Submission

Chapter Ten

          Now that the day had gone and the sun, along with its loving warmth, had disappeared beyond the horizon, the moon and stars had come out to play. Decorating the night sky in a painting of little balls of light all over the Navy canvas. Samantha stared in awe at her new surroundings. The city turned into the forested country side where trees blanketed the land. She knew the road Christopher was driving them down, but she had never been this far down it before and wasn't quite sure where they were or where they were going.

          Christopher smiled as Samantha watched curiously out the car window at the sites that were passing by them. The look on her face was so adorable. It was like he couldn't get enough of the cute little things she did and he couldn't help but smile at her. Chris wanted to keep this little ray of light with him forever, there was no way he would let her go now.

          After about an hour of driving, the car parked at their destination. From here Samantha could see a bit of light illuminating a small cabin ahead. It was small and quaint, homey and inviting, with trees almost hiding the log made cabin perfectly. Samantha looked to Christopher who gave her a warm, affectionate smile, a smile in which Sam returned happily before turning back to look at the cabin. "Do you want to get out?" Christopher finally broke the silence in the air. "I don't know, are you going to hold me hostage in a secret bunker?" Samantha jokingly asked back with a laugh. Chris just chuckled at the joke. "I'll hold you hostage on the couch and cuddle you to death. C'mon silly." Samantha giggled, now getting out of the car with Chris.

          As they got closer to the cabin, Sam suddenly felt two strong arms sweep her off her feet. A small squeak left her throat in surprise from Christopher's action. Her arms wrapped around his neck naturally, as if her arms themselves had minds of their own as Chris carried her into the cabin home. He carried her over to the living room, where he sat her on him on a red couch. It was a big couch, a comfy one too, big enough for Chris to fully stretch out on and for the two of them to lay comfortably together.

          Around them Samantha could see a glass top coffee table with a weathered wood appearance, birch or white oak she didn't know. Sam was never good at telling what types of wood furniture was made of. But that did not matter. There was also a matching entertainment stand in front of the couch. On it was a fifty inch flat screen TV and four speaker entertainment set. There was a matching loveseat to the left of the couch along with a brown leather recliner to the right of the couch. A few decoritory pictures were hung about. Two basic, metal frame lamps sat on either end of the couch. It was a basic set up but that's what made it beautiful nonetheless.

          Samantha shifted herself so she could lay on her stomach. Chris pulling her closer to his chest. "How did you like dinner sweetheart?" Chris asked Sam. Samantha rested her head on her hands, looking at him. "I enjoyed it Daddy. I like spending time with you." She answered, planting a sweet kiss on his cheek. Christopher pecked a kisses on her soft lips. "I'm glad you do." He said picking up the TV remote. "What movie would you like to watch?" Samantha thought for a moment. "How about....hmm..Harry Potter?" Chris nodded, searching the movies until he stumbled upon the first of the Harry Potter series. Christopher and Samantha cuddled on the couch through the whole movie. Neither spoke. They soaked up the peace and quiet until the movie was over. By then Samantha had gotten sleepy, Chris taking heed of that.

          The movie by now had ended and TV shut off and Samantha had begun to doze off more and more. Chris got up, picking Sam up with him. Since the cabin was small the bedroom was just the next room over. He laid her down. She was so tired that she didn't move or make a fuss, just let out a sigh of content. Chris smiled warmly. He took his shirt off before climbing into the king sized bed next to her. In no time he was asleep with her in his arms.

          The rest of the night was a dreamless comfort. Two people. People who thought they would never find love, thinking that, perhaps, they didn't really need it, laying together, holding each other. One thought love wasn't important to her life and the other had the wrong idea in his mind on what love really was. And yet here they were. Who would've known that Cupid would have found them, let alone bring them together. Either way, Samantha and Christopher were happy.

          Love truly is blind to the heart. But, is it blind to the mind? This question will prove to be a challenge to Christopher. He'd put his dark secret aside for so long for her sake and for the sake of her innocents, however, sooner or later she would find out. What would she think of him then? How would she react? What would she do? Would she leave? None of these questions he had an answer to. This is the first time Chris has ever felt the fear of losing somebody because of who he was and what he really did for a living. Even so, he again put it aside for her. For now Chris would continue to keep it from her. She will find out in a few months time when he planned on taking her on a trip.

          That morning Christopher woke up next to a still sleeping beauty. A gleeful grin forming on his lips. "My darling." He whispered as he planted an affectionate peck on her cheek. Chris then stretched and looked around the room before getting up to make coffee and breakfast for the two of them. Samantha wouldn't be up for a little while so he had plenty of time to make his princess a good breakfast. Better yet her favorite breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and grits, with her every morning cup of French vanilla coffee. Reckon he knows her by now? Samantha was his world, he knows her likes and dislikes inside out by now. Though he won't admit it to anyone.

