Part Seven

It was a week later, and Sam and Grace were driving back from a crime scene in an Atlanta suburb. "Are you still free this weekend?"

Grace glanced over at Sam, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "I should be," she replied. "Morgan is taking Jason to see his grandparents."

"Good," Sam said, nodding. "I was hoping we could go for a dress fitting."

Smiling, Grace responded, "Sounds like fun. Just please tell me I won't have to wear seafoam, or any other 1950's inspired color."

"Would I do that to you?" Sam asked, trying to hide her grin. "No, I was thinking more about sapphire blue."

Grace couldn't help but laugh. "Like your ring?"

Sam glanced at her hand. "Would you believe that I hadn't even thought about that?"

"Really?" Grace asked, not taking her eyes from the road. "You're kidding me, right?"

Laughing softly, Sam said, "I kid you not." She paused. "No, I just like the color."

"Even in the spring?" she asked. "Although it would match John's eyes," she said, smiling.

"Wow, Grace, I wish I had all of your reasoning skills," Sam said with a half-grin.

Grace nodded. "Well, I do what I can." Pulling into a parking spot at the VCTF, Grace killed the engine before asking, "Have John and George gone to look at tuxes yet?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "What do you think? That will be like pulling teeth."

"I don't know, he might surprise you."

"Wouldn't be the first time," Sam said, getting out of the car and closing the door. "However, I still doubt it about this."

After they walked inside, Sam went to her office. She had just sat down when she noticed John sitting at his desk. Standing, she walked down the small stair case and over to his desk. "How's the desk duty going?" she asked, laying her hand on his shoulder.

John smiled when he saw her. "It's going," he said dryly. "Beyond that there are no polite words."

"That never stopped you before," Sam said with a laugh.

"How was it, out in the real world?" John asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

She pulled a chair over next to his desk. "Not as wonderful as you're making it out to be," she said with a sly grin.

Leaning forward conspiratorially, John glanced around. "I'll switch with you. You can stay here at my desk and I'll wear your jacket and go to the crime scenes."

"Wear the heels, too and we might talk." Sam grinned. "Besides, it can't be that bad in here."

John shot Sam an exacerbated look, "You're enjoying this far too much."

"Not as much as I'm going to enjoy what I'm fixing to ask you about," she said with a grin.

John groaned and closed his eyes. "You're going to ask me about the tux again, aren't you?"

Patting his knee, she laughed. "Buck up, John. It's not the end of the world."

"So you say," he complained. "The guy lays one hand on my in seam and I swear I'll shoot him."

Standing up, Sam continued to laugh. "Good thing you're still on desk duty then. At least you don't have your handcuffs either."

"I'll steal George's gun if I have to," John threatened.

"Since when does George carry a gun to a tux fitting?" Sam asked, enjoying the conversation. "A computer maybe. Maybe you could hit the guy with that."

John rolled his eyes, but barely managed to hide his grin. "Not funny, Sam."

***

There was just over a week left before the wedding when Sam, Grace and Chloe went for their final dress fittings. From where she stood in the middle of the room, Sam looked around at the various mirrors.

The dress was satin, just a shade off-white. The neckline lay in soft folds almost off the shoulders, and dipped low in the back. It laced up the back, so that it was fitted at the waist, and fell loose to the floor where it pooled at her feet.

"What do you think?" she asked gesturing at the dress when Chloe walked into the room.

Smiling, Chloe replied, "You look beautiful, Mom."

"Wow, Sam." Grace smiled, walking up behind Chloe. "The dress is perfect."

"Thanks." Sam glanced in the mirror. "Why aren't you in your dresses, too?" she asked, turning her attention back to Chloe and Grace.

"We were waiting on you," Chloe said with a grin.

Laughing, Sam replied, "Well, this part of the show is over. Now it's time to see the two of you perform."

"Yes, ma'am," Grace said with a grin. "We'll be back in just a minute. Off to the dressing rooms, Chloe."

Chloe giggled. "Yea, now I can try mine, too!" With that, she turned and ran off toward the left into a dressing room.

"You, too," Sam said when Grace didn't move.

She nodded. "I'm going. I was just trying to picture John's face when you walk down the aisle in that dress."

"Think he'll like it?" Sam asked, smiling.

Grace smiled. "Oh, yeah. I'd say so." Turning, she walked into the dressing room on the right.

***

On the first Saturday in April, several members of the VCTF and their families gathered at the same church where Sam and Chloe had taken John to his first Christmas mass in December. In the brides room, Grace and Chloe were helping Sam with the finishing touches to her outfit.

