You should know: Michael's shooting happened, but Claudia had nothing to do with it. Claudia and Sonny are married, and although it was a marriage of convenience, their feelings developed into true love. As far as I'm concerned, Elizabeth is irrelevant and Jake is Lucky's.

Chapter 1

There was a tap on the door. Carly poked her head in. "Sam?"

Sam stepped out of the bathroom as she finished putting in her earrings. Carly winced inwardly when she saw her. Sam looked like a zombie, eyes glassy and hollow. This had definitely been the hardest time of their lives.

"Carly," Sam whispered almost inaudibly. Carly took a few large strides and reached Sam just in time to catch her as her legs buckled from the grief.

"Hey, sweetie. It's going to be okay," Carly whispered as she held her tightly. Tears flowed down both womens' faces. She honestly didn't even believe the words herself. How could they survive this? "I'm right here, and together we're going to get through this." Her voice cracked on the last few words.

Sam pulled back and gave Carly the tiniest smile. "Thank you, I don't think I would have made it without you."

"Hey, that's what friends are for," Carly said. Both women welcomed the humor of the irony. Who would have ever believed that Sam and Carly would have become friends? After Sam and Jason had gotten married, Carly and Sam realized that they had more in common after all. Carly may not say it very often, but Sam was probably the best friend she ever had other than Jason.

Taking in a deep breath, Sam wiped her eyes and slipped on her shoes. "I guess I'm ready," she said as Carly was drying her own tears.

In the limo on the way to the church, Sam sat between Carly and Maxie, with Spinelli sitting across from them. Sam gripped her friends' hands, knowing that she'd never make it through today without them.

"How are my girls?" Sam asked Maxie.

"They're doing okay. They still don't understand why Mommy's sad and why they can't see their Daddy," Maxie answered with tears in her eyes. "But they're tough - like their parents. Mercedes is meeting us at the church with them. I figured you needed some time."

"Thank you for taking care of them….it's just been so hard. I can barely form coherent sentences, and my babies deserve more than that."

"It is our pleasure, Fair Samantha. Maximista and I are glad to spend some time with the girls," Spinelli said softly. His heart broke for Sam, Addi and Ava. The girls were mature beyond their four years, but they still could not comprehend the sadness that had surrounded them.

Soon after Sam and Jason got married, their miracle happened. Not only was Sam able to get pregnant, but she gave birth to healthy, beautiful identical twin girls. They had Sam's beautiful chestnut hair and Jason's piercing blue eyes. Their only visible difference was that Addi had a small, almost invisible heart-shaped birthmark on her left temple near her hairline, while Ava's was on her right. Their personalities were quite different, as Addi had Sam's spunk and determination while Ava was more like Jason, thoughtful and wise.

The car reached the church and the five of them emerged into the crisp spring air. Sam didn't even notice the glorious day. She was focused on what lay ahead. Taking her by the arm, Carly walked her into the church. She was surprised to see Claudia Corinthos in the foyer. Claudia looked almost as empty as Sam felt. She stepped over, wrapping Claudia in a tight hug. Both women clung to each other as sobs wracked their bodies. Spinelli held Maxie close and placed his hand comfortingly on Carly's shoulder. Anyone who had known these people in the past would be surprised to see them band together, but the devastation they had experience had made them family.

The explosion that had taken Jason's life had seriously wounded Sonny and several others in the organization. Sonny had massive internal bleeding and was in a deep coma. The doctors didn't to expect him to recover. Jason had been closest to the source of the blast, the investigators had informed Sam.

"Claudia, I didn't expect you to be here," Sam said once they had released each other.

"Sonny would want me here," Claudia answered. "He would want me to come say goodbye for him. Sam, I'm so sorry. I know words are never enough, but that's all I have to offer. I've been so focused on Sonny that I haven't even checked on you and the girls. I just can't believe this happened."

"Don't worry about us…we're being taken care of. Just take care of Sonny and my little nephew there," Sam said, placing her hand on Claudia's belly.

Sam turned to see Addi and Ava with their Aunt Carly. She knelt and gathered her babies in her arms. "I've missed you so much."

"Mommy, Aunt Maxie and Uncle Spinelli told us that we're going to tell Daddy goodbye. That's not fair! I don't want to tell him goodbye," Addi said with a pout.

"Addi, remember? Daddy is gone, but he's always going to be in our hearts. We have to tell him goodbye, but it's okay to miss him," Ava said wisely. "Right, Mommy? It's okay to be sad?"

"You're right baby. Daddy loved you both so much, and we're going to miss him for a long time, but Daddy would want us to take care of each other," Sam said as tears pricked her eyes and she felt her composure slipping away.

"Excuse me, Fair Samantha, but the minister is ready to begin," Spinelli interjected.

hand and followed Maxie and Spinelli through the doors. She turned to Claudia, who was headed toward a pew in the back. "Come on," she said.

"I'll just sit back here…I don't want to intrude," Claudia said modestly.

"No," Sam said firmly. "Come sit with your family."

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