IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL

Chapter 11

Elizabeth flips through the charts of patients being seen today by Dr. Lee. Sam's is in the middle and she suddenly begins to have some doubts. How is she ever going to get away with something like this, she wonders to herself. What makes her think she even has the right?

She looks down at her blossoming belly and smiles gently at it. Her child is depending on her to make things right. The little life inside of her gives her the right to do whatever it takes to make sure he or she has the best life possible. She'll do anything for her children. And if making sure Sam holds off on having Jason's kids is the what she has to do, then so be it. All she needs is a few more months. Once Jason sees his child live and in person, Elizabeth is sure he'll come around and do the right thing. It'll be hard for him to leave Sam, but he knows it's for the best. The last thing he'll need is for Sam to try to trap him with a baby. She hates when women do that.

"Elizabeth."

She looks up and sees Lainey Winters walking towards her. It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion on the matter, she supposes. Maybe possibly have Lainey continue to work Sam during their sessions into letting Jason go.

"Hi, Lainey. How are you today?"

"Good. How about yourself?"

"Just trying to do all I can do now, you know. Once the baby comes, things are going to be a lot busier for me."

"Won't you have Jason to help?" Lainey asks, trying to probe the other woman for information to help her get a handle of what exactly is going on in that situation.

"Sam is still refusing to let him have any part in his child's life," Elizabeth sighs. "And until she can get over the animosity and jealousy and realize she's only hurting everyone involved, then I don't foresee anything good happening. I may very well be on my own with this baby."

Lainey just nods. She'll admit that Sam has plenty of animosity, anger, and jealousy as far as Elizabeth is concerned. But it just doesn't seem at all like the woman she's had in therapy for weeks now to deliberately hold Jason back from being with his child. And the Jason she's come to know is deeply in love with Sam. He wouldn't be making plans to leave her any time soon. Elizabeth seems to be a bit confused.

"Elizabeth, did Jason actually say that he wants to be with you and the baby?"

"He did," she insists. "When I first found out I was pregnant, he even offered to marry me. I didn't know who the father of the baby was at the time, but he told me he would marry me regardless."

Again, Lainey is having a hard time reconciling the Sam and Jason she knows with what Elizabeth is claiming.

"That must have been before he reconciled with Sam."

"What difference does it make?" Elizabeth shrugs. "The only reason Jason and I aren't married is because I turned him down and because he thought the baby wasn't his. Now that he knows, there's no way he'd want to miss out on his child's life."

"I don't understand why the baby just can't have two families. You're this child's mother, but you're not with its father. What's so strange about that? Lots of kids grow up perfectly well adjusted with their parents married to other people."

"There's no way I'd let my child anywhere near Sam."

"Why not?" Lainey challenges her.

"Let's just say that she's made some questionable decisions, decisions that I don't agree with morally and I'd rather my child not be exposed."

"And lying for months about the paternity of your child wasn't a 'questionable moral decision'? Sleeping with a man who's in love with another woman while you yourself were still in love with another man, your husband no less, isn't a 'questionable moral decision'? I'm not trying to judge here. I'm just trying to let you see that we all have issues, Elizabeth. Every fault you point out in Sam is reflected in your own life in some way."

"Well, when you see me sleeping with my mother's husband or killing kids, then we'll talk about how my life mirrors Sam's. Otherwise, I'm going to continue to do everything in my power to protect my child, and its father, from that woman's poison."

She leaves Lainey standing in shock, not sure what to think of Elizabeth's outburst. If it were anyone else, she'd worry about them backing those words with action. But Elizabeth doesn't have a malicious bone in her body. And for some reason, Lainey believes that Elizabeth believes what she's saying about Jason wanting to be with her. There's obviously something going on that Lainey just can't see. So she's going to do what was in her mind to do from the start. She's just going to stay out the whole matter as much as possible.

- - -

"I'm so nervous."

Dr. Lee looks at her patient with a gentle smile meant to calm and settle the spirit.

"Sam, I know it's a little nerve wracking right now, but just think. In a few months, you could be holding your baby in your arms."

