This is what happens when you start with a concept, and it evolves into something totally different that needs its own story. Here is what is left of what eventually became the story Back to School.

Growing Up Fast

By WritePassion

It seems like yesterday, we brought him home from the hospital. Today, Samuel is three! Where did that time go? Next month, it will be Esperanza's eighth birthday. She's such a smart kid, funny, adorable, and I love her to pieces. In July, Eve and I will be married four years. I don't even want to think about how old I am! Age doesn't seem to matter when it comes to Eve and me. I thought about it when she was pregnant with Samuel, but after he was here, all my worries were for nothing. I'll still be around when my kids are grown and starting their own families. As long as I can see my grandkids, I'll be happy.

The thing I worry about is my Dad. He seems to forget things that he used to be so sharp on. It's starting to affect his work at Carlito's. If it weren't for the fact that his boss likes him, and he works twice as hard as those young punks who'd rather drink than serve, he would be done. I know Maddie sees it too, but she's afraid and it's easier to stick her head in the sand and not acknowledge that something is wrong.

"Sammy, you here?"

Sam heard his father's voice calling from downstairs. "I'm up here, Dad!" He quickly stuck the bookmark into his journal and tucked it away into a drawer he locked. Inside, beside the journal, he kept some documents containing intel on current and past cases, a gun, and little treasures of life with his family. By the time Samuel Sr. got to the top of the stairs, Sam secured the drawer and met him on the landing.

"Hey, Son."

"Hey, Dad. Is everything okay?"

Samuel grinned at him. "Everything's fine! I just thought we were going fishing today."

"Uhh...that's tomorrow." He glanced at the calendar hanging from a cork board on the office wall, just to make sure he wasn't wrong about the date. "Yeah, that's tomorrow. Because you had to work today, remember?"

Samuel looked at his son with a sense of disorientation marring his features. His brow crinkled in thought. "You're right." Then a grin crossed his face and he chuckled. "Boy, I tell you, when you're retired the days just kind of all run together sometimes! Thanks for the reminder, Sammy!" He clasped his son's arm. "I better get going then, don't want to be late for work."

"Yeah. I'll probably see you later."

"Alrighty. See you soon!"

Sam stood at the landing and watched his father descend the stairs with growing concern. Samuel hesitated half way down, then continued on his way. A few moments later, Sam heard the screen door slam, and he was alone.

He shook his head. "Okay, enough lollygagging. Time to get some work done!"

Sam was glad that Yvette gave him a detailed list of what to buy. As for himself, he had no clue what would make a three-year old's party complete. Being with their son every day, she had a better handle on what he liked, and in general, how a kid his age operated. Sometimes he wondered if he wasn't spending enough time with him, but after talking with other fathers, he realized he was far above average. He was close to Samuel, but he could never compete with Yvette. He was okay with that; after all, that was what a mother did. His own mother spent a lot of time with him, and he appreciated the love and attention. Then again, maybe it was too much. If she hadn't been so clingy, maybe I wouldn't have spent so much of my life looking for someone to replace her.

He picked up the list from the refrigerator door and scanned it. Under the list of supplies, Yvette wrote, 'And don't forget Samuel's favorite ice cream!' in large print at the bottom. "I wouldn't dream of it."

It was another hot Miami day, so the grocery store would be the last task on his list. He went to the shop where Yvette suggested he get the party supplies, hunted down the items on the list, and walked out with a large bag stuffed with everything that would make Samuel's party complete. He opened the shop door and ran smack dab into a woman who seemed to come from out of nowhere.

"Sam!"

He looked down at the platinum blonde who smiled warmly up at him. All he could do was gape for a few seconds until he got his bearings again. After the last time he saw her, he thought she would never cross his path again. "Veronica!" It took him a few moments to form the question. "How..how've you been?"

"Fine, but things just haven't been the same since we broke up." She smiled seductively as she looked him up and down. He stepped forward to get out of another shopper's way and shifted the bag to his other hand. The glint of gold on his left hand caught her attention, and disappointment filled her eyes. "Did you, uh, get back together with your ex?"

"Huh?" It was then that he realized that she saw the ring, and he shook his head. "No, I, um, got that worked out."

"I see."

By the clipped tone, Sam knew he had to explain. "Amanda and I are no longer married, and I...I met someone else. Her name is Yvette." He cleared his throat nervously. "We've got two great kids." Pride won out over his discomfort, and he grinned.

"Two kids? Sounds like you didn't waste any time, Sam."

The hurt in her voice stung as if she'd slapped him. "Well, one we adopted. I'm sorry, Ronnie. It just wasn't meant to be, that's all."

"I really did love you. I was a fool to let you go after you told me you were still married."

He didn't have the heart to tell Veronica that while he was dating her, he was actually a free man. It didn't matter that he was ignorant of that fact at the time. If she found out, it would have only made the rejection hurt worse. "I'm sorry. There's really not much else I can say."

Veronica pasted on some false bravado and smiled. "Well, good luck to you, Sam. And good luck with your family. I hope they realize what a sweet guy you are."

