Chapter 26

XoXoXoXoX

In her years of marriage Sam discovered a very interesting fact: the longer you know someone the easier it is to translate what they really mean when they say something completely different. It was all about tone, inflection, and facial gestures. She knew how to decipher Martin and he knew how to decipher her.

When Sam arrived home she found Kelly sitting on the sofa watching TV with her family. Grace was sprawled out on the carpet in the middle of the living room while Martin sat in the chair, catty corner to Kelly. They had the TV playing so loud that they didn't hear come in so she cleared her throat and all eyes turned to look at her. Well, except for Nate who was sprawled out on Martin's lap, snoring.

"Mom!" Grace shouted as she ran up to her and flung her little arms around her waist before grabbing her hand and tugging her towards the coffee table. "Come see what I got!"

Martin shifted to look at her without waking up Nate and said, "Hello, honey," before waving over to where Kelly sat and with a big smile he added, "Look who's here. She stopped by to give the kids some gifts."

(Translation: I swear to god I didn't invite her over. Don't be mad.)

"Hello Kelly," Sam greeted her with a smile so forced it made her cheeks clench. She looked over at all of the kids presents scattered on the table and watched as Grace lifted up each item for her to examine. "You really shouldn't have."

(Translation: What in the hell is she doing here?)

"No, really, it's no trouble," Kelly replied, waving her off. The red headed actress crossed her legs and asked, "How was your book club?"

While the question itself seemed casual there was something in the way that she said it that irritated Sam; some flicker of recognition. She met the actress' eyes and suddenly imagined herself punching the smile off of Kelly's face.

Ka-Pow!

But being a classy woman she simply sat down on the arm of Martin's chair, righted Nate's pajama pants, and casually replied, "It was great. It's so nice to have a night where us wives can get together while our husbands spend some quality time with our children."

(Translation: I do not trust this woman and she better keep the hell away from my family.)

"That's really nice," Kelly replied with her eyes set on Sam. She looked over at where Martin sat and said, "You're very lucky to have such a great husband."

Sam followed Kelly's gaze so that they were both looking at Martin as he released a nervous laugh. "You know, I'm just going to get these kids into bed."

(Translation: I need to get the hell out of this room right now.)

He carefully maneuvered Nate into his arms so he could stand up, cradling the little boy. He smiled at Sam and stepped back before looking at their daughter and saying, "Come on, Grace. Time for bed."

"I don't want to go to sleep," she announced, moving to stand closer to Kelly as if there was some magical powers that a visitor might possess to prevent her from having to go to bed.

Martin stared down at his daughter's big blue eyes and said, "We talked about this, remember? We were only going to watch until mom got home."

Grace jutted out her bottom lip and made no move to follow him. She was clearly overexcited, overtired, and fully prepared to throw a tantrum.

"You have to go to bed," Sam said in her most stern motherly tone. Grace leaned her small frame against Kelly, her hand resting on the woman's knees. She knew exactly what her daughter was doing. She knew that they wouldn't get too mad at her in front of company, this wasn't the first time she would challenge them with this ploy. She had used Danny and Emma for the same cause. "You have school in the morning and you need to go to sleep okay sweetie."

(Translation: Please baby, don't embarrass me in front of this woman. Please, not tonight.)

"I don't want to go to sleep!" Grace snapped back, stomping her foot.

"Grace," Sam warned, company or not, she was not going to tolerate this behavior. "You are going to bed and that's it."

"No, Mom..." Grace whined in protest.

"Okay that's it," Martin said in his most threateningly father tone. He moved Nate over to rest on his shoulder so he could hold him with one hand and with his other hand he reached over and grabbed Grace's hand. "You are going to bed right now young lady." Sam could see Grace try and resist but Martin's hand was tight and his eyes were narrowed at her so she reluctantly dragged her feet over. "Say goodnight to Miss Grant."

"Goodnight," she mumbled, sullenly.

"You know what, I have to go to bed too. I have a long day of rehearsal tomorrow," Kelly said as she stood up. She picked up her coat and put it on. She looked down at the sulky girl and said, "Goodbye, Grace, it was really nice meeting you."

"Bye," the little girl muttered, rubbing her eyes.

Martin shook his head at his petulant daughter and said, "Goodnight, Kelly, thanks again for the gifts. I'd walk you out but I need to get sleeping beauty to bed."

"You're welcome and goodnight, Marty," she replied.

Martin glanced at Sam before starting up the stairs to take the kids to their rooms. Sam watched them go and said, "I'll be there in a few minutes to kiss you goodnight."

Grace turned to look at her and nodded solemnly that she heard her before disappearing onto the second floor.

"I'll walk you out," she said to Kelly as she gestured to the front door. She let Kelly walk ahead as she followed with a happy smile on her face at the thought of escorting her out.

Kelly opened the door and stepped out onto the stoop. "You have a great family."

"Yes I do," Sam agreed with one hand on the door, ready to slam it shut.

Their eyes met in some sort of silent standoff when Kelly smiled at her and said, "Well, goodnight."

"Night," Sam replied watching her walk down the steps. She couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in her gut and decided to just lay it out, let her know where she stands. "Oh, and Kelly?"

She stopped and looked up. "Yes?"

