobody on your side of the family has seen much outside of Louisiana, it would be nice for them to get away as well." Sam replied.
"I like that idea, I never thought I'd be the type to have a vacation house sounds something more like Mrs. Bellefleur would have the snooty rich bitch type you know." Tara said.
"Well Cher we are in a better position than we used to be so we don't have to worry about struggling again and no matter how better off we become we aren't in any danger of turning into Andy's grandmother. We will remain our normal, practical selves that just so happen to have money." Sam replied.
They drove in silence Tara intently looking at the online guide of everything there is to see in Dallas Sam kept his eyes on the road luckily they were making good time before long they would be in Dallas where they would stop get something to eat check out Dallas and then head to the hotel they would be staying overnight and then get back on the road after breakfast.
"Well shit, this place is nice, nicer than that motel I was living in before we got married." Tara exclaimed.
"Yeah but look at you now you've moved up in the world, come on let's go check out the room take a little nap and think about what we should get for dinner." Sam replied.
Sam wrapped his arm around Tara as they entered the elevator heading toward the floor they were staying for the night inside the room was beautiful and clean, the huge bed with a remote that had massage with heat settings.
After unpacking what they would need for the night and the next morning they sat on the bed made love till they fell asleep, waking up hours later seeking a place for dinner.
"This place must be really good because it's packed." Tara said.
"Well, it has a lot of positive reviews, so I'm not surprised." Sam replied.
"Oh look here comes the food, honestly it looks wonderful." Tara said.
"Yeah, it looks delicious, let's take a picture of everything and send it to the group chat, I'm curious to see what Lafayette has to say about the food." Sam replied.
"Hoe why the fuck you showing out on your honeymoon like this? The food looks good though." Lafayette sent.
"Don't be jealous bitch when you and Jesus either get married or go on vacation, you can do the same hoe." Tara sent.
"Knock it off you two, so Sam Tara where exactly are you now?" Uncle Cyrus sent.
"We stopped off in downtown Dallas, we will be continuing our trip tomorrow morning." Sam sent.
"That's nice, so on your way back you'll be sightseeing, since you didn't get much of a chance to on the way to California?" Aunt Ruby sent.
"Yes, we plan to take as much time as possible to relax and enjoy ourselves." Sam sent.
"Well, enjoy your evening, goodnight." Uncle Cyrus sent.
"Goodnight. Sam and Tara sent.
"Sam, today has been wonderful, you manage to make everyday I'm by your side the best day I could ever imagine, especially coming from a place where I didn't know what that felt like before." Tara said.
"Tara I will always treat you as you should have always been with love respect and care just as you treat me it's part of why we work because we both genuinely want to give each other everything we've been deprived of I mean we see perfect examples of that under our roof in the interactions between the aunt's and uncles." Sam replied.
"I know you show me that every day, and I'm so grateful for it, come on it's late let's get back to the room." Tara said.
As the warm Dallas sun bathed the room in muted light the lovers arose refreshed for the start of a new day that would get them closer toward their destination there was no thought of what was going on at home only the excitement of the journey ahead of them.
"So, what should we get for breakfast?" Tara asked.
"I think we get a complimentary breakfast so we can enjoy before we leave." Sam replied.
A knock by room service interrupted their conversation as a cart filled with food juice and coffee is left in the center of the room. "Here you go, thank you so much." Tara said as she placed a generous tip, In his hand.
After finishing their meal, they packed up the leftovers ready to head off to Las Vegas.
Tara sat silently reading everything about Las Vegas, Sam had taken the time to plan everything insuring that she would enjoy herself and that they would create beautiful memories together. Las Vegas was often the only town in Las Vegas that was often referred to in movies, but Tara never thought she would actually get to go there Sam was really the best man and husband she could have ever imagined he was a lot like her grandfather Lionel hardworking independent loyal family oriented and loving. If she had to be married to anyone Sam is definitely first and only on her list.
"They have a lot of buffet's so we could go anywhere." Tara said.
"Sounds good when it comes to food, it's never a problem to always have options." Sam replied.
"That's true, I still can't believe you planned this whole trip and I didn't notice." Tara said.
"Well, you've been busy with your studies and the store and merlottes that had your focus, so it wasn't hard to plan this trip without you noticing anything at all, which made the surprise a success when I got to see how happy you were when I told you." Sam replied.
"Well I'm enjoying everything so far, honestly I never knew how much I needed this until you surprised me, I mean I know I could have left home and started over, but I had people at home I cared about and couldn't see myself leaving them behind. But after learning the truth about myself and becoming a wife, my outlook on life has changed." Tara said.
"I'm enjoying myself too, seeing your excitement at all the things we've seen along the way makes me the most happy." Sam replied.
The atmosphere inside the truck was brimming with excitement and promise as Sam and Tara embarked on to their honeymoon destination meeting friendly locals and tourists and creating memories that they would cherish forever, their bond and love was beyond defining and nothing or nobody could destroy it.
Finally, they had arrived, greeted by the welcome to Las Vegas sign, heading straight for their reservation to the palm's hotel.
Tara stared out the window as they drove down the Las Vegas strip, finally reaching the Palms hotel.
"Wow this is another beautiful room and look at the view, are we really in a room overlooking the strip? Tara asked in disbelief.
Inside the room Sam and Tara stare out their window at the strip below Sam wraps his arms around Tara's waist as they swayed together Sam kissed up the length of Tara's neck turning her to face him she wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked her back against the wall kissing heatedly.