          While breakfast was cooking and the coffee-a-brewing, Chris made a few quick phone calls. He himself needed to take a trip back to his home in Ireland where he's from and where his family business that his father passed to him is located. The same place his mother and father raised him and still live at. It's not the business you would typically think of either. His great grandfather started it many years ago. Black market, drugs, killings. That is the dark history that Christopher's sir name carries. The past that he would never want his queen to live, even though he knew one day he would have to tell her or she would find out on her own, whichever came first. His thoughts could ramble on and on about how badly her finding out could or could not go. Henceforth the reason that it indeed is rambling.

          In the middle of one of his phone calls he heard sleepy footsteps enter into the kitchen. Chris looked towards the coffee pot where his eyes met the gorgeous sight of a sleepy blonde bedhead. Samantha made her a cup of coffee and said nothing; Chris knowing this is her usual way of waking by now. "Good morning sweetheart. I made you breakfast." Chris greeted her. Sam gave a drowsy smile, grabbing her a plate of food too. "Thanks Daddy."

           Chris sighed, ran a hand through his black hair, and made himself a plate before sitting down with Samantha. Sam noticed he had something to say but figured he wasn't going to speak until she said something. So, she did. "Is something the matter?" She asked him bluntly. Chris shook his head. "No, nothing is wrong." He replied. "However I do have a question for you." Samantha tilted her head a bit, but stayed quiet for him to continue. "How would you like to go with me when I take a trip home to Ireland? I have to go for business but I'll have plenty more time for you there than at the office I promise." He looked to her face for any sign that she was going to say yes and was met with a face of glittering excitement. "Yes!" She shouted happily. "I've like, never, ever been out of the country before. And I have always wanted to visit Ireland. Among other places." Samantha added to her answer in a ramble-rant of a fashion. "Then we better get ready and get Damon. Our flight leaves at six."

          Later on, after breakfast, Chris and Samantha got ready to head back to her house so she could get packed and get her puppies things ready to go. She made sure to pack enough clothes for the month long trip that they would be long. Damon's leash and spare collar along with his food, toys, treats and crate was all set and ready to go. Once Christopher was done getting what he needed to get packed, he went back to Samantha's to get her. By now it was early afternoon. Lunch time for Sam.

          "Do you have all of your clothes and Damon's things packed?" Sam nodded quickly. Chris gave her a look reminding her of her lack of words. "Yes sir." She corrected herself. "Good girl." Chris motioned for Samantha to come here, which she of course obeyed. Chris took her hand and guided Sam to her knees, a serious expression taking hold of his features. Samantha eyed him questioningly. "Now.." He began, with his palm gently placed upon her soft cheek. "Daddy needs you to be extra good for me on this trip." - "Yes Daddy. I will." Samantha leaned her head into his hand more, enjoying the comforting touch. "Promise? I don't want to have to punish you while we're there. Understand?" He knew she would be as good as possible, but hopefully she wouldn't get into her mischievous moods or get a sassy attitude, especially not in front of his family. God not in front of them. The men in Christopher's family have never been to keen on a woman who does what she wishes or that has an open mouth and mind. If it sounds old school, you wouldn't be wrong to think that. Nonetheless Samantha agreed, promising her utmost best behavior while they were gone.

          Three hours had passed; it was now time to go. Even though they still had over an hour to wait to board the flight Chris still figured they best leave now so he could get some food in his little girls belly before they had to go. It's either that or listen to the famous lines "I'm hungry." until they could get on the plane and get some food there. Little does Samantha know that the "plane" is actually his private jet. Chris has a lot of things that money got him that Sam has yet to find out about. He'd even go as far as to bet she hasn't even stepped foot on or in anything he owns. Minus his house, car, business and cabin. But those are given.

          Thankfully there was a steak house right around the corner from the Seattle Airport. Fonda La Catrina. A Mexican restaurant with good food. Four star rated, decent sized nice looking. Just an overall good place to grab a bite to eat. Especially before a long plane ride.

          Surprisingly the restaurant wasn't that busy. Them being seated quickly was proof of that without having to look around to see that a few tables were empty. Christopher and Samantha had asked for a booth in the back. The two of them ordered their food. Nibbling on the chips and salsa that most Mexican eateries give you until your food gets brought to you. Naturally. Samantha looked at Chris with a silly smile as she was clearly enjoying herself. Christopher chuckled at his baby girl's silly, happy-go-lucky display, even he was cheerful in this moment. Whether you could see it on his face or not, it did not matter none, Samantha could feel he was happier, and that's all that mattered.

          As soon as the food arrived Samantha dug in. Chris not shocked in the least. He's grown used to how much this little lady of his managed to put down and yet still manage to be hungry again in a mere couple of hours. Despite the large appetite she always was slim, fit, and healthy. And he couldn't help but admit it, oh so damn sexy.

          Chris finished his food right as Sam did. The waiter had brought the tab over just ten minutes before that and now come back to cash them out before the left. Samantha sipped on her sweet tea while the waiter cashed them out. Once done, the two of them left for the airport.

