A/N So here it is, the highly anticipated (at least in my mind haha) second part to Secrets, lies, and the truth. I know many were angry that Jack and Sam broke up in the last one so I will assure you now that they WILL get back together, (I've already written that) just not right away. I have not finished writing the entire story but I'm almost done so I will post one chapter a week until I finish then I will probably post twice a week. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

It's been two days since the funeral, and all Mark can think about is that talk with Jack out at the gazebo. He's been nearly silent since that night. The way Jack knew exactly what he was thinking and feeling was just unreal, he didn't even know he was thinking those things. He looks around the room, Sam is on the couch with Aubry, the little girl that was once so bubbly and full of life hasn't even cracked a smile since her mom died. His dad, Jacob, is in the recliner reading a book, and Luke, the boy that could talk your ear off if you didn't stop him, has been silent and staring off into space. His family, or what's left of it, is falling apart around him, and for the past few weeks, he really hasn't cared. Sam and their dad don't even bother trying to talk to him anymore, his kids don't try either.

Jack's words ring loudly in his ears, "if you push everyone away, there won't be anyone left to help you. It only gets darker and darker from here, and you don't want to be all alone when you hit the bottom, believe me."

What really got to him was when Jack said, "I had no one to turn to, I thought that's how I wanted it, but I was wrong. I allowed that self-hatred to consume me, and I sunk deeper and deeper into that dark hole, and I had no idea how to get out. I tried to get out the only way I could think of, so I put a gun to my head."

How could such a strong and confident man allow that to happen? Mark realizes that he absolutely does NOT want that to happen to him. "Can I have a moment alone with my children please?" He says out of the blue, startling all 4 of them.

Sam and Jacob look at each other with uncertainty. Mark notices his dad giving Sam a slight nod, then she says something to Aubry before getting up off the couch, Jacob following right behind her.

Mark gets up and sits down on the couch between his kids. He looks back and forth at both of them, then he opens his arms and both children lean into him. Mark feels overcome with emotions and cries, "I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you. That will change starting now. I'll do better, I promise." And he kisses the tops of each of their heads.

"I love you, daddy," Aubry says between sniffles.

Luke doesn't say anything but wraps his arms around his father and squeezes as tight as he can.

They sit there for a while longer embracing each other before Mark says, "Now, I need to go talk to Auntie Sam and Grandpa, I'll be back."

As Sam and Jacob enter the kitchen, Sam turns to her father and asks, "What do you think he's doing out there?"

"I don't know, I'm just glad he's not yelling," Jacob replies.

Sam huffs and says, "Yeah, though he's been distant."

"Speaking of, there seemed to be an entire universe between you and Jack, and that's quite a feat being as you were in the same room," Jacob says, looking at Sam pointedly.

"Dad," Sam starts.

"Sam, what happened? I traveled here with Jack and of course he didn't say much, but I got the distinct impression that there's more to your guy's breakup than just the fact that he was engaged to Onica a long time ago," Jacob says.

Sam closes her eyes, this is the last thing she wants to talk about, let alone with her father. Breaking up with Jack was one of the hardest decisions she's ever made, and she'd be lying if she said she hasn't thought about calling him and talking things out. She just can't get past the fact that he kissed another woman. Yeah the situation was bizarre but that's not an excuse.

"I'd rather not get into that right now, dad," she replies.

"Just answer me this, is there any way the two of you will work things out?" Jacob asks, looking Sam in the eye.

Sam returns his stare for a moment, then looks away and says, "I don't know, dad, I don't know."

Jacob feels pity for his daughter, he knows how much she and Jack love each other. He wasn't all that happy about the relationship at first, though he didn't tell Sam that, but he really likes Jack. He really liked how happy Sam always seemed to be. The bright smile she always carried, the light that shined in her eyes, a light that hadn't been there since her mother died.

Before Jacob can respond, Mark enters the kitchen. He and Sam both stand straighter and after a moment Jacob asks, concern evident in his voice "Is everything alright, son?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to apologize to both of you for my behavior. I shouldn't have yelled at you so much, or at all really. I also really appreciate you both being here and helping the way you have," he pauses to collect himself a moment, "I just promised the kids that I would do better and I want to make the same promise to the both of you, I'll do better."

"Mark," Sam says with sympathy, as she and their father engulf him in a huge hug.

After the embrace, Jacob says, "We're here for you, son, whatever you need."

"Yeah, whatever you need," Sam repeats.