Disclaimer: They aren't mine, they are Marvel's. I own all the other characters.

Sam, Amara, Bobby and Shatterstar had been standing by the door, talking about this and that, when they heard a car pull into the driveway.

"That must be Rictor!" Amara cried, walking toward the door. As soon as she got it opened though, they all heard a little voice cry out "Momma! The snow is COLD!"

"Momma? Is Rictor married?" Sam asked, a confused look crossing his face.

"He didn't say anything about children, though he did say he was going to bring someone." Amara answered, looking as confused as Sam did.

"Well, we aren't going to find out just standing here." Bobby pointed out.

"He is correct in that assumption." Shatterstar pointed out, walking toward the door.

Amara nodded and pulled the door open. Walking out, the foursome stared at the group of people gathered on their lawn.

Rictor was just getting out of the car. His hair was still as long as it ever was, but he no longer had the stubble. He was dressed comfortable for the trip, and looked maybe a little older. Also, there was something else about him. He now seemed to be happy. He no longer had the "get away from me or I'll blow your ass off" aura around him.

A woman was already standing next to the car. She had long blue hair, and what appeared to be a tail. Her back was turned toward them so they could not see her face. She had on a pair of tight blue jeans and a light purple sweater.

The third person was a beautiful little girl. She had long auburn hair, which there was currently a great deal of snow in, and an adorable face. She couldn't have been more then three or four, if she was even that. She looked to be very small. She seemed to be amazed by the snow.

The fourth and finally member of the group seemed to be attempting to hide behind the car. From what they could see though, she had shoulder length blonde hair, and was very tiny. She had on what looked like an old navy blue jacket.

*****

"Oh God!" Tabitha whispered, her eyes huge. "There he is."

"There who is?" Demi asked, looking across the hood at her friend.

"Sam." Tabitha mouthed, so Sami wouldn't hear. Demi's yellow eyes got huge and she whirled around to look.

"Which one?" She asked softly.

"The tall blonde." Tabitha said dully. "Demi, I can't do this."

Demi turned back to look at her. "Yes you can. If nothing, do it for your daughter."

Tabitha nodded her head, but she was visibly shaking with fear. Demi stepped around the car and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Everything will be okay, Tabs." Demi told her.

"Yeah right." Tabitha whispered back.

"Hey!" Rictor called, walking up to the porch, blissfully unaware of Tabitha's plight.

"Hello!" Bobby called back as he and the rest walked out to meet him halfway. When they reached the middle of the walkway, hugs handshakes and words of greeting made their rounds.

"So, I heard that you and Amara got married, huh?" Rictor laughed, slapping Bobby on the back.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Bobby laughed with him.

"Hump, it certainly took him long enough to propose. We had been together nearly two years!" Amara scolded her husband.

"Well, you are doing better then I am." A new voice joined in the conversation. Everyone turned to see the young blue furred woman.

Rictor broke into a big smile. "Guys this is my girlfriend, Demona Wagner."

"Hello." The woman said in a beautiful German accent.

"Hello, I am Amara DaCosta, and this is my husband Roberto." Amara introduced.

"I am Shatterstar." The man with the strawberry blonde hair introduced himself.

"And Ah'm Sam Guthrie." The final man said.

"Since when am I just your girlfriend?" Demi asked suddenly, a teasing tone to her voice.

Rictor gave a hugely dramatic sigh. "Okay, your right. Let me try all of that again. Guys, this is the light of my life, my sun and moon, my beloved, Demona Wagner. Satisfied?"

"You forgot soul mate." Demi pointed out.

The rest of the group broke up laughing. While they were all laughing the little girl had walked up to them and was currently standing next to Rictor.

"Hey!" She cried, looking up at the tall Mexican. "If she's all that, what am I?"

"Geez, Ric, sounds like you have one to many women on your hands." Bobby laughed.

"Guys, this is my goddaughter." Rictor said, putting his hand on her head.

"Well hello there." Amara cooed. "What's your name?"

"Samantha Zacharia Smith. What's yours?" Sami asked sweetly.

"Well I am Amara DaCosta. That is certainly a pretty name you have." Amara complemented.

"Thank you." Sami said politely.

"Do people call you Samantha?" Amara asked.

"No. Well, Mommy does when I'm in trouble. And when I am in real trouble she calls me 'SAMANTHA ZACHARIA!' But everybody else calls me Sami." The little girl explained.

Bobby chuckled. "Talkative little thing, isn't she?"

"She gets it from her mother." Demi told them, rolling her eyes.

"Where is your Momma, Sami?" Rictor asked.

"I don't know. I'll go find her." Sami promised.

"Cute little girl." Sam said as the tot walked away in search of her mother. "Smart too."

"Oh, that she most certainly is." Rictor agreed.

****

"Mommy, where are you?" Sami asked, looking around the lawn.

"I'm here sweetie." Tabitha said, walking into her daughter's line of view.

"How come you aren't talking to your friends?" Sami asked, wrapping her arms around her mother's knees.

"I was just coming to." Tabitha lied, biting her lip.

"Come on then." The child grabbed her hand and led her back to the group of people. "I found Momma!"

"That's�good." Bobby looked up and stared in shock.

The rest of the group also turned around to look. Amara looked surprised, and Shatterstar even looked a little shaken. But it was Sam Tabitha looked at.

His face slowly drained of color as he stared a hole through her. He opened his mouth to say something but no sound would come out. He looked like he was about to faint.

Tabitha cleared her throat. "Hi guys."

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