Hello everyone, I have decided to publish two chapters this month, a little gift of confinement in these difficult times! I hope you are doing well and that it will bring you a little moment of happiness!

Enjoy!

To Make This Day Count

They had decided to woo each other for a moment, like a couple. Always without crossing certain barriers, respect and duties towards his father, without hiding kisses, hugs or "I love you". They were going to give each other time. The children were made aware of the situation.

Murdoch had asked Scott for permission to bring Sam to town for some shopping. He wanted to spend time alone with her, get to know her. Scott had accepted without any problem, much to Sam's delight.

On the way, Sam observed Murdoch.

"Does something occur to you my child?"

"You look a lot like him!, Like Scott I mean".

"Yes? It's a bit normal, since he's my son!" He teased. "You can take a look at what you would like for Christmas, at the store. Christmas will happen quickly!"

"I already have a daddy! That's all I want!"

"That is very kind of you!"

"Sam? Since my son is your daddy, would you like to call me Grandfather or perhaps Grandpa? I'll give you permission if you want."

"Really? Dad will allow it, don't you think so?"

"Of course! He will be extremely proud of it!"

"Alright! Thanks Grandpa!" She said trying it out!

At the store, browsing the shelves, she spied a magnificent watch on which an inscription could be engraved.

"Grandpa?" She called.

"Yes, Sam? Please. I found what I want for Christmas!"

Murdoch approached. "A pocket watch?"

"Yes! It's for daddy! I want to get it inscribed too! Please Grandpa! I don't want anything else! I promise you! I can work for you if you want. I'll take care of your horse or the others. Can I? "

Murdoch had tears in his eyes. Are you telling me the only thing you want is a present for your dad?"

"Yes! Please Grandpa! I'll work hard to pay for it!"

"No Sam, if it's your gift you don't have to work to get it, I'll give it to you. I will pay for this watch. You choose the inscription. I will keep it for you until Christmas if you want."

"Thank you Grandpa! I have already chosen!"

"Very good choice!"

Thank you Grandfather! Sam threw herself around his waist. He hugged her. He was gruff, not as gentle as Scott, but he was strong and she felt safe.

"Grandpa? It's a secret until Christmas. Promise you won't you tell daddy!"

"My lips are sealed my heart, don't worry!"

"I can't wait for Christmas now!"

Murdoch smiled, Scott was going to be surprised!

On the way home, Sam asked Scott for permission to call Murdoch "Grandpa," just to make sure he approved.

"Of course sweetheart! I'm glad you got along so well with him!"

"He looks a lot like you!"

Winter was beginning to set in and with it Christmas was coming closer and closer.

One morning in mid-December, Val arrived on horseback for breakfast, surprising everyone, but he was always welcome at the Ranch.

"Hi Val, would you come sit and have breakfast with us?" Scott offered.

"Hello, a cup of coffee would be nice, Thanks Scott."

"I have great news, I came immediately. Samantha has no family, her parents were only only children, the birth certificates prove it, her grandparents are also deceased, she is an orphan, the investigation is closed. Which means…. But Scott had already understood and had tears in his eyes.

"Yes! Scott, Sam, the judge signed the adoption papers! I got them this morning!"

Val handed the papers to Scott, the tough but strong man was shaking! It was too much for Sam, she got up and threw herself into his arms! Sobbing.

"My dad!" She said in tears.

"Yes my little girl! I'm officially your daddy! Nothing and no one can ever separate us!"

"I love you Dad! Do you know?"

"Oh I know my baby! I love you too! More than my own life!"

Evi also had tears in her eyes, seeing Scott normally so strong, so upset! With everything that had happened over the past few weeks with Sam's feelings, she could only imagine their happiness! She burst into tears. Scott had snuggled Sam against him on the right side, he opened his left arm.

"Come here Evi" he ordered softly.

Evi got up and threw herself on her shoulder as well, everyone used to seeing her in his arms.

Eventually everyone at the house was crying, even Rita, who didn't know Sam much but could see how she had become Scott's daughter before they even got back.

"Well, we've got to eat or we're going to drown with all this water!" Murdoch declared.

Everyone burst out laughing!

"Dad?" Scott asked, "Can I take the day off? "

"Yes, a ranch worker can replace you, why?"

"Evi, I'm going to keep Sam with me today."

"Really Dad? Are you letting me skip school?"

"Yeah, I'm taking you to Stockton to celebrate! Just the two of us! Do you blame me Evi?"

"Of course not Scott! I understand, you are a wonderful daddy!"

"Really Daddy?" The little girl couldn't believe it!

Scott burst out laughing!

"Really! But enjoy it! This may only happen once in your life!" Scott informed.

The little girl will not let go of her arm.