          Samantha was practically bouncing along as she walked from pure excitement. It was quite amusing to Chris at first, after a while of her exuberant, over excitement, it had begun to slowly get annoying. Chris put a had on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze and giving her that look that said "calm down". Quickly, Sam got the hint, and instead of bouncing off the walls, she turned her excitedness towards something else, in this case that was a game on her cell phone. Chris smiled at her, rewarding her with a chocolate bar he got her a little bit ago. Samantha returned his smile. "Thanks Daddy." She said as she opened it, continuing to play games on her cell.

          Damon seemed to be doing well being that this was the Dane pups first time in an airport. Hell this would be the puppies first time flying on an airplane. Yet the buzzing crowd and the noise from the planes outside didn't seem to faze the little guy at all. Good for Sam to know and even better for Chris to know since they might be flying more often.

          After passing through clearance, Samantha was a bit confused when she peaked at the tickets that Chris had given her to hold onto. They both said "Private" in the space where it should list the gate that they would get on the plane. Chris felt a tug on his suit jacket; he turned his attention to Samantha now. "Daddy. Why do our tickets not list a gate but instead say private?" She asked confused. With a smirk he merely responded with a simple "You'll see." This made Samantha give him the cute head tilt she did when she was confused about something. Chris chuckled, only making Samantha look to him more, her curiosity peeked at the secret she knew he had. Chris always had a way of doing that. Honestly it bugged Samantha every now and then how he always managed to confuse her like that. Even so, he never steered her wrong and what he kept from her, or surprised her with always was well worth the secretive, hush- hush tactic he used, if you could call it that.

          Finally. After fighting through the crowded walkway of the airport boarding areas that was filled to the brim with other people, Christopher steered off in another direction at the end of all the boarded gates where there was a man in a white dress shirt and blue pants waiting for them. It appeared to be a pilot's uniform, or something of the sort. "Always early and ready to go as usual Mr. Matthews. Is this young lady with you?" The man welcomed. He seemed nice. "Yes she is, and the dog too. We're going to see family for a few weeks." The pilot looking guy nodded. "Of course. Let's be off then." Samantha followed the two of them onto the plane. Damon seemed a bit skittish of getting on, so Samantha had to play with him a bit to show him the gate and the jet it lead to was fine and wouldn't hurt him. After she did that, the now almost year old puppy was more than happy to get on. Christopher watched her do this, waiting patiently till they finally caught up to him. "He's going to have to go in his crate till we get settled in the air hun." Chris explained. "Okay." Samantha agreed, while one of the attendants helped her get the crate set up.

          With Damon comfy in his crate and Samantha and Christopher buckled up in their seats, Samantha watched in excitement and nervousness as the plane set off down the runway. It got settled on the long stretch of runway that it would then begin to speed down at a high rate of speed. The speed that the plane needed to eventually and effortlessly get of the pavement with the experienced help of a trained pilot and co-pilot. Samantha's heart was racing. She was deathly afraid of heights but she likes this. She could see everything up here. It was so pretty that her brain couldn't make up its mind on whether being this high up was a serious warning sign of danger or if it wanted to tell her to enjoy the sites.

          "The cars look like ants from way up here." Samantha said in awe as she stared out the window. Unable to tear her eyes away from the roads of cars and the mountains and scenery down below. "Beautiful isn't it?" Samantha nodded, finally tearing her eyes away to look at Chris. "Yes very much so." Chris placed a kiss on her cheek. "Just like you.." He whispered into her ear, making Samantha blush. "You are just so tempting when you blush all shy like."

          Christopher pulled away. He wanted to have his way with her right here and now but he needed to force himself to wait till they got to his home in Ireland. He could have more fun with her there. "You can take your seat belt off now and let Damon out of his crate. Just let the pilot know before you let him out so they can close the door. Don't need the dog bothering them." - "Okay Daddy. I will." Samantha got up and went to the front where the cockpit door was open. The pilot closed the door, Sam then coming back and letting Damon out of his crate. "So when will we be there Daddy?" Questioned Samantha. "About thirteen hours. We'll be making two stops along the way so the pilots can rest." Chris answered. "When we get there I want to remind you to be on your best behavior. My family has never been the type to tolerate, wild women, if you would. I'm not saying you are, just please mind your tongue and your actions while we are here." Samantha nodded slowly. Suddenly feeling nervous about going now. "Don't worry sweetheart. Just act like you do around me. You'll be fine. And if anyone bothers you or makes you feel bad or uncomfortable, let me know and I'll take care of it. I'm sure my mother and father will love you."

          Samantha let out a sigh of relief. She hoped that they would like her. If not she's going to feel so bad and out of place. Sam has always been one to strive to make good first impressions on others. Now she just prayed to god that she wouldn't mess this up. For now all she wanted to do was enjoy the plane ride to their first stop. This was going to be fun. So far she loved her first time on a plane, well a private jet. She gets to spend unlimited time with Chris, and she was going to visit a country she has always dreamed of going to in the future. This was going to be an adventure.