Chapter 4
Sam's anxiety was escalating as she made her way to the cabin: anxious to get there, anxious that he would think she was crazy for just showing up, anxious that she truly had something to be concerned about. She drove up the long dirt road to the house. It was a long way off the main road. It was a long way from anywhere. She saw his truck and hesitated, but pulled her rental car up along side of it.
Sam walked up to the door slowly, trying to gain the courage to knock. Finally she knocked on the cabin door; there was no answer. She knocked again and still no answer. She walked around to the side of the house, she could see the pond and the dock.
"Mommy!" Sam heard from behind her and turned around to see a little blond girl running from the woods toward her with a dog at her heels and Jack walking at a steady pace behind her. She was confused, very confused. But when the little girl reached her, Sam's body involuntarily bent down and wrapped her arms around her as tightly as the little girl held on. "I'm so glad you made it. I was afraid you were going to miss my birthday, Mommy."
They released one another and Sam stood not taking her eyes off of the girl and her beautiful smile. As the small hand reached up to touch Sam's flat stomach, the girl's eyes became troubled. "Momma, where's my baby brother?" Sam hands reached up and covered her stomach.
"Anna," Jack knelt down to her level and took her in his arms. "Remember that talk we had about how some things are the same and some are different." She nodded. "This is one of those things honey. Mommy doesn't have a baby anymore."
Anna put her head on Jack's shoulder and then buried her face in his neck. Sam thought she saw a tear form in Jack's eye and she struggled to understand what was happening.
Jack stood, picking Anna up as he did. "Come on kiddo. Let's go figure out how we're going to celebrate your birthday; and a cake, we'll need a cake of course."
Anna lifted her head, "Is Uncle Danny mad we missed his party?"
"Nah. He's fine, he's a big boy. We'll celebrate with him when we get back." He could see the wheels turning in Sam's head. He walked past her. She stood there still holding her stomach staring forward. "Sam you coming?" He called out as he neared the cabin. She turned around and followed them.
Sam walked into the cabin. "General?" Anna giggled. Jack put his hand up to delay Sam's questions.
"Anna sweetie, go wash your hands, okay? You got messy out there."
"Okay, Daddy." She was still giggling as she skipped to the bathroom.
"I guess she's used to you sometimes referring to me by rank-"
"Excuse me?" Sam asked looking around, suddenly wondering if she was in some strange dream.
"Carter I know you have a lot of questions and I don't have the answers. I can't explain this right now, if ever. But that's our daughter."
"Anna." She acknowledged and nodded.
He was relieved she seemed to be accepting at least that part. He didn't think he could keep Anna calm if he had to convince Sam she was the girl's mother. "Please try to call me Jack in front of her. She's dealing with all of this pretty well so far, but I'm not sure-" he heard her coming back from the bathroom. "We'll talk after she goes to bed. Did you know that her birthday is two days after Daniel's?" he said quietly. As Anna neared them he cheerfully said, "We have a birthday to celebrate! Six is a big deal. Huge! Monumental!" Anna giggled.