Chapter 10

Tom awoke first. He had his arms around Sam's waist and she had her head on his shoulder. He leant down and kissed her lips. This woke her up and she giggled, eyes still closed. She groaned, and deepened the kiss.

"Let's get up."

"Hmm," Sam mumbled, sleepily.

"Tired are we?"

"It was a late night."

Tom leant down for another kiss - that turned into several.

"We should get up," stated Tom.

"Do we have to?"

"Afraid so. Come on," Tom dragged Sam out of bed and into the shower.

"Cheeky," Sam said.

"You know me," Tom answer, before leaning in for a kiss and another and another. He used one hand to bring Sam closer and the other to turn on the water.

They got out the shower about ten minutes later. They got dressed and made their way downstairs.

"Sam, when do you have work?"

"Not 'til ten tonight."

"So, we have the whole day to waste?"

"Hmm, sure. Wait, what about Joey and the others?"

"Ah, well, Chloe is going to be away for two weeks now. I said I would look after the kids. Joey's going to bring them round later. What's the time?"

"Seven. Too early," Sam moaned.

"Is it OK if I just go round theirs quick?"

"Yeah, sure. Why?"

"They need to go to school - apart from Jodie. I can't really leave Joey to get three kids ready."

"Oh sure. Does Joey go to school?"

"He does school work. I haven't really talked to him about going to a school, yet. He hasn't really been able to go to school these last two months, has he?"

"No he hasn't. Do you mind if I come?"

"Not at all. Why?"

"Practice," Sam smiled and went to grab her coat.

"Getting ideas are we?"

"Hmm, wouldn't dream of it. You a father? You're a big kid."

"Oi!" Tom shouted, jokingly.

"Come on!" Sam pecked him on the lips, and dragged him out the door and into the car.

The car ride took less then five minutes, and there was no conversation. It wasn't an awkward silence. Sam was smiling to herself and Tom was keeping his eyes on the road.

"Should a thirteen year old really be looking after younger kids? Isn't it illegal?" Sam asked as they walked up the path.

"Yeah it is. Joey may be thirteen, but he isn't treated as a minor - well, not always. When he was in Hawaii, he worked for the police with our uncle and looked after his cousins a lot of the time, and it was legal. That was America, but, because of that, they allowed it over here - the legal responsibility," Tom replied.

"Ah. So, what did he do with school over there?"

"He went to a few schools in Honolulu, but it didn't really suit him. He got kicked out of three, suspended from two - which Steve took him out of - and then he was home schooled and worked."

"Are you going to talk to him about going to school over here? I'm not trying to get rid of him, no, but at his age he should be in school."

"I know. With all that's happened, I haven't really wanted to bring it up. I think I'll wait until the beginning of the next academic year, for him to start."

Sam agreed and Tom knocked on the door. Jess opened the door.

"What you doing here?" She asked in her small, innocent voice.

"Hey Jess," Tom said, as he knelt down to her height. "Where's Joey?"

"He's getting Jodie dressed," the young girl replied.

"What about Harley?"

"He's watching TV and eating breakfast."

"Ah," Tom said, as he picked up his niece and walked inside. Sam followed and felt a little out of place. She had been practically family for the last few weeks, but she couldn't help feeling like an outsider.

"Joey!" Tom called up the stairs, while Sam found some breakfast for Jess, Tom and herself. She wasn't sure if Joey and Jodie had ate yet. She decided she would get them something, when they came down, if they hadn't.

She heard someone go up or down the stairs. Then, she heard Joey and Tom enter the kitchen.

"Hey Joey."

"Hey Sam," Joey replied, a little out of breath.

"What's up?"

"Three year olds are a nightmare," Joey replied chuckling.

"Ah ha. You want breakfast?"

"A coffee would be great."

"Why don't you want anything to eat?" Tom asked.

"Not hungry," came Joeys reply.

"Fine," Tom sighed.

"I'm just not hungry, mate. I'll have something to eat later. What's the point in eating if I'm not hungry?"

"Fair point," Tom said. He walked past his brother and went over to Sam.

Harley and Jess walked in. "Finished," he said and put his bowl in the sink.

"So, where do you two go to school?" Sam asked.

"St. Greg's private school," Harley replied.

"They're only in private education, because we had the money and Benny wanted them to have the education he didn't get," Joey said, noticing Sam's surprised expression.

"What do you mean? He seemed educated," Sam wondered.

"He went to a private school. Actually, we all did - mostly. But, he always used to get into trouble and misbehave, so he was kicked out and dad sent him to military school. Sam, even you must know the army teaches some form of education," Tom replied. "Right! Lets get in the car."

"How're we all going to fit?" Sam asked.

"I'll walk back to the flat with Jodie," said Joey.

"No, Joey. I want you to take me to school," Harley pouted.

"Sorry, mate. I'll pick you and your sis up. Sound good?"

"Fine," Harley huffed and walked out the room, to get his coat on.

"OK! We'll be off, then," Tom said. He said goodbye to Joey and Jodie. He took Sam's hand and told Jess to go wait by the car, with her brother.

"You sure you're fine walking back?" Tom asked, worried.

"Yeah. It'd be good to get some fresh air, or whatever. Now, go. They'll be late. You've got ten minutes before the bell goes," Joey told his brother.

"Bye," Sam called back, as her and Tom walked out the door.

"Later!" Joey shouted back.