"Something borrowed." Grace handed Sam a pair of mother-of-pearl earrings. "I hope you like them."

Sam smiled, putting the earrings on and glancing in the mirror. "They're beautiful, Grace."

Chloe walked up, already wearing her blue satin dress. "I've got the something old," she said, handing Sam a pearl choker necklace. "You told me it was Grandma's," she explained.

Blinking, Sam grinned and hugged Chloe. "Thanks for thinking of this, sweetie."

"Chloe and I talked it over," Grace said a moment later. "And we think your engagement ring qualifies as something new."

Sam laughed. "Couldn't come up with anything, huh?"

"No," Grace answered with a laugh. "Nothing that seemed right."

Sam nodded, still smiling. "I guess that leaves something blue."

"That's us!" Chloe announced with a grin. "After all, you picked the color."

"I suppose I did, didn't I?" Sam asked with a laugh. Taking a deep breath, she added, "Thanks you two."

Chloe grinned and gave Sam a hug. "You're welcome, Mom."

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Bailey stuck his head into the room. "Ready?"

Sam nodded, and glanced at Grace, who nodded in return. "Let's go," Sam said, standing.

"Here," Grace said, "let me help you with that." Reaching up, she pulled Sam's veil in front of her face. "Perfect."

"Don't forget your flowers," Chloe said, handing her the bouquet.

"Thanks, baby," Sam said, taking the flowers. "It's time for a wedding I'd say."

Grace laughed as she walked out of the room ahead of Sam. "I hope so, otherwise I'm way overdressed."

***

"You have the rings, right?" John asked for the second time, keeping his voice low, as he and George were standing at front of the church.

George laughed. "Yes, John. I didn't lose them in the last two minutes."

"Sorry," John said with a grin.

Shaking his head, George grinned and whispered, "No problem, buddy. You're just wound up a little." A second later when the music began to play, George whispered, "Showtime."

John smiled when he saw Chloe appear in the open doorway. For a second she just stood there, waiting for her cue to walk toward the front. Clutching her small bouquet of flowers in front of her, she walked slowly down the aisle. Catching John's eye, she smiled broadly and continued to almost bounce down the aisle.

Next, Grace appeared in the doorway. For a moment, she stood there in her floor-length dark blue satin dress. Holding a bouquet of white roses similar to Chloe's, she then began to walk down the aisle, stepping to the beat of the music.

Once she was at the front of the church, the tone of the music changed and those gathered stood up on either side of the aisle. John felt his heart jump when Sam and Bailey walked up to the doorway. Unable to tear his eyes away from her, his face was beaming as he watched her walk down the aisle toward him.

When she reached the front of the church, and Bailey stepped back, John lifted the veil from her face. Sam looked up at John, and smiled when she saw him swallow nervously. Taking his hand in hers, she gave it a gentle squeeze as the ceremony began.

***

"Here they come," George called when Sam and John appeared from a side doorway in the church.

Following the short reception, the small group had moved outside to wait for the couple to leave. At the same time, Sam and John had gone back into the changing rooms to change, and were trying to sneak into the car when George spotted them.

Grace watched for a second. "Do they really think that they're going to get away that easily?"

"I should hope not," George said with a grin. "Let's get 'em."

"Get who?" Chloe asked, walking up to them.

Grace handed her a small sack of birdseed. "Your Mom and John, honey." Smiling she untied her bundle, saying to those still there, "Fire away guys."

"Man, right in the ear," they heard John yell as he ducked into the driver's seat.

Chloe giggled and watched as Sam shook her head to get the birdseed out of her hair. Grace glanced down at Chloe. "Happy, Chloe?" Looking up at Grace, Chloe nodded. "Good, because now it's time to go clean up." Grace laughed when Chloe's face fell.

"Ah, man," Chloe said, with half a grin. "And Mom and John just get to drive off."

"That's the breaks, kid," George said with a grin, dropping a hand onto her shoulder. "But I'll tell you what."

"What?" she asked, grinning.

George laughed. "First one to finish helping cleaning gets to hit the leftover cake."

Chloe's eyes lit up as she said, "Hope you don't want any cake, George." She was laughing as she ran back inside the building.

"Sam and John are not going to thank you for that," Grace said with a glint in her eye. "She's going to be wired."

"Actually," George said with a wink, "since she's spending the night with you, I think you're the only one who doesn't care for my negotiation techniques."

