"I'll have whatever you have. I am not picky."

"2 white wines please." Howie said to the bartender. Samantha giggled when Howie handed her the glass of wine. "What's so funny?" Howie asked as he guided her to an empty table on the side of the room.

Samantha smiled and took a sip of her drink. "I just have this way of saying things sometimes that makes me wonder if my brain is connected to my mouth. 'I'm not picky'" She wrinkled her nose "I sounded like an alcoholic or something!"

Howie laughed softly then, leaned over and kissed her gently. "Don't be ridiculous Sam! I knew what you meant and not once did the thought of you being an alcoholic cross my mind!" He kissed her again and cupped her cheek with his palm. "You know, you really made an impression on my Mom back there by speaking Spanish to her. I had no idea you spoke Spanish Samantha. Let alone fluently!" He pulled her towards him and kissed her forehead before raising her chin and gazing into her eyes. 'Nice to see her eyes have returned to their normal jade green color' he mused. "You impressed me as well Samantha. Spanish is a large part of my heritage. It pleases me you have the ability to share it with me."

"Thanks Howie." Samantha replied, returning his gaze. "I enjoy speaking Spanish and other languages. I love a challenge! Trying out new languages has always been a thrill for me." She lowered her head and let her gaze fall back to her glass. "Once a nerd, always a nerd..." she mumbled softly.

"I'm sorry. What did you say Sam?"

Samantha smiled "Oh, nothing." She looked around the room and noticed for the first time, just how many people were at the party. "Howie, are all of these people related to you?"

"Well, most of them. I'll try to get you around to meet everyone but for now," Howie paused and looked around the room, searching the sea of familiar faces. "Let's see. Over there at that table in the corner with John is my cousin Amy and her husband Steve. That is John's little girl Kassidy on his lap. The other 2 girls at the table are Chelsea and Danielle. They are my sister Angie's daughters, but I don't see Angie right now. Chelsea's daughter is the little girl my Dad was holding earlier. At the table in the opposite corner is my cousin René and..."

Samantha nodded and tried to memorize the names and the faces of the people as Howie pointed them out. 'Howie certainly comes from a great gene pool!' she thought to herself. 'His entire family is gorgeous!' Her thoughts were interrupted by Howie calling her name.

"Sam?" Howie said quietly, waving his hand in front of her face.

"Sorry Howie! I guess I was a little lost in thought."

"A little?" Howie chuckled "You looked a million miles away! What were you thinking about hun?"

Samantha turned and faced him. "I was thinking you come from a great gene pool! Your family is gorgeous!" She reached down and took his hands in hers. "I was also marveling at the fact you are a Great Uncle! I think it is so cool your family is close and can get together like this! So many generations in one room."

"With all of your brothers and sister, I am sure you have parties like this too."

Samantha shook her head. "We used to." A wistful look overtook her face. "Not anymore though. Not since..." She trailed off. "We aren't as close as we used to be."

Howie noted the glassy eyed stare in Samantha's eyes. 'Wow! There is definitely something about her family she is hiding. Do I dare ask her what it is?' Howie squeezed Samantha's hands in his. "Did something happen Sam? Like a fight or something?"