Every mother dreams of that day, the one when they look into their child's eyes and realize no moment in life could possibly get any sweeter. It's sometimes sweet, sometimes crazy. It can even slip by unnoticed. But it can also hit so hard, it'll knock your breath straight from your lungs.

I'm a daughter, a sister, best friend, girlfriend, lover and so much more. But there was no role more important to me than being a mother. The role of caring for, loving and supporting a child of my own. Nothing seemed more important in life then starting a family.

While my life was full of meaning and happiness, it was still so empty. The ever-living memory of the mistakes I've made and the people I left behind. I was reminded every day of how my life changed for the better, and how someone in the past was still a question mark. It was hard to move on from something that remained disclosed.

But with a brave face and an invisible vest of steel, I carried through life. I pulled through with nothing left but a few memories that would forever be burned into my heart. Someone once told me, "Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we've touched". I felt the weight of my baby girl's life on my chest every day. When I showered in the morning, when I ate breakfast, when I drove in the car, when I went to work, or when I went to bed at night, I saw the life I almost had and then had to grip the reality I was actually living in.

"Hey, what time will you be home tonight?" I placed my hand on top of his chest and found comfort in the rhythmic beat of his heart.

"Probably around six. I'm hoping Spinelli will be able to give me some real answers today."

Franco brought himself back to Port Charles, carrying a bag full of secrets behind him. It seemed that every time this guy came around, our lives were literally in his hands. His manipulative and loaded words twisted a noose around our necks and we were brought down with him. Except this time, there was one difference…we were waiting for him.

Jason and Spinelli had spent months preparing for their next run-in with him. They knew when he reappeared it would be with vengeance and murder bleeding from his eyes. Of all people, Jason was his target. He was the one Franco chose. The one that needed retribution. But Jason wasn't going down without a fight. Spinelli found information on Franco that was almost tantalizingly deafening. The police were so violently obtuse to this demon they've unleashed onto the streets.

But while they had something to fight back with, they had no idea what to expect being fired at them. Franco studied people like a globe. He understood that South of Jason's heart were the people gripping on for dear life. That if you traveled North of Jason's cold eyes he'd find a mastermind equivalent to his own, but undefeated unlike his own.

"What do you think this guy has on us? He said us, right? He said he was going to change our lives forever?"

"I don't know, Sam. Probably something about one of our pasts, something that's a sore subject. If I had to guess… imagine the worst possible thing we've ever been through, and he's going to dig at it until we can't take it anymore."

It scared me whenever Franco's name came around, I felt a shudder in my body that traveled through the tips of my toes. But I also felt that festering resentment and anger that had time to boil over. This man had tortured our lives for too long, and I was truly getting sick of it.

"Well... guns blazing, right?"

"Of course." He smirked and pecked her lips very tenderly.

Jason left, slowly shutting the door behind him. I collapsed in the chair, adjusting my nightgown so it fell over my thighs. The cool of the window gave me a chill that my thin pajamas couldn't cover. Pulling a blanket down from the couch I began to wrap myself in it. There was nothing in my past I was unsure of but one thing. I had spilled my life on a canvas to Jason, he knew everything about me, and vice versa. But one thing we hadn't found a way to understand or grieve over was the sudden death of our daughter. We buried a little girl, but whose to know that she was ever our own?

My fingers played with the tag still connected to the blanket. If I closed my eyes, I could hear her laughter. I could feel her hand in mine. If I closed my eyes long enough, I could picture my baby. That's why I didn't sleep. Closing my eyes was just too hard. It's like needing to scream, but not having the voice to do so. It's frustrating until no end.

I gathered myself together in just enough time to make it for my lunch reservations. The Metro Court had become one of the most visited places in Port Charles, well besides the police department that is. Every one mingled there, whether or not they had a room.

"Hi, I'm meeting some-"

"Sam!" Their voices shrilled through the restaurant.

Being a sister was important to me, because I knew how affective that relationship actually was. It meant a lot more than just blood but a connection under the heart. Kristina and Molly were sitting at a table, sipping on Shirley Temples. I gave them each a hug before sitting down and ordering myself an alcoholic Shirley Temple.

"Mom's here, but she went to the bathroom." Molly handed me a menu and smiled.

"Okay! Have you guys ordered yet?"

"Just appetizers."

"Oh good! I'm starving!"

Everything seemed overwhelmingly delicious. Between the burger loaded with veggies, bacon and cheese or the lobster rolls cooked in the perfect temperature. It was a decision I'd have to sit on. Mom came walking out, shaking hands with locals and carrying on conversations with strangers. We were used to it by now. Everyone wanted to talk to the newly appointed D.A. After her stint, she was demoted, but she fought like hell to get reappointed.

"Oh there's my girl! How are you, lady?"

"Good!" I stood to fall into her arms. She held me tightly and kissed the top of my head.

Kristina began telling us a story about some girl in her school. We all tuned in, laughing at her jokes and giving our input when needed, and it wasn't until the food came that my eyes wandered from her. But when they did, the fell upon a spectacle forming in front of me. Jason, Carly, Jax, and Spinelli were all racing towards me. Talking in hushed and urgent tones. Jason grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. His eyes said it all.

Mom was quick to follow us as Carly and Jax led the way. We stood in the elevator, completely silent. Jason just kept his fingers locked with mine. Even the pulse in his fingers was racing. Carly opened a hotel door and let all of us in. No one could sit, they were all too keyed up.

"What happened? Did you find something out about Franco?"

"Sam-"

"Don't do this. You know I'm not fragile, just tell me."

"It's not necessarily Franco, but who Franco knows." Carly interjected Jason and my conversation.

"What does that even mean?"

"Carly, stop it!" Jason raised his voice at her, and turned to me with delicacy. "Franco had connections to Manny Ruiz."

"For how long?"

"Years…"

"Six to be exact." Carly spoke softly in the corner.

None of it seemed to be making sense. Maybe it was me being ignorant or refusing to see the dots Jason had laid out for me, I needed him to draw the lines. I saw the anger shooting from his eyes to Carly's. But for some reason, Carly was being a little more generous towards me then she's been in the past. Jason placed his hand on my arm and rubbed lightly.

"I don't think I understand…What does this have to do with Sam?" Alexis spoke the words I couldn't.

"While Spinelli was searching through Franco and Manny's family lines, he found a birth certificate. For a baby born six years ago in November. The same day- well, the same day you lost yours."

When I tried to swallow the rocks stuck in my throat, I think I swallowed my heart. All of the words tripping out of his mouth seemed jumbled and confusing, even though they were just the opposite. The validity of them didn't seem possible. What truth did Spinelli really find?

Alexis gasped for everyone in the room. Jason's eyes didn't depart once from mine. He was trying so hard to read what was going on in my mind, but I couldn't even make that out myself. Carly and Jax stood together, holding each other up. For the first time, I looked at Jason with such desire for an answer.

"Is she…Jason, are you telling me-"

"We're not positive yet, but Sam, I think your little girl is out there somewhere. And we're going to find her."

Author's Note: Hey all! I've done this story before, and if you've read my stories, you know I have! But I am SO hopeful that one day this will come true!