Author's Note at the End of the Chapter...
A Family All Our Own
2 First Day
Jen Olsen awaited anxiously the arrival of her new group of children. She had worked for over 15 years at Harborview Elementary, but she still got butterflies waiting to meet the kids on their first day.
As children started to pour in, she took her time to greet each of them as well as their parents. Soon a beautiful girl waltz inside her classroom taking all her attention. She was wearing a leather jacket over her pink dress and a beaded pink purse. She had to smile at the sight as she walked towards her and her mother. Apparently they were discussing the girl's choice of attire.
"Lila Adela Morgan. You promised your father you would take it off as soon as you got to school."
"Mama I want to keep it. Pretty pleeeasee."
"Lila…"
"Hello. How are we doing over here?" Ms. Olsen asked walking up to them.
"We could be better. I'm Samantha McCall and this is Lila Adela Morgan."
"Nice to meet you. Hello Lila, I am Ms. Olsen and I will be your teacher."
"Hi." The girl replied pouting at her mother and never turning around to look at the teacher.
"What's wrong sweetie?" The teacher asked.
Lila refused to answer. Sam looked at the teacher and sighed. "You'll have to excuse my daughter. She is in the middle of a temper tantrum at the moment."
"And why are you mad honey. Don't you want to be here?"
"Yes." She answered over her shoulder at Ms. Olsen.
"Then what's wrong?"
Lila didn't answer, just rolled her eyes.
"That's it. Excuse us for a minute Ms. Olsen. Lila and I need to have a little talk."
Sam grabbed Lila's hand and walked with her to a quiet corner of the room and keels in front of her. Ms. Olsen turned around to find a new comer.
Elizabeth walked through the doors of her son's kindergarten classroom and her heart started to beat even faster. Her son was going to school for the first time. Away from her. He wasn't a baby anymore staying at the hospital daycare and preschool. He was going to grow up, leave for college and get married and she was going to be alone for the rest of her life…
A small hand tugged at her arm and brought her to reality. She blinked and saw Cameron chatting up whom she realized most be his new teacher.
"Ma'… Ms. Olsen is talking to you."
"Oh… Yes. Sorry… I was just…"
With a smile Ms. Olsen added. "It's okay, sometimes it's harder for the parent than the child."
Elizabeth smiled embarrassed.
"Hey mom, look there's Derek! I'm going to say hi." Cameron said running towards her neighbor and leaving both mother and teacher alone.
Elizabeth watched him go and her eyes glazed over with unshed tears.
"He seems very intelligent and independent."
"Cameron is very mature for his age. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing."
"I talked to him for a moment and he seems well grounded. You and your husband have done a great job. Does he have any brothers or sisters?"
"No. Actually, I'm not married. It's just the two of us. His father died before he was born."
"I'm so sorry. It was rather pretentious of me to…"
"Don't worry, it's okay. Oh, and where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Elizabeth Webber."
"Jen Olsen and is a pleasure to meet you. No if you'll excuse me I have new comers to welcome. Take a look around and get to know the rest of the parents. Once everyone is settle in we'll begin with the meeting."
Jason Morgan slammed the drawer of his desk so hard the pictures of his family rattled in its place. He was pissed and everything seemed to be conspiring against him. Shuffling the papers in front of him, he was still looking for the ship lines schedules and invoices. They seem to have vanished. Sonny Corinthos entered the office without knocking and was gritted with a loud course.
"Damn it!"
"Bad day?" Asked the Cuban.
"You could say that." The blond said in exasperation.
"Having problems with the schedule?"
"Wish I found the freaking schedules first. I've been looking everywhere."
Jason stood from his desk and walked over to the file cabinets, opening a drawer he kept rummaging inside. Sonny walked closer to the desk and started moving files around.
"Which ones are you looking for?"
"Shipping lines from Brazil and South America. We need to make those lines available, but how am I suppose to organize them if I don't have them." Jason finished, forcefully pushing the door closed and turning around.
Sonny had a file in his hand. He gave it to Jason flashing his dimple smile. Jason took it and read the label.
"It has the wrong name. But everything is there."
The older man took a seat and his best friend followed. Jason ran his hand over his hair and sighed heavily. Sonny looked calm and collected while his best friend looked frazzled at best. Compared to the jeans and black t-shirt of the younger man, the ex kingpin wore his trademark Italian suit, silk shirt and leather shoes. Time and worry had given him a few gray hairs, but they made him look wiser.
"What's really on your mind, Jason?" Sonny asked, concern in his voice.
"Our first international ships are due to arrive tomorrow and Milo deleted the information on the data base. I have to redo every freaking route map and assign shipping lines for the whole week… A job I spent weeks doing in advance."
"And…"
"And I missed Lila's first day of school."
"Oh man! That was today? I totally forgot about it. You didn't have to do this, why didn't you put Max on this? I know this was a big deal for the little rascal."
