Chapter 4- Little Surprises can Mean Big Changes
(Sam and Diane come quietly down the stairs back to the bar. Carla is in the corner trying to persuade Shawn not to marry "the evil one" and Fraiser and Niles sit at a table near them talking to Samantha.)
Diane: Samantha, can you come here please sweetheart?
Samantha: Yes mommy ( she gets up and Diane takes her daughter's hand). We're just going to go in here for a minute ( she points to Sam's office and Samantha nods her head. They walk over and enter the office).
Diane: Honey come here and sit down. I want you to meet someone very special ( Diane leads Samantha to the couch and she sits down. Sam waits nervously as he closes the door to the office). Samantha, sweetheart, this is your daddy.
Samantha: (she looks up at Sam with a strange look on her face. She stands up and walks over to him) Daddy?
Sam: (he gets on to his knees so that he can see her better. She looks so much like him. Her light brown shoulder length hair that's slightly wavy, dark brown eyes. A mini him except she has her mother's nose and etiquette.) Umm, yeah. I'm your dad.(Diane sits down on Sam's desk.)
Samantha: (she puts her arms around Sam's neck and hugs him. Sam doesn't quite know what to do. He looks up at Diane who nods slowly. Sam hesitates for another moment but then hugs her back. Diane quietly begins to cry.) Daddy, why didn't you come to find me? (she lets go of him and looks into his eyes. Sam looks hurt and not wanting to tell the truth to the question she had just asked, answers her.)
Sam: Well Samantha I wanted to (he looks at Diane quickly who is still crying) but I couldn't not for a long time. But I love you and I'm here now.
Samantha: Okay. I love you too Daddy.
(they hug again and Sam looks relieved and happier than he ever has before. He takes his little girl by the hand and walks out into the bar.)
Sam: Everyone, I would like you all to meet Samantha Eileen Malone, my daughter ( Carla turns around to stare at Sam, Norm chokes on his beer, Cliff stops talking and Woody takes no notice of what Sam just said).
Carla: (from the floor) The King is Dead! The King is Dead! ( she is gasping for air)
Norm: What do you mean daughter Sammy?
Sam: (turns to look at Norm) Oh come on Norm, daughter (he picks up Samantha and kisses her cheek). It turns out that I have a kid with Diane ( a loud gasp/squeal can be heard from where Carla is laying. Cliff comes over to take a look.).
Cliff: Ah, she looks like you Sammy. You know it's a little known fact that offspring usually inherit-
Sam: Yeah, yeah okay Cliff. Hey Woody didn't you hear me ( Sam is still holding his daughter)?
Woody: Yeah I heard you Sam. Daughter, congratulations.
Sam: Well thank you Woody ( he can tell that Woody is busy with something). Samantha will you go over there with Fraiser for a minute I want to talk to Di- mommy.
Samantha: Oh you mean Dr. Crane?
Sam: Uh yeah whatever ( Samantha walks over to the table where Fraiser is sitting, Sam goes back into his office where Diane is waiting).
Sam: (to Diane, who is still crying) Thank you so much. You know I really wanted to stay mad at you but I just can't. I never thought that I could love someone so much. Hey, hey what's wrong (he just notices that she's crying)?
Diane: Oh Sam, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I kept this from you for so long ( he takes her in his arms to comfort her).
Sam: Oh honey it's all right everything is all right now. How did you do this alone for nine years?
Diane: ( still in Sam's embrace) Well it wasn't easy but for the last month or so I've had help from Shawn.
Sam: (he lets go of her) Shawn?
Diane: Oh, hmm, yes you remember I told you about my fiancé.
Sam: Oh yeah, I want to meet this guy. Is he here ( he stands up)?
Diane: Umm, yes but I don't think that's such a good idea (she also stands up wiping tears from her eyes and trying to compose herself).
Sam: Well (he laughs a little) I do.
(Sam walks out of the office determined to meet Diane's new "man". Diane looks worried but hurries after him, afraid of what might happen next.)