The Long Road Home
Chapter 2
Sam carefully stepped over the two girls that were playing on the floor as she made her way over to the fridge to grab the orange juice, just as Kristina walked into the kitchen.
"Morning." Sam greeted as she set the juice on the table and headed over to the cabinet next to the sink.
"How bad?" Kristina asked as she rubbed her forehead.
"I sent Mom a text that you asked me to come get you and that you were going to spent the night." Sam explained as she handed the younger woman the aspirin and a bottle of water.
"Thank you." Kristina mumbled as she gulped the water.
"I am guessing you are not hungry, so why don't you go take a shower. I laid some clothes that should fit you out in the hall bathroom." Sam offered as she head someone come down the stairs. "Krissy you know that we are proud of you right." Sam called as Kristina stood in the doorway and just flashed Sam a quick smile before passing Patrick and heading upstairs.
Sam didn't say anything and just loudly set the pans in the sink, which caused Patrick to grimace as he sat down. He glanced at Sam before he took the pills that were already laid out for him next to his coffee, "Morning." Patrick tried as he watched Sam get to plates down in front of the two girls that were now at the table, "Had a cop escort home last night, Lucky seems to be a regular at Jake's this week."
"Better than hitting a telephone pole." Sam countered as she cut up Emma's pancakes, "I really don't have the energy for another cover up." She added sarcastically.
"Thanks for breakfast." Patrick thanked as grabbed some food, "Are you working today?" He added trying to break the tension.
"No I have to go to the PCPD." Sam answered as she walked over to the sliding door.
"What for?" Patrick asked concern filling his face.
"They have questions for me, was all Dad said."
"It can't be that bad if no one else was called in."
"I just want this to be over." Sam said simply as she pulled the door open and headed out to the patio.
Patrick quickly shot up and after checking on the girls, who were engrossed in The Little Mermaid, he followed Sam out onto the patio. "Sam." Patrick called as he placed a hand on her arm.
"How long is this going to go on for?" Sam asked in a soft tone, "How can we move on if this man keeps trying to dig up the past?" Sam asked as she turned to face Patrick, "I am happy that Lisa is dead, she caused to much pain for too many people. The police should be throwing a parade for the killer not integrating all the victims ." Sam added.
"I thought getting rid of Lisa would at-least take some of the pain away." Patrick admitted, "It only added to the guilt."
"You did what you had to-do to protect this family." Sam insisted.
"I brought that woman into our lives; I slept with her and made Robin and any other woman close to me a target."
"You made a mistake Patrick, one that Robin forgave you for along time ago. You didn't force her on to that boat."
"I wanted to throw Robin a big party; she just wanted something small. Maybe if I would have listened she would still be here and you wouldn't have..."
"Don't do this Patrick." Sam ordered, "Do not play what if's. It is not going to change anything." Sam added as she forced Patrick to look at her.
"It is the only thing that dulls the pain Sam. I didn't mean for it to get this out of control."
"I know how it feels believe me, every time I see Jason all I see is the pain in his face. He blames himself for everything and that is my fault. I was just so hurt that he pushed me and Maddy away for our own protection I know that. Believe me I know that Franco is a threat."Sam said as she started to tear.
"Not a threat anymore." Patrick offered weakly and he pulled Sam to him, "What is stopping you two from being together now?"
"I said some hurtful things to him in the hospital, I never took his feeling into account; that he found out he was going to be a father and than it was ripped away from him all in the matter of five minutes."
"He understands more than you think."
"He blames himself because I blamed him. I was so hurt I felt the needed to lash out." Sam cried.
"Some pair we are." Patrick mumbled as he pulled Sam into a tight hug, "Sam you need to sort things out with Jason."
"I can't leave you and Emma now. I promised Robin I would be here"
"You need to live your life Sam, you keep taking care of everyone and not taking the time to take care of yourself. I am not saying I don't need you because I do, I have alienated myself from everyone and that was wrong because I realized that I am not the only one who loss someone; You lost your sister, Emma lost her mother and Mac and Alexis lost their daughter." Patrick explained as he heard the door open again. They both turned to see Emma and Maddy standing in the doorway.
"Mommy." The brunette four year called as she ran to Sam, "No cry." Maddy added as Sam lifted the little girl up.
"It's okay baby." Sam insisted with a smile as she turned to Patrick who had Emma in his arms. She laughed as Maddy placed a sticky kiss on her lips, "Someone had too much syrup."
"I am wondering if any got on the pancakes." Patrick laughed as he looked at Emma who had syrup all over her pajama top.