Shaking her head, Grace did her best not to laugh. "Get in there and help her clean up, George," she said, slapping him lightly on the back.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, pulling off a smart salute. "But where do you think you're going?"

"Right behind you," she said with a laugh.

***

Relaxing back into her seat, Sam smiled. "I can't believe that we're actually doing this," she said, glancing over at John. They had just boarded their flight at Hartsfield which was to take them to Aspen, Colorado.

"Making a getaway?" he asked, grinning. "Hey, I'd say we're due a vacation." He paused before adding, "This one just happens to be our honeymoon."

Sam smiled. "Yes, and how many people go to Colorado for their honeymoon?"

Waggling his eyebrows, John tried not to laugh when he said, "Yes, but how many people have our track record in cabins?"

"Good point," Sam said, stealing a quick kiss.

"I thought so," John replied after the kiss ended. "Besides, we live in Georgia. We can get sun anytime, but I'm from up north . . ."

Sam laughed. "And the poor guy wants to see snow."

John sniffed, wiping away a non-existent tear. "I do miss snowball fights."

"Don't even think about it," Sam said with mock seriousness.

Managing his best innocent expression, John asked, "Me?"

Laughing, Sam replied, "Oh don't even try it." She paused, and grinned when she added, "Not even Chloe buys that anymore."

"No," John corrected, "Chloe never did buy it."

Sam rested her head on John's shoulder. "That's my girl."

John laughed. "Boy is she."

"And what's that supposed to mean, Mr. Grant?" she asked, pulling her head back so she could look in his eyes.

John shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. You know how you stubborn blonds are."

"You're terrible," Sam said with a laugh.

"Well, that's better than awful, I suppose," John said, a thoughtful look on his face. A second later it was replaced with a grin. "What do you think it's supposed to mean, Mrs. Grant?"

Sam laughed. "With you, it's just as well I don't know, probably." She paused. "Mrs. Grant . . . That's the first time I've heard that one."

"I like it," John said with a grin, "almost as much as I liked Dr. Waters."

"Then I guess it's good that I'm both," she said with a sly grin. "Let's see. I'm giving up my name, what are you giving up?'

John grinned. "Should I answer something hokey like, my heart?"

"Romeo, you are not," Sam replied, laughing. "Although . . ." she continued, with a suggestive grin.

John shook his head, laughing. "Uh-uh, I am not wearing tights."

Laughing, Sam countered, "Well, you probably couldn't pull them off anyway." At John's openmouthed look, she added, "In either sense."

"Now who's awful?" he asked, smiling.

Sam nodded. "But only because I learned from the best."

***

"We really should leave the cabin," Sam said two days later. "Don't you think?"

John laughed, and put his arm around her shoulders. "Willing to risk a snowball fight?"

"Maybe," she replied with a grin. "Then again, it is nice by the fire."

John laughed even harder. "Chicken. Get your gloves and coat, you're going down."

"I'll have you know," she laughed, "that I've won a snowball fight or two in my lifetime."

John walked over to where their coats were hanging on the wall. "We'll see." He handed Sam her jacket. "You're gonna need it."

Taking her jacket, she grinned. "We'll see."

Reaching over, John grabbed Sam by the waist and started tickling her. "We'll see," he repeated with a laugh. "I don't think so."

***

"Mom!" Chloe cried out after pulling open the door. Behind her, Grace laughed.

"Hey there, Chlo," Sam said, kneeling down and giving her a hug. "Miss us?"

Chloe nodded, looking up at John she smiled. "Hey, John."

"Hey there, kiddo," he said, ruffling her hair.

"Are you going to come in, or just stand there?" Grace asked with a grin, holding the door open.

Sam laughed. "Hi, Grace."

Nodding, Grace closed the door after they had walked in. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you two had a nice time."

Putting his arm around Sam's shoulders, John winked. "You could say that."

"And then you had to come back to the real world," Grace said with a grin.

Sam laughed. "But we did so miss your sense of humor."

"Or lack there of," John added with a grin.

"Did you hear that, Chlo?" Grace asked with a smile. "I do them a favor, and this is how they treat me."

Chloe giggled. "I'm used to it."

"Oh, you're used to it, huh?" John asked with a grin as he tickled Chloe, who started giggling.

While they were distracted, Grace pulled Sam off to the side. "How did everything go?" she asked once they were out of earshot.

Sam smiled. "Everything was great."

"John still feeling okay?" she asked, glancing over at where he was still tickling Chloe.

Nodding, Sam replied with a wink. "Oh I'd say so."

