The next morning came quickly. After Jason and Sam had showered, she checked on Danni and when she returned to the bedroom they spent most of the night making slow, sweet love to one another. As the light streamed in the window, Jason lay in bed staring at Sam sleeping peacefully in his arms. "Damn she's beautiful, I am so blessed," he thought to himself. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead and gently moved a strand of hair behind her ear and whispered, "Thanks for waiting." He watched as Sam smiled in her sleep and realized how exhausted she had been. With Franco, Ronnie, her accident and Jason stuck in Pentonville, she had been strong, but in Jason's arms she felt safe and rested comfortably. As he and Sam lay there naked with only a sheet covering them, he heard the door open.
"Morning!" Danni exclaimed as she walked over to Jason.
Jason put a finger on his lips. "Shh… Mommy's sleeping."
"Can I get in bed with you guys?" The little girl asked innocently. Jason thought for a moment and wondered how he could get out of this one.
"Tell you what, Danni since we're awake and Mommy's sleeping, why don't I come lay in your bed. I'll be there in a minute."
"OK," she replied as Jason felt a sense of relief coming over his face. He carefully moved away from Sam and put on a pair of boxers, sweats, and a t-shirt. He walked down the hall to his daughter's room. She was laying there waiting for him with some books and stuffed animals in her hand. In that moment, he realized he couldn't love anyone more than he loved Danni and Sam.
"Slide over princess," Jason said as he crawled into bed with his daughter.
"Daddy I'm glad you're here. I missed you."
"Me too," he said as he put his arm around her and gently kissed her forehead. Jason read two stories to Danni and she sang a few songs to him. Who would have pictured Jason Morgan reading about princesses and singing silly nursery rhymes, but his little girl truly had him wrapped around her finger. He smiled cherishing the simple things and realized all he had missed. Jason knew he would do anything for his family.
"I'm hungry. Let's see if Mommy's awake yet." Danni said to him.
"I have a better idea. Let's make breakfast and surprise Mommy."
"Yummy. We usually eat cereal and fruit." Jason smiled remembering how Sam couldn't cook.
"Well today's a special day, let's make some eggs."
Jason and Danni walked to the kitchen. He pulled a stool up to the counter, so she could join him in cooking. Jason got out all of the things he needed to make scrambled eggs and toast. He even found some strawberries. He let Danni stir the eggs and then she watched the toaster while he cooked the eggs.
Sam opened her eyes and felt the empty side of the bed next to her. She wondered if she had been dreaming. Was Jason really home? Then she heard Danni's giggles coming from the kitchen and Jason laughing too. It hadn't been a dream. Jason was home and their family was reunited. Sam smiled as she listened to them in the kitchen.
A few moments later, she heard them coming down the hall and decided she should get dressed. She grabbed the nightgown from the floor beside the bed and quickly put it on. Then she climbed back into bed, closed her eyes, and pretended to be sleeping.
"Mommy's still asleep," she heard Jason say. Jason saw Sam's nightgown was gone from the floor and knew she had been awake at one time.
"Let's be quiet," her daughter replied. Danni walked into the room tiptoeing like a mouse and Jason chuckled. She reminded him so much of a mini Sam. Danni poked Sam's arm. Jason was standing behind her holding a tray.
"Mommy rise and shine," she whispered. Sam smiled, it was a phrase Danni heard her say a few times, so she wasn't surprised, but shocked to hear her using it. She opened her eyes.
"Well what do we have here?"
"Good Morning, we made breakfast," the little girl said proudly as she climbed into bed beside Sam. "Daddy is a good cook."
Sam laughed. "He is?" she questioned playfully.
"Yes we made eggs and toast and strawberries." Sam looked at Jason holding the tray with 3 plates, a glass of orange juice, and 2 cups of coffee. Jason put the tray down in front of Sam and kissed her tenderly on the lips.
"Good Morning," Jason whispered as he handed her and Danni their plates.
"Wow isn't this a treat, breakfast in bed," Sam said looking over at her daughter who was grinning from ear to ear, obviously very proud of herself and delighted to be enjoying this time with her parents.
After Danni and Sam had their plates, Jason settled on the other side of Danni in bed and they ate. "So what do you want to do today Danni?" Sam asked.
