"What about your parents? Do you see them very often?"

"I saw them for a few days at Christmas. My Father spent most of last year on a dig somewhere in Egypt. I don't even remember where. My Mom was in Philadelphia designing a new library or museum or something. We all got together for Christmas at Christopher's."

"Not at your parent's house in New Mexico? I would think that would be more convenient for all of you."

Samantha laughed. "Convenient maybe. Big enough to hold everyone? No way! Did I mention my brothers have very large families?"

"Um, no. How large Samantha? I mean my family is pretty big and so is yours by today's standards."

"Howie our families are small when you compare them to my brothers' families!" Samantha laughed "Genetic researchers have actually asked if we would be willing to submit to a few tests! For some odd reason, multiples seem to run in my family!"

"Oh you mean your brothers being twins?"

"Sort of." Samantha bit her lip. "Howie, I don't want to scare you in any way. I mean, having kids is something we are trying to prevent!"

"Something tells me this is an interesting story Samantha! Don't worry, you won't scare me!"

"OK." Samantha took a deep breath. "Peter and his wife Jill, were the first ones to have kids. Peter was 19. Adam is 19 now. I can't imagine Adam having a child though! If Nick has a twin it is Adam! They look alike, they have the same mannerisms. When I first met Nick, I had a hard time not calling him Adam! Wait until you meet him." Samantha paused and took a sip of her wine. "After Adam, came Jenna. She is 16. Then Aimee and Ashleigh. Identical twins. They will be 12 in March. I thought this was a good stopping point for Peter and Jill but they didn't agree! Micah and Malia will be 10 in July. Fraternal twins there. They finally stopped with Justin who is 4. 7 kids in all! They're great kids and I love 'em all but I think Peter and Jill are insane! Luckily, they can afford to raise them."

"7 kids? 2 sets of twins?" Howie raised his eyebrows and puffed out his cheeks. "A few too many for me but if they are happy."

"They are insanely happy!" Samantha laughed. "Christopher and Cindy are even more insanely happy!"

"How many kids do they have?" Howie asked cautiously

"8." Samantha replied softly. "Kait will 18 in August. Christopher says Kait should be my daughter! Academically, we are identical. Athletically, we love and excel at the same sports. We both love ballet and could dance until our toes bleed. Visually, aside from our eyes, we look NOTHING alike! Kait is about 5'8" with long dark hair and a very curvaceous figure. I would love to look like her! She is a knockout. Her brother Kyle will be 14 in April. Then," Samantha looked straight into Howie's eyes. "Then the fun began. Natalie, Nichole and Natasha will be 10 on the 21st of February. Identical triplets! They even have the same birth mark! Luckily, their personalities and their likes and dislikes separated them almost from birth. 3 very different little girls! After them came Bradley and Bryant. Another set of identical twins. They just turned 5 in November. Last, but not least is Steven. He turned 2 on January 1st. Do you see why scientists want to study my brothers?" Samantha asked with a laugh.

"The important thing is they are happy right?"

Samantha nodded. "They are happy! It amazes me how well they all get along. Maybe it is the age difference. There is 4 years in between each birth. I have rarely seen them argue or fight. Natalie, Nichole and Natasha do but I think that is to be expected as they try establish separate personalities."

"Probably." Howie nodded in agreement then shook his head. "My family never fought very much either when I think about it. I am quite a bit younger so maybe they did before I came along. I don't know. There is something special about coming from a big family." Howie shrugged. "I always felt very loved. What about you?"

Samantha twirled her empty glass in her hand. "After my father started teaching at the university, we were hardly ever all home at the same time. You have to keep in mind, I came from an unusual family. Christopher and Peter were 13, in their last year of high school. Taryn was 11, just starting high school. Nicholas was 8, I was 7, we were in middle school. Rachel was just starting Kindergarten. We all had very different lives."

Howie's ears perked up. "Who is Taryn?"

Samantha looked startled. 'Shit' she silently cursed. 'How did I let her name slip out?' "Taryn was my cousin. She lived with us off and on while we were going to school."

'Was her cousin? What are you hiding here Sam?' Howie wondered to himself. "Oh. So you did sort of have a big sister growing up?"

"No. Not really. Taryn and I were never very close." The words flew from Samantha's mouth, almost in a rage. She held her tongue and prayed Howie would drop the subject.

"I see." Howie replied 'I can also see I shouldn't push her into talking about Taryn. I have to admit I am curious though. I can't help but wonder why she is so bitter towards her cousin.' "So what about Nicholas and Rachel? Do they have a posse of kids as well?"

Samantha shook her head. "Luckily no! Nicholas and Lauren have 4 kids. Tiffany is 13. Nick is 11. 2 years ago they adopted a brother and sister who's parents were killed in a car accident. Marc is 8 and Kara is 5. Rachel and Michael don't have any kids. I am not sure they ever will. Rachel wants a child now. Michael wants one 'someday'. I hope they come to an agreement soon."

"Not to spook you Sam, but how do you feel about kids? Do you want to have kids someday?"

"Honestly?"

"Yes honestly!" Howie laughed.

"I cannot imagine, going through life without being someone's mother." Samantha looked at Howie and noticed his eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "I definitely want to be a mom someday. I draw the line at 4 kids though!" She kissed away a tear that fell from his eye. "What about you? Do you want to be a dad someday?"

Howie pulled Samantha to her feet and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Once again Samantha, you are holding my heart in your hands. I have never heard it said quite like you just did, but I can't think of a better way to say it. I cannot imagine, going through life without being someone's father." He kissed her lightly. "I love you Samantha!"

"I love you too Howard!" Samantha leaned in and engaged Howie in a passionate kiss.

"There you are!" A.J. called out approaching the table, followed by Kevin. "We wondered where you disappeared to!"

"We didn't disappear Bone! We have been right here!" Howie said separating from Samantha.

"Whatever! You 2 ready to chow down?"

Howie looked at Samantha and she nodded to him. "Lead the way Bone!"