Noticing that they had attracted John and Chloe's attention, Grace laughed. "You will tell me all about it later."

"Yes, ma'am." Sam laughed, walking over to where John was standing.

"Where did Chloe disappear to?" Sam asked.

John tilted his head toward the stairs. "She wanted to get her stuff."

"Ready to go?" Chloe asked, bounding down the stairs.

Sam nodded, but said, "Are you going to thank Grace for letting you stay here?"

Grinning, Chloe ran over and gave Grace a hug. "Thanks, Aunt Grace."

Grace smiled. "No problem, sweetie."

"Ready to go home?" John asked. Chloe nodded and took his hand. "Then let's do it."

***

"Welcome back you two," Bailey said when Sam and John walked into the briefing room the following Monday morning.

Smiling, Sam said, "Thanks, Bailey."

"Welcome back," George said, giving Sam a hug.

"Thanks." Sam smiled, sitting down.

"What?" John asked with a grin. "No welcome back hug for me?"

"Now, John," George replied with a laugh. "The first thing to learn is to not be jealous of your wife." Patting him on the back as he walked past, George added, "Glad to have you back, buddy."

Grinning, John sat down in his usual seat next to Sam. "Thanks, George. I think, anyway."

"I hate to break this up," Bailey interjected, "but we do have work to do."

John laughed and smirked. "Gee, dad. Do we have to?"

"Sorry, John," Bailey said, grinning. Turning to George, he added, "Put up the crime scene photos so Sam and John can catch up, would you, Georgie?"

The first photo had appeared on the screen when Sam glanced around. "Isn't Grace coming to the meeting?"

"Not today," Bailey replied. "She's in the morgue working on something for us." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Now, the first victim was Samuel Marcus. Black male, mid-30's. He was found two weeks after being reported missing."

***

After they had finished discussing the case, John followed Bailey into his office. Bailey had barely sat down, when he started speaking. "When do I get to go back out into the field?"

"Soon, John," he replied, looking up at the young agent.

John ran a hand through his hair, which was finally back to a semi-normal length. "How soon? I'm going crazy just sitting around here, Bailey."

Nodding, Bailey replied, "I know. Maybe the next case."

"Yeah," John replied, turning to leave the office, "I've heard that already."

"John," Bailey called out just before John walked through the door. "Just give it time. You'll get back out there."

John nodded but didn't say anything before closing the door behind him.

***

May was half over before John finally went out on a case. The team had been called to Charlotte, North Carolina to help on a particularly gruesome case. Someone was kidnaping teenagers in Charlotte and returning them almost dead. All but one had later died in the hospital.

"Did you really miss this?" Grace asked. They were at the latest crime scene, and the victim was being rushed to the hospital.

John nodded. "Strange, isn't it?" He looked around the busy alley. "Shouldn't you be somewhere else?"

"I'm waiting on my ride, actually," she replied. "Sam's supposed to drop me off at the morgue on her way to the hospital."

"Bailey and I are going to finish up here, and then go back to the police station. I think we're meeting the two of you there later."

"Hey, you two," Sam said, walking up to Grace and John.

John grinned, taking her hand. "Hey, yourself."

Sam smiled, but turned to Grace. "Are you ready to go? You're cleared to look at the last two victims."

"I'm ready when you are," Grace replied with a nod.

Sam nodded. "We better go, I need to speak with the doctors that treated the victims." Grace nodded and began walking back to the car.

"I'll see you later, then," John said a moment later.

"Wouldn't be normal otherwise," she responded. "See you at the police station," she finished before following Grace to the rental car.

A few minutes later, Bailey walked over to John. "Anything new?"

John shook his head. "So far, nothing different than the reports from the previous crime scenes."

"I was hoping for a break sooner rather than later," Bailey said with a sigh.

"We'll get the guy, Bailey."

***

"He fits the profile," Sam said during a brainstorming session over a week later.

George nodded. "Stephens is the only one I can find who fits the evidence."

"John," Bailey said, glancing at the younger agent. "Let's go talk to Roy Stephens, see what happens with that before we ask for a warrant." John stood while Bailey asked, "George, can you get me a current address?"

"Sure thing," the computer whiz said. A moment later, the printer connected to George's laptop jumped to life. "Here you go," George said, handing John the printout.

John took the offered paper and nodded, "Thanks, George." He glanced at Bailey. "Let's go."

Bailey nodded in agreement and quickly left the room. Just before John could follow him, Sam touched his arm. "Be careful."

John smiled. "I always am." Turning, he walked out of the room.

