Chapter Four
Alex looked at Donovan, then at Jake, still not quite sure who the daddy was. Jake gave her a "hey, don't look at me" look and shrugged.
Donovan moved forward to meet the little girl and swept her into his arms for a hug and kiss. Her blonde curls danced playfully about her face. "Hello, princess."
Cody and Monica approached the group. Cody tugged one of Sammie's curls. "Don't you have something to tell your daddy?" His last word was said with such wonder; Monica couldn't stop the grin that tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Uh-huh," she said, smiling. She patted Donovan's cheek as she recited the message. "Nana says 'sorry'. Nana says 'love you'." She paused and placed both little hands on his brow as if to smooth away a frown. "And Nana says 'don't be mad'."
"I'm not mad, Sammie," he said, smiling. He chose to ignore the questioning looks that were being shot at him by his team. He would answer their questions soon enough. Instead, he kept his attention on his daughter. "Did Nana feed you before you left?" Sammie's head bobbed in answer as he turned and hurried up the stairs to enter the house.
"He has a daughter?" Alex asked, whispering.
Monica and Cody nodded. "Cody must have asked that a hundred times since we picked her up. Help us with the equipment and bags," Monica said, explaining as she headed back to the car. "His mother was waiting for us when we got there. His things were packed, just as he said; he just neglected to say one of the things we'd be picking up was a little girl."
While his crew unloaded the car, Minya went back to the house. "What was that all about," she asked, catching up to him. "Your people act as if they don't know about your little girl."
"They don't," he said. He stopped when he reached the den and sat down with Sammie on his lap.
"I don't understand why you would keep her a secret," Minya said, touching Sammie on the cheek. Sammie smiled brightly at her and Minya smiled back in return. "She's absolutely adorable. She must get that from her mother." He flinched visibly and she wished she could take back the spiteful words.
"It's not exactly that I was keeping her a secret," he said, placing a kiss on Sammie's forehead. "It was more like keeping a part of me separate from my work."
"I guess I don't understand," she admitted. If she had a child, she would celebrate it with the world.
"I do," Alex said from the doorway. "Our work is...tainted sometimes. It can be an ugly world we delve into. It's not something you want to bring into the world you share with your family."
Donovan nodded, thankful for her understanding. Sammie struggled to get down and he helped her to stand on her feet. She walked to Alex and held out her arms. Donovan smiled; she was so trusting and so full of love. He prayed nothing ever harmed her life or her spirit.
Alex picked her up and bounced her on her hip. "So, little one, how old are you?" Alex smiled at her teammates as they entered into the room.
Sammie held up her right hand and folded her thumb inward. "I'm four! Almost five," she said, proudly. "Pretty eyes," she said, patting Alex's cheek.
"Thank you," Alex replied and hugged her. "Frank, she's darling."
"She sure is," Sashka said, joining the group. "Will she be staying?"
Frank nodded. "At least until I can figure out what to do. My mother takes care of her, but had to leave town on an emergency. She has a friend who is ill and in need of care. My mother and her friend are as close as sisters. I don't know how long she'll be gone."
"We have plenty of room here," Sashka said.
"That's not really the issue. Will she be safe here? That's my worry." Although concern and doubt troubled him, he couldn't help be amused when Sammie reached for Jake and he took her into his arms.
"She's gonna be a heartbreaker, Frank," he said, tickling Sammie. She giggled with glee and squirmed in his embrace.
"So, tell us about her mother," Cody prodded and immediately regretted asking when he saw Donovan's expression changed from amusement to grief.
Donovan's eyes grew dark and he didn't reply. "He doesn't talk about mommy," his daughter spoke.
"Sammie, isn't it your bedtime?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Sashka, settle her in the room next to mine, please?" Minya asked.
"Her things are in the little pink suitcase," Cody informed Sashka.
"Sure. Come with me, Sammie." She took Sammie from Jake and left the room.
"Daddy, will you tuck me in tonight?" Sammie asked over Sashka's shoulder.
"I'll be up in a minute," he said. He rubbed his fingers over his lips. Time to spill his guts. "Her name was Theresa," he said, quietly. "I met her one night at the theatre. The play was Macbeth. And if you don't mind I'll give you the short version."
The group settled on the couch and chairs quietly. No one spoke; it was obvious how painful it was for him to talk about his wife.
"I was negotiating the release of hostages in a bank heist. It happened less than two years ago. Anyway, it went bad...very bad. The leader was a loose cannon; he just couldn't be dealt with. He took a hostage to the doorway and shot her...right in front of me...us. She never stood a chance." He paused and looked up at his team. "The woman was my wife and she was killed because I couldn't get the bastard to calm down long enough for SWAT to find a way into the bank."
Minya blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. Looking at the others, they were doing the same.
"Frank, you can't blame yourself," Alex said, trying to ease his conscience and offer some form of comfort.
"She's right," Monica agreed. "You know better than anyone you can't predict every situation."
"I didn't even realize she was there until the bastard held the gun to her head," he said, shaking his head. "I have Sammie to think of, and now I'm putting her in danger."
Minya placed a hand on his shoulder. "I won't let that happened. I'll have you removed from the case."
Donovan looked up into the most intense green eyes he'd ever seen before. They were glassy with unshed tears. "Why would you do that?"
