Taken Away

Chapter 20

'Time takes it all, whether you want it to or not. Time takes it all, time bears it away.. and in the end.. there is only darkness. Sometimes we find others in that darkness, and sometime we lose them there again.'"

In the morning

Jamie laid there. Simply watching as Sam slept beside him.

Attempting to put himself in her shoes. Trying to decide the choices he would have made given his life before and the amount of fullness and enrichment his world had gained in such a short period of time.

As she started to awaken. She felt this sense of calm. Her truth now revealed gave her hope. Which is one thing she had been convinced wasn't meant for her. Smiling as she looked over him. He smiled back.

"Good morning." Jamie said softly.

"Morning how long have you been up.?" Sam asked. Looking back at him. Feeling the need to keep the world away.

"A few minutes." "I just didn't want you to wake up and see that I left."

"I wanted to make sure you knew why I stayed over last night."

"And that nothing you told me changes anything between us."

Jamie said to her.

Taking a breath as she sat up. Looking back at him.

"I was a mess yesterday I'm surprised."

"I didn't send you running out of here."

"I don't let people into my life or my heart."

"And you have found a place in both." Sam said. Linking her fingers with his.

Looking into her eyes as he spoke. "You showed me that I was capable of knowing what it meant to truly care for someone." "And I need you know your safe here with me. Wherever we are." Jamie said.

"I always felt safe when I was around you." "Everything is even more intense now because of the feelings we have for each other." "That go beyond friendship." "That we haven't even sorted out yet." "In terms of what it means and where it's going." Sam said. Looking to him.

"I like you and you like me." "That is more than enough for now."

Jamie said. Leaning over as he kissed her.

"I have to go home and change and hope my parents didn't notice I didn't come home." Jamie said. As he started to get up.

"Or we could skip today and spend the day together." "I'm nowhere near ready to let you go yet." Sam said. Taking his hand in hers.

"Sounds great." "But I really do need to go home." "To shower and change and let my parents know I'm okay." Jamie said. As he got up and headed for the door.

"Afterwards meet me at the outside my house." Sam said to him.

"See you Sam." Jamie said. Smiling at her.

"Very soon." Sam said. Looking back at him.

Watching as he walked out of her room. And went into the hallway. Then down the stairs. Slowly walking out the front door. Closing it behind him.

Jamie saw his parent's cars sitting in the driveway. Meaning neither of them had gone to work yet. Which also meant that they knew he hadn't come home. And were waiting for him. Taking a breath. Bracing himself for their reactions. As he turned the knob of the front door. Walking inside closing it behind him carefully. Looking up to see his mom and dad staring back at him.

"James Lucas Scott." "Where have you been all night long.?" Haley said. Her arms crossed in front of her.

Nathan put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure he has a valid explanation for why he didn't come home." Nathan said. Looking to Jamie.

"I'm sorry I didn't call or text." "Me staying out all night wasn't planned." "I was with Sam." Jamie said to them.

"Her parents were fine with you just staying over there.?" Haley asked looking to him.

Jamie took a breath. Trying to figure out how to answer his mother.

"Why haven't we met her parents yet.?" "The two of you have been practically glued to each other since you met." "She's been over plenty of times and I just think maybe you need a break from her for a while."

"You have your own life and things going on." "Basketball, family, your other friends, and enjoying your junior year, focusing on your own future." Haley said to him.

Putting her hand on his. As she looked in his eyes.

Nathan started to talk. Joining Haley at her side.

"It's not that we don't like Sam or want you two to stop being friends." "We just don't want you to lose any more time from your life." Nathan said. Looking to his son.

"I understand what you both are saying and I respect that and will tune more into my own life but I'm not just going to drop Sam." "Especially now." Jamie said. Looking away as he realized that the conversation was far from over.

"What exactly are you saying.?" "What do you mean especially now.?" "Jamie answer me." Haley said. Looking up at him.

"I just came home to make sure you both knew I was alright and to change and get ready." Jamie said. Looking to her.

"Jamie I still need an answer what is so crucial about right now that taking some time away from Sam would be difficult.?" Haley asked.

Jamie knew that he wouldn't be able to be in and out like he wanted.

And that without an answer the questions would continue.

"I said I she could trust me and I can't break that." Jamie said.

Sitting down on the steps.

Nathan and Haley looked to each other than back at him.

"Honey if Sam is in trouble or in need of help you have to tell us."

Haley said. Walking over to him.

Jamie thought back to last night. Then he thought of the day they first met. And all the other days in between. The idea of Sam living in that house like she was. Caused his heart to ache.

Their situations weren't the same at all. Sam was all alone. Between Carrie for most of his life. And his parents now. He never knew what it meant to truly have no one. Knowing the truth now. He had to be honest.

Looking both his parents in the eyes. As he spoke.

"Sam's mom died." "A year ago it was always just the two of them." "Since that time Sam has been living alone and fending for herself." "She doesn't have any other family." "I don't know what to do or how to help her." Jamie said. Looking to them.

"You did the right thing." "Telling us this is going to give her the chance to get some help." "Thank you for trusting us." Haley said. Looking to him.

"She's going to hate after she finds out about this." Jamie said. Looking back at her. As she wrapped her arms around him.

"Or she'll thank you for doing for her." "What she couldn't for herself." Haley said. Hugging him.

"Thank you momma." "I love you." Jamie said softly.

Remembering moments similar to this one. His mom always knowing what to say or do to make the world okay. Even if it was only for a few minutes.

"I love you too Jamie." Haley said emotion thick in her voice. Trying to keep her composure. Tears brimming her eyes. She never thought she would hear him call her mom or tell him he loved her again.

Their son was remembering more and more. He was coming back to them. At last their house. Felt like home.

….

Author's Note: Thoughts on the chapter.? predictions.? Thank you for your ongoing support.