"I want Daddy to go to the park with me." Sam smiled and looked over to Jason who nodded. After being in Pentonville so long, he was looking forward to spending some time outside.
"We can go to the park, but after that I have an idea of somewhere else we can go," Jason said.
Just then Jason's cell phone rang. Sam looked into his eyes and he shrugged. "At least we had some time alone"
"It's Carly," he said looking at the caller id, "Hello-"
"Jason why is it that I have to hear it from Sonny that you're home? Look Jason, I'm so excited. I can't wait to see you—"
"Carly right now I am spending some time with Sam and Danni, they need me and it's been a long time." As Sam heard those words her heart melted, she never expected Jason to say no to Carly, but it really excited her.
"OK, I understand, but tonight you are invited to a party at our house. I am inviting Alexis and the girls, Sonny, Maxie, Spinelli, and a few other people. It's a welcome home party and you're the guest of honor, so be here at 7."
"Carly you know I don't like parties."
"Come on Jason, I am so thankful for what you did for Michael and I know everyone would want to see you and Sam and Danni together. Put on a smile and enjoy."
"Carly I have to check with Sam first."
"Great. See you tonight and I promise I won't bother you until then."
Sam was laughing listening to the conversation. She figured Carly wanted Jason to be somewhere for something and it made her happy to hear Jason say he needed to be with her and Danni.
"What was that all about?" she asked Jason.
"Carly's having a welcome home party tonight… for me."
"Oooh I love parties," Danni exclaimed.
"She didn't get that from you or me," Sam said as Jason smiled. "Word to the wise s-p-e-l-l in front of her."
Jason laughed to himself. "T-H-A-N-K-S for the tip," he said sarcastically as Sam hit him on the shoulder playfully.
"So it's settled today will be our time. We'll go to the park and where ever else Daddy wants to, but tonight we go to Aunt Carly's for a party."
"All right!" Danni cheered. Sam smiled, she didn't know how things could get any better than they were right now.
After a while, Jason, Sam and Danni were finished eating and had put their dishes back on the tray. Sam had settled into Jason's arms and Danni was lying in front of her. In that moment, everything seemed right.
"We'd better get going if we're going to make it to the park and be ready for Aunt Carly's party," Sam said.
"I'll clean these dishes," Jason offered.
"I can help!" Danni exclaimed, she obviously wasn't having any trouble connecting with Jason.
"Well why don't you two work on that and I'll take a shower and then I can get you dressed baby girl."
"I'll take the heavy tray, but why don't you take the trash and these forks," Jason suggested.
"All right Daddy, I love you being here!" Danni said as she walked out of the room with a huge smile all over her face. Jason smiled.
"I've waited so long to see you as a Dad. You're great with her," Sam said to Jason as she pulled him closer and kissed him on the lips. He opened his mouth and she moaned softly as their tongues battled for control. Sam pulled away quickly because she knew after the previous night that one thing would lead to another.
"I love you Sam."
"Love you too, you'd better get out there or she'll come looking for you," she laughed as she grabbed her robe and headed into the bathroom.
After Sam, Jason, and Danni shared a leisurely morning cleaning up the breakfast dishes and getting dressed, they were planning to head off to the park. Sam's phone rang. She looked at the caller ID- unknown number.
"Hello-" she said.
"Miss McCall, I'd like to request your PI services," the female voice was soft and unrecognizable.
"I'm sorry but this is my private number, can I schedule an appointment at my office later this week?"
"No, it is imperative that I meet with you today, I will compensate you well."
"Uh-ok, but I need your name and a contact number," Sam was skeptical, but she never turned down a challenge or a case."
"My name is Isabella and I'll meet you at your PI office in an hour," the voice was soft, but firm and Sam was puzzled by the whole conversation. She rolled her eyes questionably and hung up the phone.
"That was really weird," Sam said to Jason, "A woman named Isabella called on my private number and has a PI case that can't wait."
"Sam, be very careful, you just don't know."
"Relax, Jason. I've learned that that beautiful little girl is important and even though I'm a danger junkie, I will be careful. I can take care of myself."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer for a hug, "I know you can, just call me for backup."