"One look at that little girl, that's why."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say, you must be pretty damn special for a child to hold so much love so visibly." Minya watched his face soften slightly.
"No, I'm not." He stood and addressed his team. "You've always wondered what happened to me before I came among you, and now you know. After Theresa's death I disappeared for a while. When I felt the time was right, they gave me my choice of assignments."
"Thank you for sharing that with us," Monica said. "I know how hard it must be for you."
"Thank you. Now, if you don't mind...Sammie needs to be tucked in." He turned to leave but was stopped by Minya.
"I'll call Misty tonight and have you taken off the case," she said. Misty was her best friend in the world and also happened to be the President's twenty-seven year old daughter.
He left the room without answering.
************
Soft cries and sobs woke her from a light sleep. She sat up and listened...it was Donovan's daughter, Sammie. Minya threw back the covers and got up, picking up her guitar out of habit. It was almost a nightly ritual—waking up in the middle of the night. She would strum her guitar and jot the music down once the melody was worked out. Then she would be free to go back to sleep.
She quietly made her way to the bedroom next to hers. Sammie lay in the king-size bed; she looked so small in the big bed, like a little doll. Minya sat on the bed next to her and smoothed the hair from her face. "Shhh, baby. It's okay." Sammie quieted but her eyes were still large with fright. "You woke to an unfamiliar place, didn't you Sammie? You don't know where you are."
Sammie nodded. "Daddy said Nana went away. Does that mean she won't come back? Like mommy?"
"Oh, no, baby. She has a friend that needs her, but she'll be back soon. You'll see." Minya smiled warmly. "Would you like me to sing you a song? Maybe that will make you feel better."
Sammie nodded.
"Let's see...how about a new lullaby...this was written by a couple friends of mine not too long ago. Rest now, honey, and close your eyes." She placed the guitar across her lap and plucked the strings gently.
Hush my love, now don't you cryEverything will be all right
Close your eyes and drift in dream
Rest in peaceful sleep
If there's one thing I hope I showed you
If there's one thing I hope I showed you
Hope I showed you
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Donovan watched from the doorway, leaning against the frame. He had been in the security room with Cody when Sammie's cries began. He had run up the stairs quietly and saw a sleepy Minya entering the room, guitar in hand. For such a spoiled diva, she had a good heart.
He shook himself mentally realizing he had judged her unfairly. He had taken a dislike to her because of his past and how her beautiful song had proclaimed his grief to the world. It wasn't her fault that her voice in song never failed to bring back that fateful day. Until now.
Oh my love...in my arms tight
Every day you give me life
As I drift off to your world
Rest in peaceful sleep
I know there's one thing that you showed me
I know there's one thing that you showed me
That you showed me
Donovan entered the room and placed a hand on her shoulder. Minya looked up without stopping the music. He smiled warmly at her and gazed at his sleepy daughter. Her eyes fluttered closed as she finally drifted back to sleep.
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Let's give love to all
Let's give love to all
Just give love to all
Let's give love to all
Just give love to all
Let's give love to all
Minya got up gently without disturbing Sammie and left the room with Donovan. He softly closed the door behind them. "Thank you, that was beautiful."
She smiled. "She was just frightened. She woke to an unfamiliar place."
He nodded. "I should have thought about that."
His gaze roamed down the length of her body, making her realize she was in a skimpy nightgown and had forgotten a robe. "Ah.." she said, hugging the guitar to her in an attempt to cover what he had already seen. "Goodnight." She backed away and watched an amused smile form on his full lips. "Oh, I did call Misty. She said she would get her father to take you off the case first thing in the morning."
"Call her back; we aren't going anywhere."
Her modesty forgotten, she dropped the guitar and moved closer to him, grasping his arms. "No. I'll not have that little girl put in harms way because of me."
"If I had someone I could trust to take care of her, I would. Because of the life I lead, my mother is the only person I let close to her. Until now. I won't send her among strangers, so she'll stay with me," he explained.
"Then take her and go," she pleaded. "The threat against me may or may not be real, and even if it is, my safety is not worth putting hers at risk."
He touched her cheek gently. "Perhaps not, but I owe you."
Minya frowned, but leaned to his touch. "Because I sang to her? That's silly."
"No, because you're a good person and I misjudged you." His thumb grazed her lips seductively.
"Then send me a card or flowers," she whispered.
"Maybe I'll do that, too." He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head as he lowered his slowly until their lips met in a gentle kiss.
Minya touched her lips with her fingers when he pulled away. What was happening...they hated each other! And yet, her body said differently as every inch of her being tingled with excitement at his nearness.
"Call your friend, tell her you changed your mind," he instructed gently and then left her standing in the hall alone.
************
Cody, Jake and Alex sat watching the monitor. The two men sat back with a semi-disgusted look while Alex grinned sheepishly. "I guess he forgot about the video feed you set up," she said, laughing.
"I don't get it," Jake said. "He sure acted like he couldn't stand her...and she didn't care for him much either."
"Yeah," Cody agreed.
"Jealous much?" Alex asked, still laughing.
To be continued...
The lullaby contained in this chapter is titled "Lullaby" by Creed on the album "Weathered". Written by Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti © Dwight Frye Music Inc (BMI)