"Well it was for me too. And I really wanted to finish early, but…"
"Leave this and go. Sam and Lila will surely miss you there." His face and tone became melancholy. "You've been there every single time. Childbirth, teething, first words, first steps…"
"Sonny…"
Jason started. But his friend stopped him. "It's okay Jason, that's what I wanted. I asked you to be Lila's father, and you are."
"But you miss her."
With a side ways smile, Sonny said. "I'm her uncle Sonic… And that should be enough."
"She loves you."
"I know."
They both became silent thinking about how much their lives have changed in the last 5 years. Sonny was the first one to speak up.
"So, what are you waiting for? Go to Lila's school."
They both stand up, Jason looked at his watch. "I might make it in time for the parent teacher meeting. Are you sure?"
"Go!" Sonny watched him go with a sad smile on his face.
Kids where playing around the different areas of the classroom, while the parents sat in the teeny tiny chairs in a half circle around the teacher hearing about the plans for the school year.
"… So that's basically it." Ms. Olsen finished. "I really hope everyone gets to know each other, become friends. That would really help us during the school year. Do you have any questions?"
Sam took her planer and read over her notes. She raised her hand and asked. "About the first bake sale… Could we choose parent teams today? I have some appointments and I will need to clear my schedule in advance."
Elizabeth who had been busy taking notes of her own, sat up at the voice of the other woman, it seemed very familiar. She looked up and around the gathering and came face to face with Sam McCall… Jason's Sam. The mother of his daughter.
Taking a good look at the other woman, Elizabeth frowned. Her once long black hair was now cut up to her shin. Her tan skin had become pale. Oh the make up was really good at concealing the dark circles under her eyes but as a trained nurse, pre-med student and once upon a time artist, she had a trained eye. Sam looked thinner and… Elizabeth eyes dropped to her breast, they seem to have disappeared. She could've swear they've had been much bigger 5 years ago.
Elizabeth caught herself staring and looked away, she came back from her musings just in time to hear her name being called.
"What do you say Ms. Webber. You are our last option. Could you partner with Ms. McCall?"
"I-I…"
The petite brunette closed her mouth and pondered the question for a second. Could she take a leap back in time to the life she had left behind? After the birth of her son, Elizabeth had practically stopped going to the places she used to frequent. She tired to stay away from people that meant so much, but who did nothing to make her realize the mistakes she ended up making time and time again. Could she throw caution to the wind and take a step closer to Jason Morgan?
Sam's voice cut trough Elizabeth's reverie once again. "Webber? As in Elizabeth Webber?"
The short hair brunette looked around at the other woman with surprise big brown eyes. Recognition shining through her features and giving Elizabeth a once over, a big smile draw on her lips. Looking around she found Lila standing near the dollhouse as two boys laughed and chatted away. There were around 15 kids in the classroom. Which one was Elizabeth's son?
"What do you say Ms. Webber?" The teacher asked again.
Looking at Sam's hopeful eyes Elizabeth couldn't refuse. "Okay. I- I'll do it."
"Excellent! So McCall and Webber is our first bake sale team. If there is no other questions, we'll finish today's meeting now and I'll see you all next month."
The parents stood and began making small groups to get to know each other. Elizabeth didn't know what to do, should she go over and talk to Sam? Luckily the decision was made for her as her neighbor Susan, Derek's mother, came over and engaged her in small talk.
Meanwhile, the kids where engaging in a very different activities.
"You are just a baby. You should be in daycare." Cameron spat.
"I'm not a baby. I'm almost five years old!"
"Almost five? To be in kindergarten you have to already be five. You are not supposed to be here! Baby…Baby!"
Stomping her foot, Lila crossed her arms over her leather jacket. "I am not a baby you moron!"
"Says miss little biker baby!"
"Shut up you… you!"
The boys laughed at her indignant look.
Sam was turning around after taking another mother's phone number when she noticed her daughter having an argument with another boy. Immediately she made her way over.
Elizabeth was at the other side of the room when she heard her son's voice. She turned around and noticed Cameron acting a bit out of character towards a little girl.
Both mothers made it in time to hear the dispute.
"Booger!" Lila yelled.
"Ninny!"
"Poppy head!"
"Dimwit!" Cameron said through clenched teeth.
"Cameron Alexander Webber, that is not a very nice thing to say. What's has gotten into you?"
At his mother's voice Cameron looked up to find a very mad Elizabeth standing behind Lila.
"Ma…"
Lila turned around and interrupted him. "He called me a ninny and was making fun of my jacket."
Sam walked up to the group and stood next to her daughter. "What was that honey?"
"She said I was a booger and a poppy head. She is just a cry baby!"
"Cameron." Elizabeth warning tone made him stand still.
"Ma…"
Lila laughed at his scared expression.
"Lila Adela Morgan." Sam warned her daughter.
"He started it!" "She started it!"
They both said it at the same time while the pointed at each other.
Mortified Elizabeth shook her head. "That's enough Cam. Apologize to her right now."
"Lila, you too. Apologize to him."