"Everyone I love most in this world lives in this house," she said coolly and calmly. "And I will do everything in my power to keep my family safe and intact. Make no mistake about it."

Kelly stared back at her for a beat before nodding her head and walking away. Sam slammed the door shut and locked it before heading upstairs, emboldened by being straight with Kelly. If there was one lesson she had learned in her life is that tomorrow is never guaranteed but if she could do anything in her power to keep her family intact she would do it. As she climbed the stairs she thought about how she owes Lisa Harris for her renewed way of thinking about family.

XoX

"How are things?" Lisa asked as she sat down in the chair opposite of Sam.

"Good," Sam replied as she settled into the leather sofa. It was early afternoon and the sunlight was shining into the office, creating a patch of light near her feet. "Actually, as far as Martin and I are concerned we are doing really well. We're talking more, laughing again, and, the sex has been great."

"That's good to hear," Lisa replied, jotting something on her notepad. Sam tried craning her head to see what was written but no such luck. "So, I'd like to pick up where we left off last time. Have you talked to your mother?"

Sam shifted uneasily. "I've been really busy with work and she has been stressed out with the remodeling of her kitchen…"

"Samantha, the longer you put off asking your mother about your father isn't going to make it any easier."

Sam clasped her hands and put them between her knees. "I just don't know how to even bring it up. We never talk about him and I would just feel so weird asking about him now, after all these years."

Lisa smiled at her and said, "Sam, if you are really serious about getting to the root of your insecurities about your abilities as a parent and your marriage, you are going to need to face your past and your mother holds the key."

Sam felt tears well in her eyes as she turned to look out the window. "How do you ask your mother why she thinks your father abandoned the entire family without making it seem like you think she might be to blame?"

"Sam, I think you are projecting your own fears onto her," Lisa said, her voice soft. "You can't know what your mom will say when you ask her. But isn't that the point, to ask her because you don't know?"

XoX

Sam still hadn't gathered the courage to ask her mom but she gave herself a personal deadline of the end of the month. However, even with the date set she was pretty sure she would delay the call until the very last minute.

She reached the second floor and checked Nate's room to find her little boy fast asleep in his bed. She sighed and kissed him on the forehead before heading to Grace's room. As she neared she heard Martin and Grace talking softly.

"I'm sorry, daddy," Grace said in a tiny little voice.

"I know honey but you can't talk back like that," Martin corrected her as he pulled her blanket up, tucking her in. From where Sam stood she could see Grace turn her head to look at her. Martin brushed her bangs aside with his fingers and a little louder said, "You are very lucky to have her as your mom." Sam shook her head at Martin's obvious ploy. One look at Grace's face and he had to know that she was standing behind him. "She's beautiful, smart, funny, loving, strong, athletic, and very, very understanding. She's the most amazing woman in the world and I love her very, very much." He paused and softly asked Grace, "Is your mom still standing in the hallway?"

Grace nodded with a big smile.

"Did I mention that your mom is very forgiving, too?" he asked in a teasing tone.

"Oh, give it up already," she grumbled as she walked into the bedroom. She leaned down and kissed Grace on the cheek. "Goodnight baby."

Satisfied that Grace was down for the night they exited the bedroom, leaving the door slightly open. Once they were in the hall, Sam folded her arms over her chest and looked at him. "Seriously, what the hell?"

He put his hand on her the small of her back and ushered her down the hall to their bedroom. "What was I supposed to do? She just showed up."

"So you decided to invite her to sit and watch a movie?"

"Grace wanted to watch," he said as they reached the bedroom. He closed the door behind him and asked, "What was I supposed to do? If I had gotten rid of her before you came home it would have looked more suspicious, like she only visited when I was home alone. I couldn't hide it from you, the kids would have told you all about it." He walked to the side of the bed and sat down. "I figured if you came home and saw how innocent it was then you would know there was nothing to worry about."

"If there was nothing to worry about then why are you acting so guilty?"

"I don't know, I just do," he replied, guiltily. He raised his hands in the air in resignation and said, "After the way you acted the last time we saw her I just don't know what to think."

Sam stood in the middle of the bedroom, folded her arms, and cocked an eyebrow. "She's up to something, Martin. I know it."

"She was just being nice."

"I was getting a definite vibe from her," she replied, staring at the closed bedroom door, considering Kelly's behavior.

"Maybe she was just nervous," he replied, leaning back, propping himself up with his elbows. "You are an intimidating woman, Samantha Spade. You make me nervous." She wanted to be mad at him so she had to bite her lip to prevent the grin from spreading on her lips but it managed to escape. He gave her one of his wide dimpled grins and whispered, "Come here."

"No," she replied, not really meaning it.

"Come here," he said again, sounding playfully adamant. She lingered in her spot long enough to make him wonder before slowly shuffling towards him. He reached up and pulled her on top of him, sliding his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry if it made you feel bad or threatened. She just stopped by to drop off some gifts."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, laying he head on his shoulder. She sighed heavily, an uneasy feeling in her stomach at the look she recognized in Kelly's eyes. She worked her jaw and whispered, "Just be careful Martin. I know the signs of a woman interested in a married man and I see them in her."

She felt him tense up in her arms, not saying a word as he translated what she was really telling him: I know about women like her because I used to be one.