"I'm not going anywhere honey! Go eat!" When the little girl still wouldn't let go, Scott sighed. "Alright, take your plate and come onto my lap for breakfast."

"Really? It's the happiest day of my life Daddy!"

Scott smiled, it was his goal, he was going to make this the most beautiful day of his young life!

"Dad? Can I skip school too?" Johnny asked.

"No son, you have been my son since birth, no adoption for you! You go to school!" Said Murdoch. "He missed his son's angry gaze.

"Yes Daddy." Johnny said politely.

Scott saddled his horse and they both left, Sam cuddling against his back the entire ride!

"What are we gonna do Daddy?"

"You will see!" He replied,

First of all, Scott took Sam to wonderful stores, bought her two dresses, a hat, a scarf, woolen gloves and a porcelain doll that she looked at, it was an adoption gift.

"Oh Daddy, that's expensive! Thanks! Are you sure?"

"I'm sure! If you see something else you like, make a list for Santa."

"I don't believe in Father Christmas!"

"Maybe not, but you can believe in the magic of Christmas!" Scott replied as they left the store.

"I don't know, but I believe in you Dad! You are my best Christmas present! I don't need anything else!" She said innocently, not seeing the tears in Scott's eyes. He said nothing but turned into an empty alley. He crouched down next to her and pulled her into his arms, lifting her off the ground.

"Look at me honey!" She looked up.

"Thanks for what you just said, that's really sweet! You are an amazing little girl Sam! I'm so proud to be your daddy! I love you!" Sam was crying now too, as Scott hugged her tighter.

"Miss? Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the restaurant for lunch?"

"Yes Mister Dad! With pleasure! She answered.

Lunch was delicious, Scott ordered a steak with potatoes and green beans for both of them, Sam wanting to eat like him.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Dad, I saw a candy store down the street. I have never seen anything like it! Can we go look inside?"

"If you finish your whole plate well, I'll let you pick out a whole bag of candy! You'll have to share them with Johnny. He'll be happy, okay?"

"Really Daddy? A whole bag? Thank you Dad!, Yes Daddy, I will share ... Daddy!"

Scott noticed that she used the word "dad" a lot in her sentences, it made him smile.

Sam was amazed by so much candy!

"Look at this Daddy! All shapes and colors! Have you ever seen something so beautiful Daddy?"

"No my daughter, it's very pretty, it's true, it looks good too, but you have to choose only one bag!, Chose carefully, my girl!"

"Yes Dad!"

Sam walked around the shop, letting her fingers touch the different pots and her little nose fill with new smells.

Suddenly the store owner started yelling at Sam.

"Little girl, did you steal a candy? Where is your father? If you were my daughter, you would already be over my knees!"

"No sir, I just opened the jar to smell and look, I didn't steal anything, I promise!"

Scott, who was figuring out what to put in the children's Christmas stockings, was drawn to all the commotion.

"Sam, come here!" He ordered, his goal being to get his daughter away from the man. Sam immediately obeyed and took refuge behind him.

"Dad, I didn't steal anything! I promise you! I just smelled and looked!"

"I'm sure my daughter didn't steal anything from you sir, she is allowed to pick an entire bag of whatever she wants. Why would she have stolen? She's just a kid in a candy store! Did you see her put the candy in her mouth?"

"Well no, just her hand in the jar and her nose on top. I got carried away, please forgive me."

"Apology accepted, but luckily it's not your daughter where she would have been spanked for no reason!"

"Daddy? Let's go please, I don't want any more candy."

Scott put his wad of bills away in front of the man.

"Alright honey, whatever you want, let's go."

"I didn't steal anything Daddy! I would tell you and I would take the spanking if I had!"

"I know that honey! Calm down. Forget about this incident and enjoy this day, okay?"

"Yes Daddy! Thanks for believing me and not spanking me!" She said as she clung to her stomach.

"I would like a present for Grandpa, Dad !? Evi? ... and Johnny? Sorry, I spoiled your candy surprise!"

"It's okay! We'll find something else."

They shopped in a few other shops, Scott had found a beautiful pendant that opened in half, for Sam, in which he could slip a picture of himself on the right and engrave an inscription on the left. He also bought a beautiful ring for Evi. Sam hadn't seen anything, she was busy on the other side of the store. She had seen a small penknife for Johnny, a pretty mirror for Evi, and a wallet for Murdoch. Scott had hesitated on the pocketknife, but had finally given his permission. He would impose some rules to accompany the gift.

"Well, I think we have to stop here. I can't put anything else in my saddlebags! What do you say? Are you ready for a trip home, honey?"

"Yes Dad! Thanks for the day!"

On the way home, Sam was still hugging Scott with a huge hug on his back! Her cheek crushed against him The man stopped for a moment, the place was beautiful! A small stream flowed peacefully, the birds were singing and the parade of trees as far as the eye could see gave a scrumptuous view over a valley.