***

Bailey pulled the car to a stop outside of a modest apartment building. "This is the address George gave us," John said, checking the paper.

Bailey nodded. "Let's go see if he's home."

After getting out of the car, John laughed. "This reminds me of the last time we went to interview a suspect together."

Bailey thought for a moment before replying. "That's been a while."

"Tell me about it." He touched the area under his eye, remembering the incident. "That guy socked me in the eye."

Bailey laughed. "I remember that, but it was more like he hit you in the ego."

"Lucky shot," John muttered under his breath, and rolled his eyes.

When they reached the suspect's apartment, Bailey knocked on the door. "Mr. Stephens?" Bailey asked when no one answered.

A moment later the door was pulled open an inch and Bailey and John could see an eye and nose through the crack. "What do you want?"

Bailey pulled his badge from his jacket pocket. "Mr. Stephens, we're with the FBI, we'd like to speak with you."

They saw the man's eye widen just before the door was slammed shut. "Just like old times," John muttered, running down the hall and back down the stairs.

As Bailey chased the man through his apartment and out the window, John raced outside to cut off his escape. "Hold it right there, Mr. Stephens," he said when he was facing the suspect, his gun drawn.

Roy Stephens, a small, spindly man, raised his hands. "What do you want with me?"

"We just wanted to talk," Bailey said from behind him. "You're the one who ran."

"What was I supposed to do?" he asked, his whole body shaking.

"Oh, I don't know," John smirked, shrugging his shoulders. "Talk to us maybe?"

"Like you would have believed me," the man said, his hands dropping.

John laughed. "Well, we're less likely to now, aren't we?"

Bailey walked up to stand behind the suspect. "I've got him, John."

Lowering his gun, John pulled the long neglected pair of handcuffs from his waist and placed them on the suspect. Reading him his rights, John led him back to the car. Following a step behind, Bailey grinned. "Just like old times," he said under his breath.

Placing Stephens in the car, John grinned. "Boy I missed being in the field." He couldn't help liking the adrenaline rush he felt during the chase.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Bailey laughed. "Really? I couldn't tell."

***

"Did he confess?" Sam asked, walking over to stand next to Bailey in the interrogation observation room.

Nodding, the older agent replied. "Just a few minutes ago. Never even asked for a lawyer."

Sam watched the man sitting on the other side of the mirror. "I wish they were all like that."

"Well," Bailey replied, "we'll still have to get a conviction."

Sam nodded, and then looked around. "Where's John?'

"He just left the interrogation room." Glancing at his watch, Bailey commented, "In fact, we're supposed to be meeting in the briefing room."

Bailey held the door open for Sam, who had a slight grin on her face. "He didn't get hit in the eye again, did he?"

John walked up behind them, unnoticed. "As a matter of fact," he said with a grin, "he didn't. But thanks for the concern."

"Yeah, well," Bailey commented, "that mug can only take so many more hits, John."

Laughing as they walked into the briefing room, John turned to Sam. "Are you gonna let him talk to me like that?"

"I don't know, John," she said with a smile. "He might have a point."

Grace walked into the room in time to hear Sam's statement. "I don't know, Sam. Bailey so often doesn't have a point," she said with a wink.

John laughed, and Bailey tried to look hurt. "Gracie, how could you turn on me?"

"Sorry, Bai," Grace laughed. "I have to side with John occasionally."

Bailey shook his head. "How did you know you were siding with John?"

Grace shrugged, and winked at John. "Intuition."

***

John dropped their bags in the living room. "As much as I missed the thrill of the case, it will be nice to sleep in a normal bed again."

Sam laughed, and picked up one of the bags to take upstairs. "Tell me about it. It feels like we've been gone forever."

"When is Angel supposed to bring Chloe home?" John asked, following Sam with the other bags.

Placing her bag next to the closet, Sam replied, "Tomorrow. I'm just glad that she was in town the past couple of weeks. It was lucky timing."

"I'm sure Chloe had a good time," John said, also dropping his bags before sitting on the edge of the bed. A grin on his face, he added, "We could make the most of the free night."

Laughing, Sam sat next to him. "Oh really? And what would that entail?"

Putting his arm around her shoulders, he replied, "I don't know. Maybe take out and alcohol?" When Sam play slapped him in the chest he laughed. "Okay, so I was kidding. Geez."

"Then again," Sam said with a grin, "we've been gone for a while. I doubt there's much food left that's good."

