A/N: Thank you for the reviews and thank you to HAVERA to making this story better. Please don't forget to review and tell me what you guys think. And everyone waiting for another chapter of The Sacrifice, you guys would have a new one tonight or tomorrow the latest. Thank you.

Chapter 14

"Mom, Sir, please come in." Natalie said and everyone moved aside to let the Braddocks in.

"These are Sam's coworkers and their families." Natalie said and motioned at everyone around with her hands.

"We are really sorry for your lose. My name is Greg Parker and I'm Team One's sergeant". Greg said and shook General Braddock's hand.

"Thank you." He said

"Natalie where are the kids?" Mrs. Braddock asked.

"They're with Sam in the bedroom." Natalie said at the exact moment that Sam came in the living room carrying Kristin with Matthew walking in front him and Joshua carrying Alyssa.

"Mom, Sir." Sam said while staring at his father. Despite their attempt at hiding the tension that usually filled the room when father and son were together, it was obvious that it was still there and the team was quick to pick on it.

"We will give you guys a moment. We'll be in the patio." Greg said and everyone walked towards the patio doors leaving Sam, Natalie, their parents and the kids in the living room.

Once the team and their families were out of sight Melissa Braddock rushed to hug her children and grandchildren. Natalie and her mother started crying and Sam just hugged them both while staring at his father, who was staring back at him.

"I will handle all the funeral arrangements. The funeral will be held here but she will be buried in the family plot." General Braddock said.

"No, she won't." Sam said and Natalie and his mother tensed.

"Kids, why don't you go outside and play." Melissa said and Natalie guided the kids to the back door where Josh was standing guard. He knew that his assistance could be required if the situation was to get out of hand. He picked the kids and brought them to the patio.

"What do you mean, she won't?"

"She will be buried where her husband is buried and he is buried here. That was her wish and she made sure to include that on her will. I won't let you change it." Sam said and glared at his father.

"We will do as she wished" Melissa said and both men dropped the argument.

It has been a week since Stephanie's death. The Braddocks held a beautiful ceremony for Stephanie. A lot of people showed up, her neighbors, her friends and family friends. Parents of the children's friends came to pay they respect. During that week Natalie, her mother and Jules stay in the house with the children. Everyone came to visit every day. Team one and they families, team three, the social worker and Sam. He wouldn't stay overnight but he came every day to see the kids. During that week team three was cleared of any wrong doing and return to work. It was looking good for team one too, except for Sam. They gave him some time to get everything settled with his family before he could go and work out his situation at work.

Today was Saturday and they were all meeting at Stephanie's house. It was supposed to be a play date for the kids but it turned out to be a gathering. Everyone brought food and drinks and try to enjoy life despite the recent tragedy.

"This is good for them." Melissa told Jules.

"It is. It's also good for your family. It must be hard losing another child."

"It is. I know that what I'm about to say may sound cruel and portrait me as a cold hearted mother but truth is, that it hurts less to know that they are dead and at peace than seeing him going through this." Melissa said while staring at Sam. "My baby boy is broken Jules. I didn't lose two children. I lost three. He has been gone since he was 9 years old. And there is nothing we can do to help."

"There is always that can be done. I don't believe that for a second." Jules said and tried to clear the tears that were clouding her vision. She was hurting for Sam.

"There is only one thing that can be done. Unfortunately even doing that won't erase all the hurt and pain that he is been put through. You need to know something Jules. Those kids, Natalie, the team and you are what keep him alive. He still has hope and he will get through all this as long as he knows that you guys will be alright. I can see in your eyes that you love him so please don't give up on him"

"I do love him. That's why I would never give up on him. I was so wrap up on myself that I didn't realize that he was vulnerable and needed my support. But I won't make the same mistake twice. I will be there for him and the kids. I promise."

"I know you will my dear and for that I thank you. Now how about we go and join them." Melissa said and they walked to the patio to talk to everyone.

Sam was playing with the girls. He was carrying Alyssa and he was swinging her in his arm while she giggled and yelled for help to the other girls. It was so innocent until the social worker barged in and started screaming at him.

"Stop! What are you doing? She is screaming." The woman said and walked up to Sam and everyone stop doing what they were doing.

"We are playing." Sam said trying his best to contain his anger.

"Let her go right now. You can't be around them. I'm going to make sure that you aren't made their guardian." The woman yelled and Sam tensed. He put Alyssa down but the little girl wouldn't let go.

"No daddy." She started crying.

"It's alright, go with Aunt Sophie." Sam said and handles her to Sophie. Sophie, Shelby and the rest of team three, except for Joshua move the kids to the other side of the patio to give everyone else some privacy.

"Why did you do that? They were just playing!" Natalie snapped.

"She was yelling." Elena, the social worker replied.

"She is a kid. Kids yell, giggle and cry." Jules snapped.

"Mind your own business lady." Elena snapped.

"Everyone please calm down. You lady scared my granddaughter and I know my son would never hurt her. What is your problem with him? I've noticed that you've been on his case all week." Melissa said.

"He is unstable. He's dangerous and I don't trust him with the kids. He will get them kill too." She said and glared at him. Everyone noticed the hurt in Sam's eyes and then his face was blank again.

"What happened to their parents wasn't Sam's fault. You can't judge him. He is being there for those children since they were born. They call him daddy. He's the only daddy they know and if you take that from them too, then you are worse than the man that pulled the trigger and killed their mother." Leah said as tears were running down her cheeks. She never hurt this much for someone.

"He won't get the kids. I made a suggestion that General Braddock and his wife should take the kids. I passed the information on to the judge and on Monday she will decide who is better fit to take the children. Plus I talked to General Braddock and he said they could take the kids. That it would be better for the children if they go with them. " She said and walked away at the same time that General Braddock walked in.

"You told her that we would take the kids?" Melissa asked. Everyone was so caught up staring at the general that no one but Joshua notice Sam's anger building up.

"Yes, I did. Those kids need a stable home. They need support and love and they won't get it here." He said and looked at Sam. Everyone turned to Sam and for the first time they saw the hatred and anger he felt towards his father.

"On Monday you will tell the judge that you don't want the kids. And if you don't, I swear on Alyssa and Stephanie's graves that I will kill you right there and then." Sam said and walked away leaving everyone stunned, except Joshua, Natalie and Melissa.

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