"Ok," she said as she pulled away from him. "Can you handle Daddy duty at the park while I check in at the office? I'll call you when the appointment is over and meet you there."
"Sam, please be very careful. I have an errand to run, so we'll do that first and then head to the park. Call me and we'll meet up later."
Danni was over on the sofa watching television. Sam walked over and sat down next to her, turning the tv off.
"But Mommy," the little girl protested.
"Hey sweetheart, I need to talk to you for a minute," Sam waited until she had her daughter's full attention and Jason looked on smiling, Sam was the mother he knew she always would be and Danni was an amazing little girl. "Mommy has to go to work, but you get to stay with Daddy. He is going to run an errand and then he is going to take you to the park. I'll meet you at the park." Sam pulled her daughter closer and hugged her. "I love you baby girl."
"I love you too Mommy!" Danni said.
Sam walked over to Jason who had been looking on. He pulled her in for a kiss. "Be careful," he whispered.
"I will and I'll call for backup."
"I love you. See you soon." Jason said.
"I love you too. Bye Danni. Be a good girl for Daddy."
Sam walked out of the apartment and although she was looking forward to the mysterious case, she didn't like being pulled away from Jason and Danni. It had felt so natural to spend time with them.
Jason and Danni got ready and walked out of the apartment and into the parking garage. Jason's SUV sat there and Sam had left Danni's booster seat. Jason strapped the little girl in. As he sat in the driver's seat, he listened to his inquisitive daughter.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"First we are going to my penthouse and then we're going shopping."
"Shopping?" She asked.
"You and Mommy are so special to me, I want to find something to show you how much you mean to me. Can you keep a secret sweetie?"
Jason and Danni went to the penthouse where Jason showed his daughter where he and Sam used to live. It wasn't the first time Danni had visited the penthouse, but it was the first time she had been there with her father. Jason didn't want to take his daughter away from Sam's place, so he figured they'd live there for now and then find a bigger place later. Jason figured he'd just rent his penthouse to Spinelli and Maxie who had obviously become at home in his place. After they left the penthouse, they did a little bit of shopping and went to the park. As they walked down the path, Danni asked Jason about plans to go to Hawaii. His daughter was laughing and Jason was smiling.
"Hey stranger," a voice called.
Jason looked up and he saw her sitting there with three boys running around. That's when Jason spotted Jake. He realized that his son had grown so much. He wondered if his son knew Danni and if Jake was happy. He knew that at the time he made the right decision for Jake, and realized Danni had a brother.
"Hi Elizabeth. How are you and your boys?" Jason tried to be cordial.
"We're good. Hi Danni," Elizabeth said.
"Hi Miss Liz. Hi Cam, hi Jake, Hi Aiden!" the little girl exclaimed. Jason realized she knew Elizabeth's kids.
"They've grown."
"What are you two up to?"
"We're meeting Sam here soon and then we're getting ready for a party, so it's going to be a busy day. We better move along. Good to see you and the boys Elizabeth." Jason felt his conversation with Elizabeth was awkward and forced. He realized Jake didn't even know him and he and Danni walked further into the park to a play area.
Sam walked into her office to find it empty. She swore she did all the work and that Spinelli was good for his tech expertise, but other than that not a good partner. Sam wondered to herself who Isabella was and what her case could be. She started listening to some messages when the door opened and in walked a petite woman with dark skin and hair. She was dressed in fine clothing and wore lots of jewelry, obviously from a very wealthy family.
"Good Afternoon Isabella, your call sounded urgent."
"Yes Ma'am. I need your help in locating a missing person."
"Who is missing?" Sam asked.
"My brother, Father Mateo Ruiz," the woman said urgently.
Just the name Ruiz made Sam's skin crawl. She wondered what this woman was looking for and if she had any idea of Sam's history with Manny.
"I see, when did you last see your brother Mateo?"
"Well it's been five years since we've seen him and about 3 years since we've heard from him on the phone," the woman continued.
Sam collected information from the woman and promised that she would look into the case and get back to her. Sam wasn't positive she was going to be able to take the case. It brought back a lot of memories, but she knew that Jason would be able to help her figure things out. She was looking forward to working with Jason again.