Standing up, John pulled Sam up to stand in front of him. "Then canned food it is then," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"How romantic," Sam dead-panned, tilting her head up to kiss him.

Laughing, John kissed her again. "Something tells me you're not being sincere there, Sam."

"Me?" she asked with a grin. "I'm always sincere."

"Uh-huh," John replied, laughing. "I don't think so."

Pulling from the embrace, she took his hand. "Come on, let's go find something to eat before we don't even make it downstairs."

John shook his head, and half-laughed. "She'd rather eat," he said, looking skyward.

Halfway down the stairs, Sam started laughing. "You never know," she said with a mysterious grin. "You might need the energy, Grant."

A grin on his face, John replied, "Now that I like the sound of."

***

"I have your test results," Doctor Thompson said, sitting down behind his desk. The week before, John had gone in for his first follow up exam.

John nodded, and Sam took his hand. "Am I still okay?"

A smile broke on the serious doctor's face. "Yes, Agent Grant. As of this test, you're still in remission."

Sam smiled, and squeezed his hand. "That's great."

John let go of a relieved breath. Glancing at Sam, he replied, "Yeah." Turning his attention to the doctor, he added, "Thanks, Doctor Thompson."

"You're welcome," the man replied. "Now get out there and enjoy it."

John nodded, a smile forming on his face. Both Sam and John stood, and walked out of the office. The had just left the medical building when Sam said, "Thanks for letting me be there this time."

"I'm glad you were." They were almost to the car when he added, "It wasn't as hard waiting since I had you with me."

"I'll always be with you," she said. They stopped walking when they reached the car, and she squinted in the sunlight as she looked up into his eyes. "You don't even have to ask."

John felt another wave of relief wash over him as she spoke. "You're the first one to say that since my mom," he replied, suddenly somber.

Sam smiled, feeling for the little boy she had glimpsed through his comment. "All part of the package." She paused. "And that reminds me . . ."

"What?" John asked, brushing a windblown lock of hair from her eyes.

"I know your birthday is coming up. You're not going to sneak past it this year."

Laughing, John unlocked the passenger car door. "And here I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

"That you never seem to have a birthday?" she asked once John was sitting in the driver's seat. "Sorry, no such luck."

Grinning as he started the car, John replied, "Well, I tried." In truth, he was finding himself glad to have another birthday. There was a time in Buffalo when he didn't think he'd live to see it.

***

"Time to get up," Sam laughed, pulling the covers from over John's face. "You can't hide in here all day."

Groaning, John squinted at Sam. "I thought I could do whatever I wanted to on my birthday."

"Sorry, buddy," Sam laughed. "Up and at 'em."

Grinning, John sat up and looked at Sam. "Drill sargent."

Smiling, she leaned forward and kissed him. "Ever have a sargent do that?" she asked with a wink.

"Well there was that one time . . ." he said, laughing at the look on Sam's face. "Sorry, must have been mistaken."

"That's what I thought," she said with a laugh, climbing out of bed. "Chloe's making breakfast, so get dressed and downstairs."

Getting out of bed, John laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

After getting dressed, John walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Morning!" Chloe said, grinning.

"Morning, kiddo," John said, ruffling her hair. "What's to eat?"

Giggling, Chloe replied, "Scrambled eggs and toast."

"She seems to think it's your favorite," Sam said with a laugh, walking into the room.

Chloe shook her head. "Not his favorite." She laughed, glancing at John. "Just the only thing he can cook."

"Only thing I can cook," John repeated with a grin. "I'll show you the only thing I can cook," he threatened with a laugh. Picking Chloe up, he dropped her into a chair at the kitchen table. A moment later, he asked, "Besides, since when do you get up so early on a Saturday?"

"John!" Chloe replied with a grin, putting her hands on her hips.

Laughing, he replied, "That would be me." Placing a plate down on the table in front of Chloe, he added, "Eat up kid. I want to make sure you didn't pull any funny stuff."

Sam laughed. She was standing beside the counter, the coffee having just finished. Pouring two cups, she observed, "That's odd, usually you're the one that pulls funny stuff with the food."

After Sam handed him one of the coffee cups, John smiled innocently. "I only tried to give you one little piece of toast that fell on the floor."

"That you admit to, anyway," she remarked, winking at Chloe who started giggling.

Sitting down at the table, John shook his head. Grinning, he muttered, "And here I thought you would be nice to me on my birthday."

"But, John," Chloe said sweetly, taking a bite of her toast. "The day is just beginning."

Sam laughed when John shook his head. "That's what worries me."