"I think they do." He closed the space between them and hugged her tenderly. "If fate hadn't intervened..." He kissed her cheek. "Take care, Ronnie."

"You too, Sam. Maybe some day I can meet the woman who stole you away." She showed him a toothy smile and walked away.

He watched her retreating form and saw her carefully swipe at her made-up eyes. For a moment, he wished it didn't have to be this way, that things could have worked out with them, but then he would have missed out on so much. The bag in his hand was proof of that. He shook his head, casting off the thoughts of what might have been. Gotta take care of these errands and get home before Eve does. We have a party to put on!

He arrived home first, so Sam quickly put his purchases away and retreated to his office to pull out his journal. Ran into Veronica, literally. I was ashamed to admit to myself that I'd pretty much forgotten about her until today. I thought I loved her when we were seeing each other, and I know she was crazy about me. So how could she disappear so effectively off my radar? I feel bad that I let her drop out of my life like that, but then, it was probably for the best. Meeting again reopened an old wound for her, and I wish that she and I hadn't crossed paths today. For her sake, I hope she never sees me again.

"Axeman! You home?" Jack bellowed loud enough to hear him upstairs.

Sam shook his head and stowed away the journal, locked the drawer, and hurried downstairs before Jack tore the locked screen off its hinges, or Mrs. Petersen called him asking why that crazy man was screaming again.

"Jack, keep it down, man! Otherwise, Mrs. P'll be calling the cops!" He unlocked the screen. "You know she's campaigning to be block captain."

"I hope somebody's running against her." He looked at Sam. "I'd vote for you any day."

"Not me. I just helped get the neighborhood watch off the ground, and like most of the people around here, I don't have the time that woman has. You can't vote anyway. You're in a different neighborhood, pal." He let Jack pass. "Whether she wins or not, I'd like to keep on her good side."

Jack's laughter came from deep inside as he followed Sam into the kitchen. "Don't worry, buddy, she's cool with me, after I talked to her ladies' group about self-protection."

"So that's what your last job was? You must be really hard up for cash." Sam teased. He grabbed two cold ones from the fridge.

"I've got a lot of stuff going on." He paused and took the beer Sam offered him. "So, how's business with you, Mike, Fi, and Jesse?"

Sam took a swig of his beer. "It's okay. Jesse went back full-time to that security firm, so he just helps out now and then. Fi has been taking it easy. I never thought I'd see her slow down, but as she gets farther along, she gets more worried. Eve keeps telling her to just keep going as if nothing has changed, but I think Fi is taking this whole pregnancy more serious than anything she's ever done."

"So it's just you and Mike then, huh?"

Sam shrugged. "Mike is still doing covert ops for Pearce and the CIA, on a freelance basis. I think he's trying to get it out of his system before the baby comes."

"What you're tellin' me then is you're hanging out here with nothing to do, am I right?"

"Yeah." Sam answered and took a drag on his beer. "Hey, let's go sit out on the porch."

Jack laughed. "Getting tired of being cooped up. What's Yvette been up to? I would think you guys would take advantage of the time you're off."

"She's got her own friends, ladies from church, other stay at home moms. Just about every day she's off with them having play dates for the kids or whatever." Sam dropped into a padded chair and motioned for Jack to sit in the one to his left. A small wrought iron table sat between them, plenty of room to set down their bottles. "I'm tellin' ya Jack, I'm starting to get a little stir crazy! I've actually been cleaning house! How sad is that?"

"Come work with me."

Sam glanced at his friend. "You really make enough to split 50-50 and have it be worthwhile?"

"Since when did you get so worried about the money?"

"Not so much for myself. I'm worried about you!"

"I made a lot more as an architect than in the service, buddy. And I invested wisely, so there's no reason to worry about me." He gave Sam a long look and tipped up his beer. Then he swallowed and said, "From what you told me, you weren't exactly in good financial straights before you met Yvette."

"Are you kidding me? I was living off the sugar mommies while I squirreled away my pension." He took a swallow of beer. "Not that I'm proud of that, mind you. It's just the way it was." He shook his head. "Money is not the issue. It's having something to do with my life, and not having the team together the way it used to be...man, I didn't think I'd ever miss working with Fi!"

"Well, until everybody gets their act together, come work with me. I need you, Axeman." Jack's eyes pleaded with him.

"I'll think about it, and talk to Eve."

Jack let out a breath. "You can't make a decision without her? Come on, man, don't tell me you've become..."

"No, it's just that I respect her enough to get her input. If I really want to do something, most likely I'll do it anyway. I just don't want her to be in the dark about anything. It's too dangerous."

Jack nodded. "Okay, I get it." He paused and looked at his friend with amazement. "Gotta give you props, Axeman. A lotta guys would just do what they want and if the little woman doesn't like it, tough."

"It makes things easier in the end. You don't wanna get your household manager in a snit. Believe me!" He grinned and drained his beer. "Which reminds me...the manager is going to be upset with me if she comes home and finds out I don't have everything ready for the party this afternoon!" He stood. "Wanna help?"