Epilogue

Corinne Shay stomped into the house, late for her father's 50th birthday dinner. This was annoying on more than one level. First, they were having spaghetti tacos. Spaghetti tacos are AWESOME. Whoever invented them must have been a freaking genius. You didn't want to be late for spaghetti tacos. Second, she was returning home after her fourth detention in two weeks. The teacher was making her get PARENTAL SIGNATURES on the detention slip because she'd had more than three. What a stupid rule.

"Dad! Dad!" she called out breathlessly. "Happy birthday can you sign this paper for me?"

"Slow down there Corinne. First, thank you. Second, why are you asking me to sign something?" he asked his oldest daughter with suspicion.

She scowled. "It's a detention slip and Mom will chew my ass out if she finds out about-"

"About WHAT Corinne?"

Oh great. Her mother appeared, resting her hands lightly on Dad's shoulders. They were always so lovey-dovey. It made her want to gag sometimes. She sighed. "Mom, I swear, this new Visual Communications teacher has it in for me. This is the FOURTH detention he's given me in two weeks for not turning in homework. That's so LAME Mom; it's just homework." She rolled her eyes dramatically for emphasis.

"Let me see it, "Dad ordered. He scanned the slip and had to repress a smile, handing it to his wife without comment.

There was a handwritten note at the bottom that read: "Mr. and Mrs. Shay – your daughter Corinne is out of control.Someone needs to keep her in line. Sincerely, Fred Benson."

Sam was undecided. On the one hand, there was no doubt in her mind that her daughter was out of line. Unlike her two youngest who walked around with their heads in the clouds most of the time, Corinne was her mother all over again. Physically she looked more like her Aunt Carly, but otherwise, she might as well be a Puckett. On the other hand, Sam couldn't resist the opportunity to mess with Freddie Benson, twenty years down the road or not. Dad looked at Mom. Mom looked at Dad. Corinne could see the silent exchange that passed between them – the one where Mom asked Dad if something was ok. His eyes were laughing on the third think, as he nodded for her to go ahead. "I know you want to," he grinned.

Corinne was puzzled; she'd been sure Mom would tear her a new one when she found out, but it looked like she was going to… talk back to the teacher?

Sam scrawled their response on the back of the form: "Dear Mr. Benson, THAT'S HOW SHE ROLLS! Nub. Get over it! All our love, Spence & Sam." She handed the form back to her daughter – "Here you go. Do make sure to hand it back in sweetheart."

Corinne's eyes widened. "You KNOW Mr. Benson?"

"Oh yes, we know Mr. Benson very well," Dad laughed. "Very well indeed."

She started to reply to this unexpected revelation but was distracted by the sound of a low male laugh coming from the kitchen. "Oh my God! You did NOT tell me that Uncle Socko and Aunt Angela were coming!" And by extension, that meant that their totally hot college-aged son Miles would be along for the ride. She ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at her top, suddenly all too conscious of her appearance. "How do I look?" she asked her mom anxiously.

"You look like a million bucks," Mom assured her, shaking her head as her seventeen year old daughter made a beeline for the kitchen. Turning to her husband she said, "Do you think we should suggest to Socko that we start saving for the wedding?"

A/N: And there you have it. For those who are interested, in my world Spencer and Sam married shortly after Sam's 20th birthday. Corinne was born a year later, making her only about three years younger than Socko & Angela's son Miles. The Shays went on to have two more daughters, much less troublesome than their eldest. Spencer decided that Sam must have used permanent marker when she engraved her name on his heart – as promised, he gave it to her on a platter and they never looked back. This story is dedicated to all lovers of Spam, anyone who decided to give Spam a try, and especially to those who are willing to believe that fairytales do come true. P.S. – reviews still gratefully welcome, even though the story is complete. A sincere thanks to all who have already commented on this fic.