"Oh daddy! How beautiful!"

"Yes, it's beautiful!, Let's sit down for a moment, come here, let me hug you, my heart. My chest will be better than my back!"

Leaning against a tree, he guided the little girl on his knees and wrapped his strong arms around her! Squeezing her tight! He felt she needed it.

"Daddy I love you so much! What would I have become if you hadn't found me? It seems so long ago, but at the same time not that much, it's just… how much Daddy? Four? Five months? My life has changed so much! I should be perfect and not do anything stupid to thank you!"

Scott burst out laughing!

"Yes it would be good if you were perfect!" He said teasingly…. "No honey, you're a little girl, nonsense goes with children ... the fact of being curious, of discovering the world, even of answering disrespectfully. Everything teaches you a lesson about your future life. Each spanking or punishment that I give you teaches you a few things, and many of your mistakes will serve you in your adult life, even if you don't see it right now. The Lord put you on my path Sam. He made sure that I found you and he brought us together to be your father! You know Sam, I loved you the second I saw you in the barn that night! You too, I know, I had to hold back your love so that you wouldn't be disappointed if you could not stay! From today, December 14, you are my daughter and I am your father, for life! I love you Samantha!" Scott raised his voice at the last words and the valley echoed him back!

Sam was crying heartily against his flannel shirt. "I love you too Dad!"

"My daughter, I suggest that we celebrate this day, every year, like our anniversary together. You will not miss school every year, do not dream!" He said teasing her again. "But a hug, a drawing, a little attention for this day forever. Even if you get punished, spanked, angry, nothing will ever stop the hug that day. Even when you become a grown lady and you no longer have those pretty eyes sparkling with love for me! It will be our special day."

"I'll always look at you like that, Daddy! You saved me! Are raising me! Love me!"

Scott got up and rummaged through his saddlebags.

"I bought this for you for Christmas, but I want to give it to you now, for our adoption anniversary! Open it."

Sam looked at what he had placed in her hands and discovered a nice cameo pendant.

"Open it," he said again, softly.

She split it open, Scott read the inscription to her. "For Samantha, my amazing daughter, with all my love, Daddy." On the right, the seller had already installed a small photo of himself that he had in his wallet.

"Thank you Daddy! It's beautiful! I'll cherish it forever!" She threw herself into his arms again, and Scott wrapped his arms around her; hugging her tightly against his strong chest.

"Come on, let's get back home or we'll be surprised by the night!" Scott decided.

The second they walked in Sam looked for her grandfather. Finding him in his office, she showed him her doll, her dresses, her hat and most importantly, her special adoption anniversary necklace. Explaining that they would celebrate this day every year, "Even though I might be being punished, been spanked or angry! Daddy said it!"

"It's beautiful my dear! Your daddy made this day count!"

"Yes! I would like to give him the pocketwatch now rather than at Christmas, Grandpa! Can I? I know this is my Christmas present but please?"

"I think it's a great idea! This day is made for a gift like this, it's in my room. Come on, let's go get it!"

"Thank you, Grandfather!"

"Scott was in his room packing away his purchases when a knock rang on his door.

"Yes? Come in! Sam? Do you need something?"

"Sit on the bed and close your eyes… please Daddy!" She added.

"Okay." he obeys.

She came between his knees and put her arms around his neck, hugging him tight! She put a small package in his hand.

"It's for you Daddy!" To make this day count!…. Open it!"

"But Sam? How? Or? What?…. "He opened the small package and was speechless! When he read the inscription, "To the best Dad in the world! I love you! Samantha". Tears flowed from his eyes!

"It is beautiful my dear! I will always cherish it! Thank you! How did you get such a present for me?"He asked.

Sam explained to her Dad that it was her Christmas present from Grandpa and that she wanted something for him.

"Grandpa said 'yes'! I wanted to pay him back by working Dad! I promise you but he didn't want me too. He said "It was my gift from him" so he paid for it Are you mad Daddy? Did you want things that I pay for?"

"No honey! That's very kind of you! You have a big heart for such a little girl! I'm very proud to be your daddy! Come here!"

And he hugged her very tightly to his chest.

Much joy, love and complicity filled the dinner table that evening! Happiness could be seen on the little girl's face!

In the night, Scott heard a soft knock.

"Daddy? Can I come in? Please?"

"Sam? You should be asleep little girl! Come in!"

"I can't do it! What a day! Huh Dad?"

Scott lifted his sheets so that she could slip under. She hugged him. He lifted her so that her head was resting against his chest, and squeezed her tight.

"I love you Dad! Thank you for this day! I will never forget it!"

"Me either sweetheart! I love you!"

They fell asleep peacefully.