From the wall they ended up in the Glassdoor shower with the multi heads cascading jets of water down their toned heated flesh time had no meaning, the only thing that mattered was them in the little world their love created for them to bask in its glow.
Hours later they laid spent in bed, their legs entangled." I think it's safe to say we worked up an appetite we haven't eaten since we were on the road, we should pick something out." Tara said.
"Let's order room service, I don't feel like going out now we can sight see later." Sam replied.
"Sure I don't feel like going out either right now." Tara said.
"Everything sounds good, I think I'll get the steak and eggs with a coffee and orange juice." Sam replied.
After putting robes they settled back on the bed and talked, something they enjoyed doing just talking about any and everything and connecting with each other this was something they vowed as they cast off the toxicity in their lives that held them captive for so long. This trip is meat to make their bond stronger, but also prepare them for the steps they never expected to take.
"Right on time let me get some money for a tip, Tara said.
Sam stood admiring Tara as he watched her talking to the young man delivering their food.
Sitting down they ate their food talking and deciding what they were going to do later.
"The wax museum is just as popular as the casinos and the buffets, not to mention whatever celebrity is currently in residence." Tara said.
"So the wax museum it is then." Sam replied.
"I can only imagine being here with the light's out having all these eyes staring at you, it's the makings of a pretty scary horror movie." Tara said.
"Sure, it gave me classic Vincent Price vibes." Sam replied.
As they walked through the museum, Sam and Tara took turns taking pictures of each other standing next to the figures, sending them to the group chat for the family back home to see.
"Let's go shopping, the family will be so shocked when they see everything we bring back." Tara said.
"Okay, let's go check out the gift shops." Sam replied.
After putting their shopping in the truck, they decided to go for seafood.
"The oysters gumbo jambalaya and lobster rolls look pretty damn good." Tara said.
"Yes, our menu is going to be bumped up a few notches." Sam replied.
"Sam I really can't thank you enough for this trip, I'm just in awe of everything that we've done." Tara said.
Tara, I've told you don't ever have to thank me for doing what I'm supposed to do as a husband." Sam replied.
"You know, old habits die hard." Tara said.
"Oh I know that from experience, believe it or not." Sam replied.
"I know for me, it was yearning for my mama to love me instead of using me and a bottle to vent her pain on." Tara said.
"Well now you have so much love surrounding you that everything before now will be like a bad dream." Sam replied.
Back home in BonTemps inside the Thornton manor, everyone was busy with a witch related task." Has something happened?" Jesus asked.
"No, nothing has happened, we are just gathering Intel and making sure Sam and Tara have safe travels as they reach their honeymoon destination." Uncle Cyrus replied.
"Well that's good to hear." Jesus said.
Back in Las Vegas Sam and Tara partook of everything tourist related in Vegas they could do in a day, the couples massages and the shows and meals in between left them tired and excited to continue on their journey to Bass lake.
"In seven hours we'll be in California in our cabin, officially kicking off the Merlotte family honeymoon/vacation is about to begin." Sam said.
"I can't wait Sam, I can't remember a time before I was so excited." Tara replied.
"Well, they are on their way to California as we speak." Rashawn said.
"That's good they keep sending pictures in the group chat and Lafayette the big ass extra fool he is keeps saying he can make the food better like he isn't a damn short order cook instead of a cooking school graduate chef I swear I don't know how Aunt Ruby and Uncle Daniel or even Jesus deals with him." Sasha complained.
"That's just who he is, we've known that since we were kids, no use complaining about it now." Rashawn said.
"Oh never mind, we still have plenty to do and more Intel to gather so can we change the subject please?" Sasha asked.
The closer they got to Bass lake, the more the area began to look like something out of a Bob Ross painting with happy little trees gently caressed by the gentle breeze blowing. Back in BonTemps, Tara had seen plenty of trees blowing in the wind, but they didn't provoke the childlike wonder everything in this vacation has done so far.
As Tara looked out the window she could feel Sam holding her hand giving it a gentle squeeze which comforted her as they got closer toward their destination.
A small smile graced Tara's face as the miles between her and California grew less and less." We are almost there, hon any idea of what you want to do first?" Sam asked.
"Well we won't run out of things to do while we are here, we can unpack figure out what we're going to do for dinner then in the morning make plans for our first full day here." Tara said.
"Sounds good to me hon." Sam replied.
"We are officially unpacked all the things we bought for the family is put away so far so good." Tara said.
"Yes so let's relax there's a beautiful fireplace downstairs we could get cozy and watch a movie and grab some food from the kitchen when we get hungry how does that sound?" Sam replied.
"It sounds like a wonderful idea you set up the scene I'll get the food and drinks." Tara said.
The scene was set right in front of the cozy fireplace was a blanket and pillows sat on the floor it was a scene right out of a romance novel or movie where the couple in question keep locking eyes until they kiss and end up sleeping together it was a touching scene set before her and her nerves were on high alert Sam had that ability to make her feel like a virgin about to go all the way every time he gave her that heated stare he does whenever he wants to take her to peaks and valleys of pleasure she never knew existed. But she regrets nothing and craves the thrill of Sam's touch that sends shivers down her spine.
ToSam,Tara was a work of art that was rough around the edges but had charm and charisma to draw you into her orbit, capturing you in a tractor beam you don't want to be released from just as she was doing right now, he could never understand how she couldn't see her own beauty because it was always there and Sam takes great pleasure in showing Tara how beautiful she is to him.