"Do you really have to go?" Tabitha Smith asked, clutching Sam Guthrie's neck. Sam sighed, and kissed her one more time.
"Yeah, Ah really do. Ah'll call you tonight, okay?" Sam promised her into her ear, holding her tightly to his body.
"You better, baby." Tabitha threatened, poking him in the chest.
"Only death could keep me from the phone!" Sam assured her, his voice taking on a theatrical tone. Tabitha giggled slightly, and rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I believe you." Tabitha finally said, still holding onto him for dear life.
"Thank God for small miracles." Sam joked, kissing her one more time. "Ah really have to go now."
"Can't you stay a LITTLE longer?" Tabitha begged, her eyes sad. Then she grinned mischievously. "We could…" She trailed off suggestively.
Sam chuckled, and swung her off her feet an around in a circle. "That's the best offer Ah've had in months, but…Ah really can't stay." He set her back down on her feet. "Ah'll see you in a week or to, okay?"
"All right." Tabitha grumbled, still clutching his shirt. "But you'd better not run off with any of those X-Women!"
"Ah'll never leave you girl. Ah love you more then anything." Sam said, somberly. His eyes flashed with something Tabitha couldn't recognize, and he reached into his pocket. Then he seemed to change his mind, and pulled his hand back out, empty.
Tabitha looked at him strangely, then reached up to kiss him one more time. "I love you."
"Ah love you too, Tabby. But Ah really have to go now!" Sam laughed, kissing her cheek. Tabitha rolled her eyes in annoyance, but let go of his chest. She walked him over to where his car was parked, holding onto his hand.
He climbed in and started the car, rolling the window down to grin at her. "Ah do love you so, girl."
"And I love you. Now get out of here, and call me when you get home." Tabitha teased gently, her eyes bellying her words. Sam leaned out the window and kissed her one more time. Then he threw his truck into gear, driving away. Tabitha stood where she was, crossing her arms over her chest and struggling against tears.
Sam watched her disappear in the rear view mirror, silently scolding himself for not being brave enough to just ASK her. He reached into his pocket and drew out the small velvet jeweler's box. Looking at himself, he made a silent promise.
Ah'll ask her the next time I see her…