an. The end is so close! Right now I'm thinking one more chapter + an epilogue of some sort. Also thinking of making a "thank you" video to thank you guys for the support of this story! I LOVE ALL OF YOU!


Chapter 29/ The Visitor


Curled up under my sheets with a humidifier as my only friend, was not how I had planned on spending my Saturday morning. But since I had been battling the flu for the past couple days, that's exactly where I found myself. Today looked and felt like it was the start of me getting better. So I was thankful for that. I was finally able to breathe through my nose, but that could be because Maria smothered me with Vapor Rub when she woke up. Man, that burned. I was too exhausted to fight her off though, so she basically had her way with me.

She was currently downstairs making a pot of her homemade chicken soup. John and Mickie were going to be coming over once everything was prepared, they were going to be bringing some other things to complete the meal. Even though I was sick, they promised that nothing too horrible would happen to the babies, since they'd most likely be asleep anyway. Maria said that they have some really big news for us when they got here, I think we all know what that news may be.

In the silence that filled the room, I could faintly hear my phone vibrating across the room. Maria had taken it upon herself to place it over there so I would rest instead of tweeting my life away. After it stopped I walked over to it and saw a number that I didn't recognize on the screen; thankfully they had been kind enough to leave me a voice mail.

"Hey Randy, it's me Samantha. I know that you probably still hate me, but I wanted you to know that I completed my community service. I've even been going to therapy to help myself feel better. You have every right to ignore me or call the cops, whatever but I just wanted to talk to you and Maria about everything. Tonight if that's possible, before I leave to visit my sister for a couple weeks. Just call me back, please."

When the phone shut off, I put it back on the charger and placed it back on the desk. It's been nearly two months since the last time I had seen or spoken to her. Maria had taken my place supervising her visits with Alanna these last couple times. In my mind she couldn't have anything good to say to me. But on the other hand she did sound pretty sincere in the message she left. Is it bad that I'm actually considering letting her come over?

Telling Maria about this would be a risk in itself, but seeing that last time I didn't tell her anything ended rather badly for me; I know what I have to do this go around. Samantha did say that she wanted to talk to the both of us, so it'd be nice to at least give her some sort of warning. It took forever for me to get her to agree to go the supervised visits for me, she didn't want to relive that day on the side of the road. In the end, she gave in. But only because I promised that nothing too horrible would happen. And apparently Sam had apologized then about the whole situation.

I showered and changed into a fresh set of clothes before heading downstairs, I gave Alanna a kiss on the forehead when I entered the living room where she had been playing. Maria's cooking clouded my senses, man I don't know what I ever did without her food. As I walked into the kitchen, I couldn't come up with a good way to even bring up the subject of my ex-wife. So many things could go wrong with me even saying her name, I guess I'll just have to be extremely careful with the way I choose my words.

"Hey babe, when you get done there; do you think we could talk real quick?"

"Well, we can talk now. I really need to get this stuff done, John and Mickie will be here soon. What's up?"

Damn, I was really hoping for an extra ten minutes at least. "Well, um... see. Damn. I really don't know how to say this, so I guess I'm gonna go the cliché way and just say it. Samantha called about an hour ago, I didn't answer because I was in the shower," no harm in a little white lie, right? "But she left a voice mail, and basically she wants to come over to talk to us."

She didn't really show any kind of emotion when she turned around. Then again I don't know exactly how I want her to react. Especially since I don't even have a reaction myself, maybe she's supposed to scream at me or something? At least that's how it always plays out in those Lifetime movies.

"So are you going to let her come over here?"

I shrugged, "Honestly, I don't even know. I was really hoping that you'd have some sort of opinion on this since she asked to speak to the both of us."

"Well, in a logical sense it makes no sense, seeing that she inflicted so much emotional pain on both you and Alanna. But it whatever other sense there is, you deserve to know why she did what she did. And I'm just curious as to what she wants to say to me."

"Alright, so it's settled then. I'll let her know to come over after John and Mickie leave."

After swift kiss on the lips I walked back into the living room to watch the MLB Network, so that Maria can have her space to finish up our dinner. Despite highlights from my favorite team flashing across my screen, I couldn't get how I was supposed to tell John and Mickie about what would be happening later. Mickie would probably be very angry, she hadn't been quiet about her feelings towards Samantha at all. Though, it would probably be worse for me not to tell them. They did live across the street so surely they'd she her car and bombard me with questions later.


