"TAKE MY BREATH AWAY"
CHAPTER TEN
Title: "Take My Breath Away"
Author: Michelle Heath
Rating: MA for adult situations and language
Summary: Continuation of the "Salvation" series by popular demand
Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately! All original characters are the property of the author!
Date Written: March 23, 2011
(After Sam and Libby have placed their orders and the server has brought their iced teas, Libby leans back and takes a good long look at her adopted daughter with an assessing eye. Sam, knowing Libby quite well, realizes that there's more to Libby's lunch and shopping invitation than just spending the afternoon together. With a little smile playing around her mouth, Sam sits back and lets Libby know that she's on to her.)
"All right, Aunt Libby, what's on your mind?"
"You are, Sam. We really haven't had a chance to talk, just the two of us, since we all got back from Germany. First there was that nasty business with those arms dealers, and then Caroline's and Danny's wedding, and . . I'm worried about you, Sweetheart."
"I'm fine."
"You certainly look good. Of course, I'm positive my son-in-law has a great deal to do with that, and I know Steve would die before he let anyone hurt you, but, sometimes, you need your mother."
(In spite of herself, Sam's eyes become misty and she impulsively leans over and takes Libby's hand giving it a gentle squeeze.)
"You're right, Aunt Libby, sometimes, you do. I honestly don't know what I would have done when Mom and Dad were killed if it hadn't of been for you and Uncle Mike. I don't know what I'd do without you now."
"We're here for you, Sweetheart, always."
"I know, and I'm so very, very blessed to have you in my life. When . . . When I lost the baby, . . . You'll never know how much your sharing what happened with your miscarriages meant. I know it was terribly painful for you and Uncle Mike both to relive those experiences, and it took a lot for you to do it."
"Two of my children were hurting, Sam, and I wanted to try and help ease your pain."
"You did. You helped Steve and me both more than you'll ever know."
"Sam, have you and Steve talked about trying again?"
"Not really. As you said, so much has been going on since we got back, and now Steve has another high-priority case, and . . ."
"Talk to him, Sam."
"I will."
"Samantha, talk to your husband. He lost a child, too. You need each other now more than ever. Don't let this just . . . Fade away."
(Now, actual tears are forming in Sam's eyes and she is struggling mightily to maintain her composure.)
"It still hurts, Aunt Libby! I didn't even know I was pregnant, so, logically, I shouldn't be this upset, but I am. I. . . I don't want to hurt Steve anymore than he already is by bringing it back up."
"Of course, you are, Sweetheart, but don't you think that, if you're still hurting, so is Steve? I won't lie to you, Sam. The two of you still have a long way to go before you can accept what happened and move on, but not talking about it isn't going to help either of you. The doctors said there's no reason you can't have children if you want to, so the only thing holding you back is you. Talk to Steve."
"I will; promise."
"Good, Mike and I are looking forward to having as many little Ninjas running around as you and Steve and Caroline and Danny see fit to give us."
"'Little Ninja's?"
"Well, dear, between a SEAL, a police detective, an FA/18 pilot, and a Radar Intercept Officer, what else would they be?"
(And just like that, Sam's mood turns from one of sorrow to one of amusement.)
"You're incorrigible!"
"That may be but you love me, anyway."
"That I do. . . . You know, when Grace asked if she could call you and Uncle Mike 'Grandma' and 'Grandpa' it got me thinking. If . . . When Steve and I do have children, they're going to wonder why I call you 'Aunt Libby' and 'Uncle Mike'. Would you mind if I called you 'Mom' and 'Dad' instead?"
(And now it's Libby's turn to tear up. Her eyes filled with love, she leans over and kisses Sam's cheek.)
"Oh, Sweetheart, nothing would make us any happier!"
"I love you,. . Mom."
"I love you, too, Sweetheart."
(Libby pulls herself together, and the two women have a perfectly delightful lunch. Just before they leave the Officer's Club, Libby excuses herself to go to the Ladies' room and calls her husband. She tears up, once again, when she hears the tears in Mike's voice after she relates Sam's request to him.)
"We finally have both our girls, Libby."
"Indeed we do, Mike, and Sam is going to talk to Steve."
"I'm glad, Honey. I know that's been bothering you since we got back from Germany. They'll work it out, Libby, they'll be fine."
"Of course, they will. Steve McGarrett would do anything for Sam. That man loves our daughter more than anyone or anything else in the world."
"'Course he does. SEALs don't do anything half-way."
"No, you don't. Life is wonderful, Mike, and I'm so thankful to have you in mine."
"I love you, too, Libby."
(Libby returns to the table, signs their tab, and ushers Sam out the door. While they are standing at the entrance to the O Club waiting for the valet to bring Sam's car around, Sam's curiosity gets the better of her.)
"What exactly is it we're going shopping for, Au . . Mom?"
"A house warming gift for Kono and Tony, dear. Have you seen their new house, yet?"
"Well, no, but I will on Saturday. Steve and I are helping them move in."
"Really? I suppose Chin and Lana and Tony's sweet SEALs will be helping, too. I imagine you're all going to be starving by the time you're finished. Tell Kono that Mike and I will also help them move, and I'll cook dinner for everyone."
(Laughter gets the better of Sam and she has a hard time not laughing out loud.)
"I'll tell her, but, Mom, please don't let Steve, or Dad, for that matter, hear you use the word sweet, in relation to SEALs."
"Samantha, I've been married to a SEAL for thirty-five years. I perfectly understand all that 'He-man' posturing they're famous for, but a SEAL can be just as sweet as any other man. They just don't want to admit it."