"You really think I could be pregnant?" she asks hopefully.

Dr. Lee looks through the chart at the test results and frowns. Sam's going to be disappointed.

"Technically, no. Sorry. The test says you're not."

"Oh," Sam sighs, her shoulders drooping in disappointment.

"But, it's not a definite no yet," Dr. Lee hints. "In a day or two, we'll know for sure."

"Why the wait?" Sam is curious.

"Pregnancy tests are designed to detect a hormone called hCG that's found only in pregnant women. Two types of tests can detect this: a urine test and a blood test. The urine test is faster, but can only detect the hCG once it reaches a certain level. The urine test I gave you did not detect the hormone. But that doesn't mean it's not there. There's just isn't enough for the urine test to pick up."

"And the blood test?"

"The blood test can detect smaller traces of the hormone, which means it can detect a pregnancy sooner than a urine test. But, the lab needs a day or two to process it."

"So a few more days and I should know one way or another?"

"I'd say another week and you'll definitely know," Dr. Lee tells her. "If you've conceived any time within the past five to seven days, it may take another test in a few days to be sure."

"I'm feeling pretty sure," Sam says with a knowing smile, her hands resting on her flat stomach. "I have a strong feeling."

"Then I say go with it. Nothing wrong with thinking positively," Dr. Lee smiles. "I'll give you a vitamin booster shot today in case you are, but won't prescribe any actual prenatal vitamins until the pregnancy is confirmed."

Dr. Lee jots down notes in Sam's chart before her pager interrupts them.

"Sorry to cut this short, but I have a baby on the way that doesn't want to wait," she apologizes.

"Not a problem. You go ahead."

"I'll send the nurse in with that vitamin shot and call you when I get the results of your blood test. Good luck," Dr. Lee smiles one last time before leaving.

"Tanya," she says to the nurse in the hall. "I need you to finish up with my patient in this room. I left notes in her chart for what she needs. Once she gets the shot, she's free to leave."

"Is she getting the birth control shot as usual?" Tanya asks, recognizing Sam's name on the chart.

"No, not today, Tanya. Just a vitamin booster." The pager blares again causing Dr. Lee to mutter a curse. "I really need to get going."

As Dr. Lee leaves, Tanya heads towards the supply closet. She's delayed by a phone call at the nurse's station that turns out to be a misdirected call. Unfortunately, several minutes are wasted trying to find out who the nice, old lady was trying to reach. After that's straightened out, she quickly makes her way to get the vitamin shot, bumping into another nurse on her way out.

"I'm sorry, I was in a rush," Tanya apologizes to the back of the woman's head. The woman barely acknowledges the apology and practically rushes out the door. Tanya just shrugs and goes to get what she needs. Sighing in relief when she luckily manages to grab, she gets it and a syringe and heads to Sam's room.

She doesn't see her mystery nurse tossing a label-less vial into the trash, a victoriously smug smile on her face.

- - -

"Two scoops. Please, Jason?"

Tessa looks up with a little pout and some puppy dog eyes that has Jason shaking his head in disbelief. The kid is master manipulator. At least with him, anyway. Anything she wants, she knows how to get from him. Oddly enough, Sonny's worse than he is with her. He spoils her rotten when she's at his house playing with Kristina and the boys. Between Sonny and Milo, it's no wonder he feels the need to over compensate when he's with her. But two scoops of ice cream? He's not so sure.

"Pretty please?"

"Okay," he relents. "Just eat it fast. Sam would kill us if she knew I gave you this much ice cream this close to dinner."

"How about me? Do I get two scoops too?"

He turns around and finds Gia standing in line behind them. He's finding his initial reaction to cringe when he sees her lessening with each day he knows her. It helps that they've all shared several pleasant evenings over at Windemere with Nikolas and Emily. If the two of them don't hold a grudge for what she did all those years ago, then why should he? Besides, she's doing some very good work on his case.

"Why don't you join us," he offers after placing the order for the three ice cream sundaes.