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Sam quickly pressed the up button as soon as she got in the elevator, not trusting herself enough to not back out. She quickly checked her phone seeing if there were any messages, she hoped that there was something that needed her attention. Seeing the blank screen, only made her take a deep breath. What was the big deal? She and Jason used to be able to talk about anything. Why should that change now? Sam was brought out of her thoughts when the elevator dinged and the doors opened to show a surprised Micheal standing there.
"Aunt Sam." Micheal greeted a big grin covering his face as he pulled the smaller woman into a hug, "Is Maddy okay?" He asked as he pulled away.
"Yeah she is good. She is going to be mad at me because Maxie is dragging her and Emma shopping. And let's face it Maddy is Jason and I child so she missed out on the shopping gene." Sam offered with a smile as she stepped into the hall.
"I think Mom and Maxie are trying to change that."
"Yeah, with you out of the house she is now focused on Maddy." Sam laughed, "How is everything here?" Sam asked as she glanced at the door.
"He is getting better." Micheal said in a seriously tone.
"It is good that you are here for him."
"He needs his wife and daughter, Sam. I only know what you both tell me but it seems to be a big misunderstanding." Micheal offered, "He doesn't blame you for that night, I know that is what you someone think. It was that crazy blond bitch that threw you into the freezing water."
"Micheal, I need you to go..." Jason called as he opened the penthouse door, but stopped when he saw Sam standing there with his nephew."Sam." He added after a minute.
"Hi." Sam said weakly as she gave him a small smile.
"I am going to go." Micheal offered before he pulled Sam into another hug, "Trust me." He whispered before he pulled away and hurried into the elevator.
"Where you here to see Micheal?" Jason asked once the young man was gone.
"No I was actually here to see you." Sam answered as she walked closer to him, "But if you were leaving I could come back later. You know that is what I am going to-do." Sam rambled as she played with the zipper on her coat.
"No! I mean no, I am free." Jason replied as he moved closer to her.
"Okay, I mean if you are sure." Sam retorted as she looked at him. Jason just nodded before opening the door and motioning for Sam to follow him into the house.
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Sam took a deep breath as she sat on the couch, she pulled one of the throw pillows on to her lap, while Jason went to grab them something to drink. "You sure you don't want a beer." Jason asked as he handed Sam a bottle of water and opened a beer for himself.
"Yeah, dealt with enough hungover people this morning." Sam explained as she took a sip of water.
"What happened?" Jason asked concern filled his voice as he sat next to Sam.
"It doesn't matter, I actually came her with good news." Sam said trying to change the subject as she set her water down and looked at Jason, "I was called to the PCPD today." Sam started.
"What did they want?" Jason asked as he placed a hand on Sam's thigh.
"Detective Domestico wanted to let me know that they were ruling Lisa's death an accidental drowning. But was nice enough to inform me that it can be changed at anytime." Sam informed the man, looking down at her thigh when Jason tightened his grip when Lisa's name was mentioned.
"That's good. Have you told Patrick yet?"
" I left him a voicemail, but I don't know if he got it, he was starting at the hospital today." Sam explained as she grabbed the water.
"Maddy?" He asked as he pulled his hand away.
"With Maxie and than Carly's for a sleepover." Sam explained as she focused on the picture of the little girl that rested on top of the fireplace.
"So you are alone tonight?" Jason asked as he moved a little closed so their knees were touching.
"Seems like it." Sam answered not looking up from her lap, "Has there been anything regarding Franco."
"No I think people are just going to assume he went underground. Even if there was some sort of investigation there is no way I can be charge. There are plenty of witnesses that saw me on the barge that night."
"That's great." Sam smiled as she placed on top of Jason's.
"A little too late if you ask me." Jason mumbled as he took a swig of his beer, "I did exactly what he wanted."
"What are you talking about?"
"Franco wanted me to end up like him, alone with my anger."
"You are not alone." Sam insisted as she moved her hand to her his cheek.
"How do you see that? I pushed my wife and child away from me for their own protection, when that was all part of his plan. My best friend only talks to me to find out about Micheal. I'd say Franco got exactly what he wanted."
"Jason, you are never alone. No matter what happens," Sam started as she leaned closer, "I am always going to be here for..." She was interrupted as there was a knock at the door. Which caused Sam to quickly pull away and focus on the pillow still in her lap.
"Hold that thought." Jason mumbled as he made his way to the door. As he opened it he saw the last person he wanted to see today.