Our house was filled with laughter once everyone got there. John had a million stories to tell about his trip to Canada last week. I – due to injury – was not able to go, which turned out fine, since Alanna was in her first play the weekend that they flew out. Mickie talked about having her mom and grandma over for those few days. We had the pleasure of her mom's home cooking on one of those days. Best cook ever, well second to my own moms.

With all the talk and laughter going on between everyone, I almost forgot about the big story I had to tell. If it weren't for Maria constantly nudging me, I would have gladly not said anything at all. The duo was actually getting ready to take their kids home before she piped up, informing them that I too had some big news to share with them.

"So... what's up, bro?"

"Well... Maria and I are expecting a visitor to come by after you guys leave..."

"Why are they waiting until we leave?"

"Um, well Mickie... that someone is Samantha."

"Samantha? As in your ex-wife Samantha? Why on earth are you letting her come over here?"

"Just calm down Mickie, she's coming over because she wants to talk to Maria and myself."

The petite brunette pushed herself away from the table, anyone could tell that she was very frustrated with what I had just told her, "Does she want to tell you why she was a whore, Randy? Is that it?"

"First of all, I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't use that language with my daughter five feet away from you." she quietly apologized before I was able to continue, "And if that's the reason she is coming over, then so be it. Because I for one would love to know why she decided to tear her family apart."

John placed his hand on Mickie's shoulders before she could reply to me. He mumbled something into her ear before taking Alanna and heading upstairs. Mickie on the other hand stayed in her spot, and if looks could kill, I'd be a dead man right about now.

"Do you really think that this is a smart idea right now, Randy? You guys have come so far, and what if this is just another one of her tricks?"

"I know where you're coming from, and believe me when I tell you that, that thought has run through my mind since I got the message. But if this means I get know to something that has bothered me for a very very long time, then I am willing to take that risk."

"Okay, fine. You find out whatever it is you need to find out. But you better believe that I will be watching this house like a hawk for the duration of this visit."

After yelling up the stairs to John, she made her way to our front door. Maria and I said our goodbyes to Brian and Ava, he told us to call them as soon as everything got sorted out. Before we shut the door, Mickie rushed back inside and gave me a hug. She apologized for her outlandish ways and reassured me that no matter what, she'd always be here for me. She did make sure to tell me that her intentions of staking out my house later tonight had not changed.

As I watched them cross the street, I felt the butterflies in my stomach started going wild. I knew that now it was only a matter of a few minutes before Samantha would drive up to the house. I really hope that she has something worthwhile to say. I know that she'll probably ask to see Alanna, but John said something about already putting her to sleep. A kiss goodbye wouldn't be that big of a deal, I guess.

After closing the door, I walked into the kitchen where Maria was cleaning up, "You could just leave them babe, I'll get them after Samantha leaves."

"Yeah yeah, I know. But I don't want to have her say that I don't clean or anything."

After rinsing the bowls and other dishes off, she placed them in the dishwasher and started the cycle. "I started the coffee maker, I don't know if she even likes coffee but I know that I can sure use a cup, or two... or five."

I walked up behind her and placed my arms around her waist, both of my hands rested on her small baby bump. We stood there for a while not saying a word. "Maria, I don't want you to be stressing yourself out over this. If things get too heated for some reason, I want you to go upstairs; that won't be good for you or the baby."

Resting her head back against my chest she sighed, "I know, and I'll try to keep myself as calm as possible. I just hope she's not trying to set us up for something."

Just as I leaned down and kissed her cheek, I heard our doorbell go off. She tensed up a little in my arms, before pulling them off of her, "You better go get it, I'll pour the coffee."

Turning on my heels I headed out of the kitchen, through the living room to the door. Before opening it up I took a few moments to take some deep breathes and get my emotions in check. Once it was opened I saw her standing there, her arms crossed across her stomach the wind blowing her hair back her teeth slightly chattering from the cold.

"Samantha... hey."

"Hi, Randy... may I come in?"


No worries, I'll cover what happens in the next chapter. Didn't want to make it too long! :) Remember one more + an epilogue to go!

xo C.

Next chapter: Fallout from Samanthas visit, and the news that John and Mickie weren't able to share at dinner.