"That would be lovely, thank you. How have you been, Tessa?" she asks, knowing good and well since she sees the child nearly every day. She keeps her door opened to the little girl since she lives just across the hall. She finds it's rather relaxing having her around. It takes away from the loneliness.

"I'm good. Uncle Sonny told me he would get me a pony," she says excitedly, her eyes lighting up when Mike brings her ice cream to the table. "But Jason says we have to talk to Sam about it first."

"Come on, Jason. Uncle Sonny wants to buy the girl a pony. You should let him," Gia teases.

"Well, what if I wanted to buy you a pony?" Jason asks, wiping off a dab of whipped cream that Tessa has already gotten on her nose.

"That's a good point, Tessa. Dads like to get stuff for their little girls."

"Are you going to be my daddy?" Tessa asks, looking up innocently at Jason.

Gia winces, giving him an apologetic smile before sitting back to let him handle the question they weren't quite ready to talk about yet.

"Well, Sam and I have been talking about it," he admits. "We want to keep you if you want to stay with us."

"Cool," she says, taking another bit of ice cream as if the news of her possibly being adopted wasn't the biggest thing in her life. "Does that mean I can call you Daddy now?"

"If you're comfortable with that." He tries to hide his smile, but he can't think of anything he'd like better.

"Can I call Sam Mommy?"

"I think she'd like that a lot."

"But Uncle Sonny will still be Uncle Sonny. And he can still buy me a pony. I'll just have two," she figures, making Jason and Gia smile again at her childlike innocence.

"Yeah, yeah. Just eat your ice cream, kid," Jason says before looking up at Gia. "Anything new with the case?"

"Not much. I spoke with Lainey Winters about being a possible character witness for Sam if we need one. She agreed so long as we only discuss Sam. She brought up some strange things she's noticed with Elizabeth, but she refuses to "gossip", as she called it. I think I might can press her on it if necessary."

"It might be necessary," Jason nods. "I can't figure if Elizabeth is deliberately being so obtuse or if she really believes all the garbage she's been spreading about Sam. She seems to be on a mission to prove to everyone in town that Sam is the unstable one. I don't know. Maybe the stress is getting to her. It's so unlike her."

"I don't think so," Gia scoffs. "This is the Elizabeth I have always known. You've just been blind to her."

Jason doesn't comment. He just shrugs, not wanting to come down on one side or the other. But he visibly tenses when the door opens. Gia turns around to see what's captured his attention.

"Well, well, well. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Or she, in this case."

Elizabeth walks straight to the table and ignoring Gia and Tessa, speaks only to Jason.

"Hi, Jason. It's good to see you without Sam for a change. You think I could speak with you for a few minutes."

"As you can see, I'm not alone," he points out. "I think you remember Gia."

Elizabeth turns and gives her a look, rolling her eyes before looking back at Jason.

"I'd much rather forget," she remarks. "Besides, the last time she was in town, you two weren't exactly friends, either. What's going on?"

"Gia is my custody attorney," he explains, nearly smiling at the frightening sheer pale white her face turns.

"Attorney. Well, this is . . . awkward. But it's awfully unprofessional of you to conduct a meeting with your child, Gia. Should I even ask where her father is?"

"You're looking at him," Jason says, this time unable to hold in his laugh at the look on her face. "She belongs to Sam and me. We're adopting her."

"Why's that mean lady still here?" Tessa asks with a whisper. She turns to glare at Elizabeth, a serious little scowl on her face.

"Elizabeth isn't mean, Sweetie. She's just bitter and delusional," Gia explains.

"What does that mean?" Tessa asks, skinning her nose up in confusion.

"Nothing. Miss Gia is the one who's being mean," Jason says, giving Gia a scolding glare. She just sticks her tongue out at him, making Tessa giggle.

"Elizabeth, your order is ready," Mike calls from the counter.

"I called in my dinner order," she explains. "But I'm a little short, if you even care about your child being fed."

"Just tell Mike I'll take care of it," Jason says, staring blankly at her while she just stands there. "Is there anything else?"

"Since you're being so generous, Tessa and I are going up to the counter to order me a big dinner to go. On you, of course," Gia smiles, taking the little girl's hand and leading her away from the tension at the table that she doesn't need to see.

