Sam stood in the shower for a longer time that usual. She let the warm water run down over her face as she replayed all the events of the day. Sam was exhausted and felt herself nodding off even as she stood there. Sam couldn't believe how much that kitchen spoon had hurt her backside. She still felt a sting there as she finally turned off the water and stepped out to wrap herself in a big fluffy bath towel. Sam sat down on the closed toilet seat as she allowed herself to cuddle into the towel and breathe deeply for a moment. She smiled to herself. One thing that Sam knew without a doubt was the fact that Brooke Davis truly cared for her. Brooke had been the ONLY person in her entire life to ever punish her. Sam used to think she was lucky, but now she realized that having someone to love her, worry about her, and care for her…even if she would be punished when needed…was the most wonderful thing to have ever happened to her.
Brooke walked back into her house and made her way to the kitchen. She heard the water still running in Sam's bathroom, so she decided to pop a few chocolate chip cookies into the oven. Those were Sam's favorite. Brooke smiled a small smile to herself. Having Sam with her was definitely not easy, but her life had been changed for the better by that spunky, mischievous, INCREDIBLE girl. Not only that, but her relationship with Julian had grown since she had Sam in her life. Julian truly loved Sam and Brooke loved watching them interact. She knew that, without a doubt, Julian would be a terrific father someday…and Brooke hoped that someday would include her and Sam.
Brooke popped a mug onto the Keurig and made Sam a cup of nighttime tea. She put two small cookies on a plate and walked into Sam's room. Brooke set the tea and cookies down on the nightstand beside Sam's bed. Sam was not yet out of the bathroom, so Brooke went back to clean the kitchen and wait until Sam was ready for bed. Brooke always went in to say goodnight to Sam. It had been something she had done every night since Sam had come to stay with her. She made sure to spend a few minutes of uninterrupted time each night talking with her and always left her with a hug and an, "I am SO glad you are here," every single night…no matter what the day had held. Brooke also always left the room with Sam's phone in hand to deposit it in it's charging location in the kitchen. It was a nighttime routine that had come to mean so much to both Brooke and Sam.
Sam emerged from the bathroom a little while later in her favorite pajamas. She smiled when she saw the cookies and tea next to her bed. Sam walked out of her bedroom and straight to Brooke, whom she immediately wrapped in a hug. "Thank you," she mumbled as she buried her head into Brooke. Brooke tightly hugged Sam before kissing her head and holding her for a bit. "Sweetheart, it's late. Why don't you go ahead and get into bed? I'll be there in a few minutes to say goodnight." "Okay," came Sam's soft reply. Brooke smiled gently as she watched Sam pad off to her room.
Back in her room, Sam crawled into bed and grabbed her phone to text Jack. "Hi…I'm still alive," she sent. Jack sent back, "Whew…I was sure you were a gonner." "LOL! I almost was. Brooke Davis in NOT to be messed with." Sam chucked softly at the gif sent back by Jack.
"Hey, what's so funny," inquired Brooke as she sat down on the side of Sam's bed and tussled her hair. Sam looked up and smiled, "just Jack," she replied. "Well, tell him goodnight, please. It's already well past bedtime," Brooke stated firmly, yet kindly. "Okay," Sam said as she thumped out a quick, "Goodnight, see you tomorrow," to Jack. Sam then handed her phone over to Brooke who sat it down on her lap with a simple, "thank you."
Brooke looked kindly into Sam's eyes. "Sam, I know that today has not been an easy day for you. I want you to know that I LOVE you very much. I truly hope that spanking is something that will not need to happen again. But know that it remains an option if necessary," Brooke said as she looked firmly at Sam. "Tomorrow is Friday, and since you are still grounded, we will use tomorrow evening to clear up the rules for this house. I think it's important that we get on the same page about what is expected at all times." Sam looked down and small tears formed in her eyes. Noticing this, Brooke nudged Sam over a bit and slid fully onto the bed next to her. She wrapped an arm around her as Sam laid her head on Brooke's chest. Brooke began to comb through Sam's hair with her fingers and wipe the tears as they rolled down Sam's cheeks. "Sam, I want to remind you that I only have rules and expectations for you because I CARE about you. I want AMAZING things for you. I don't expect you to always like that or understand it. One day you will, but until then, I promise to do whatever hard things are necessary to give you the most incredible life possible…both now and in the future. You are so, SO loved, Sam."
Sam continued to cry softly mostly due to the fact that she was exhausted and overwhelmed. "Go ahead and lay down sweetheart," Brooke said as she pulled Sam's pillow down and the covers up to her chin. Brooke continued to comb through Sam's hair with her fingers until Sam's breathing deepened and she began to let out tiny snores. Brooke stood up, picked up Sam's phone, and switched off the lamp on her nightstand. She closed the door quietly behind her as she left the room.
After getting ready for bed herself, Brooke called Julian. "Hey baby," he answered. "Hey babe…have I mentioned that I love you?" came Brooke's response. "I am so tired, Julian, but I just wanted to hear your voice one more time tonight." "How'd the rest of the night go with Sam?" inquired Julian. "She's had a hard day, but she's sleeping now and I know she will feel better in the morning." "You will too, baby. Get some sleep okay? I love you," cooed Julian. "Okay…I love you, Julian Baker. Goodnight." Brooke hung up the phone and plugged it in next to her bed. Brooke fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.