Both of the kids looked at each other through slits and mumbled something.
"I didn't get that, Cameron. Can you repeat it please?"
"I said I'm sorry." He added through clenched teeth.
Sam looked at Lila and the girl added. "Me too."
"Hey that's not an apology."
"Yes, it is."
"So you are a cheater too?"
"I'm not a cheater! And whose the cry baby now?" Lila laughed.
The kid's banter forgotten, both Elizabeth and Sam looked up at each other and smiled.
"Looks like this is going to be a very long school year."
"I guess it is." Elizabeth said she caught sight of Cameron walking away and added. "Hey Cam, don't wander too far. We are almost leaving."
Lila stayed closer to Sam and started to play at the dollhouse and soon another girl joined her.
"I'm really sorry about that." Elizabeth told Sam.
"Don't worry I'm pretty sure Lila had plenty to do with that."
After a moment of awkward silence, Sam added. "It's been a long time."
"Since… what?" Elizabeth answered confused.
"Since we last saw each other. I mean, last time we talked Cameron was a few months old and Lila wasn't even born yet."
Elizabeth's gaze found her son and she said. "Time flies…"
"How have you been? How are your classes?" Sam asked.
Elizabeth frowned. "How do you know about that?"
"I- I- Uhh… I heard Emily telling Monica something about you going to Med School. She was saying your board examinations are coming up."
"Right. I guess Lila has been keeping in contact with the Q's."
"Pretty much. Even though she's not a Quartermaine by blood, they still love her like one."
Elizabeth looked up at Sam with a confused looked on her face. Why wouldn't Lila be a Quartermaine by blood if she was Jason's daughter?
"We'll be seeing a lot of each other around here. Bake Sale and all that. So here, this is my phone number and home phone number. I guess you have that one, is still the same. We are still at the penthouse." Sam said giving Elizabeth a card.
Grabbing a piece of paper Elizabeth scribbled her numbers and gave them to the other woman. "Here, these are my numbers. And in case you can't find me in neither one you can always leave a message at Mercy Hospital."
"So that's what's been keeping you out of the radar… You're not only changing careers but also hospitals. Moved uptown?"
"Yes. We moved after Grams passed away and I went back to PCU. Mercy has a very good Pediatrics Team. I've been doing my internship with them."
"And now you are almost done."
"That's right. A couple more sleepless nights and I'll be a doctor." Elizabeth said full of pride.
Sam's phone started to ring and she excused herself. "Hi, Jason. No it's okay. We are almost done. You will never believe who I was just talking to…"
Elizabeth became pale. Please don't say my name, please don't say my name, she thought.
"Okay, okay… I'll pick up Lila and we'll be out in a minute." Sam said before ending the call.
Flustered at the mere mention of his name, Elizabeth didn't even know what was happening to her. She hadn't seen him in years. Why all of the sudden the nervous energy running through her? Why the butterflies in her stomach at the mere thought of seeing him again face to face? Looking around she saw Sam kneeling down fixing Lila's hair and realized that she felt anxious of seeing him with his family. Pushing the thought away, she smiled at the other brunette.
"We have to go, Jason is taking us out to lunch." A tiny sparkle entered Sam's eyes and she added. "Hey, why don't you and Cameron join us?"
"No, no it's okay. This is a family thing and we wouldn't want to intrude."
"You wouldn't intrude at all. I'm sure Jason would like to see you again."
"I can't, but thanks… have a good time."
"Ok. We will."
Looking at the little girl Elizabeth smiled, she was so beautiful and looked so cute with her mini leather jacket.
"It was really nice to see you again. Maybe this was an omen for us to become friends. I'll call you about the bake sale." Sam added.
"Okay." Elizabeth turned to the little girl. "It was really nice to meet you Lila."
"You too. You are very nice and pretty, but your little boy is not nice at all."
"Well I think it was just a bad first impression. He's not that bad once you get to know him."
"He's a boy. What can we expect? Not all of them are like my daddy Jason."
Lila spoke with her mouth twisted in disgust and at the mention of her father her whole face lit up. Both Sam and Elizabeth laughed at her sassiness.
"Oh honey, I'm pretty sure your opinion will change in about 10 years!" Sam said with a laugh.
"Na, ah… boys are gross!"
"You'll be regretting those words pretty soon baby girl." Sam said grabbing her hand and walking her out of the classroom.
Author's Note:
First of all thanks so much for all of your feedback. I forgot how amazing it feels when your writing gets acknowledged. Second of all, I know most of you wanted Cam and Lila to be friends... But I have a purpose with this story and you guys have to trust me it will get better. As for Sam's secret... that's next chapter's title so you are bound to get some answers from it. As the chapters keep coming you will be getting to know the changes to the lives of the citizens of Port Charles, I promise. But I don't want to get tangled up in too many characters right now. I'm making a huge effort here by writing Sam in a good light so I hope you keep giving this story a chance. Also, there won't be any real Liason interaction until chapter four. Hope to read all of your thoughts and ideas...