"You had an appointment a few days ago and we talked then," Jason continues after Tessa is out of ear shot. "That was the deal, remember? I support the baby financially and go with you to appointments. And in return, you decide you're going to sue for full custody and try to keep me from my child because I won't leave Sam and marry you."

"Jason, you know it's not like that," Elizabeth claims. "Sam has this hold on you that's not healthy. And I won't tolerate her presence in my child's life. You are free to be a part of this child's life, but not while you're in your present situation. I feel sorry for you, I do. And that sweet little girl over there. Sam will drag the two of you down to her level. It doesn't have to be that way. Teena has a smart mouth, but I'll welcome her like my own after a little discipline."

"Her name is Tessa and you better not even think of taking her from Sam," he warns her. "You are right on the edge, Elizabeth. I don't know if you realize how far you're pushing me, but you want to stop now. Harass me all you want, but you will not say another bad word about Sam. If I hear otherwise, or if I've learned that you've hurt her in anyway . . ."

He lets the threat hang in the air, the look on her face letting him know that she realizes how serious he is. She nervously goes to the counter and grabs her food, throwing some money on the counter before leaving. After she's gone, Gia comes back with Tessa, the little girl's mouth full of cookie.

"Guess she wasn't as broke as she claimed," Gia smirks.

"Guess not. Sam's really going to kill me," he says with a wince. "A cookie? After all that ice cream?"

"Well, if you want to get rid of the evidence, you better do it now," Gia warns him. "Because here comes Sam."

Jason turns around and smiles, welcoming Sam with a hug.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" He leans down to kiss her, but notices the clammy feel to her skin. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I don't know. I felt kind of weird and stopped here for some tea or something."

She staggers a little, causing Jason's grip to tighten around her.

"Come sit down for a minute," Jason suggests, leading Sam to a chair and signaling for the waitress to come over. He goes to the counter to order her a cup of tea while she reaches out for Tessa.

"Hey, Sweetheart. Looks like you and Jason are having a good time."

"He bought me ice cream. And Miss Gia bought me a cookie while Daddy was yelling at that mean lady," Tessa explains.

"Daddy?"

"He says that you're gonna dopt me and be my mommy and daddy now," she chatters.

"And you're okay with that?" Sam asks curiously, not trying to put any kind of pressure on the girl.

"Of course, Silly. You're the best mommy I ever had."

"Oh, I'm silly now?" Sam asks, tickling the girl and making her laugh. Sam laughs with her and suddenly feels as if her insides are splitting apart.

"Gia," she calls out, trying to disguise her pain to Tessa. "Tessa is a mess. Can you help her wash up?"

Gia takes one look at the strain on her face and realizes something is wrong.

"Jason," she calls to him to alert him to Sam's troubles. Then she reaches down to take Tessa's hand.

"Hey, Kid. How about we go to my place and hang out for awhile?"

"Mommy?" Tessa asks, scared by what's going on even as the adults try to shield her from it.

"It's okay, Baby," Sam tries to assure her. "Go on with Miss Gia."

Jason tries to contain his panic until after Gia and Tessa leave, but the minute they're out the door, he's kneeling at Sam's side.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know," Sam groans as the pain begins to overtake her. "It just hurts. And I feel kind of groggy. Like the darkness is closing in or something."

She sways again, this time passing out completely into his arms.

"Sam!" he yells out, realizing in the back of his mind that he's panicking, but he can't stop himself. He looks down and finds a quickly growing puddle of blood around her feet and almost loses it completely.

"Somebody help!" he yells, scooping her up into his arms.

"What's wrong?" Mike asks, blanching when he sees the blood too. "What happened to Sam?"

"I have to get her to the hospital," Jason says, near tears, but still holding it together. "I don't know what's wrong with her and I don't have time to wait."

"I'll drive," Mike says, yelling out some orders to one of waitresses to run things while he's gone.

"Hold on, Baby," Jason whispers into Sam's ear. "Just hold on for me."

To be continued . . .