It was one of those days Californians never talked about. Cloudy, rainy and very cool.

Sam could have sworn he was still on the East Coast and that the last six hours on the plane took him nowhere.

Sam waited by the window, watching everyone else stream off the plane. He looked at the entering people for a sign of his mother. Finally he spotted her and waved to get her attention. Even though she knew he was in a wheelchair it was still natural for her to look up over the heads.

She maneuvered through the other passengers and pulled Sam into a big hug. She kissed his cheek.

"Thank you." She whispered, close to tears.

"Mom." Sam didn't know what to say, he knew his mom really wanted to see him and it had been over a year since the last time they met face to face. The accident made it even worse that she couldn't be there to take care of him or at least see for herself that he was actually okay.

She cupped his face in her hands and shook her head. "Never do that to me again." She kissed him again. Then moving away she started walking to the luggage coral. Sam smiled, she knew when and when not to coddle him, anyone else would have automatically started pushing him. He liked that she didn't.

"So how are things?" He asked rolling along next to her.

"Fine as can be expected. Joanna moved to Texas. Why she would want that dry heat is beyond me! Dr. Moore finally retired; we threw him a big party on Saturday." Sam smiled as he listened to her mindless chatter. This is exactly what he needed.

~~~~~~~~

Washington D.C.

Josh flipped through his mail that Donna handed him absently, something was nagging him but he couldn't place it. He was about to call in Donna to have her figure it out when he saw an envelope under his calendar.

Curiously he picked it up and examined it closely. It was a plain envelope with 'Josh' written on it. He instantly recognized the flowing script. It was Sam's. He turned the envelope over and carefully ripped it open.

Josh,

Gone to stay at my mom's for a while. I wrote a note to Toby and Leo telling them. I still plan on returning to work around the 15th. I will be in contact with Toby in case he needs to revise the speech again.

I just needed to get away before things return to normal. I just want to clear my head and make sure I am doing the right thing.

Keep an eye on Mallory for me. I'll be in contact.

Sam

Josh stared open mouthed at the letter before bellowing "Donna!"

~~~~~

Leo's Office

Leo looked at the two letters in his hands. He was in awe that Sam had left and more surprised that he had written him two letters. One was delivered to his apartment that morning and the other was here at the office waiting for him. He understood why and appreciated that Sam had thought to do it.

One letter was addressed to Leo-the boss; the other was to Leo-my girlfriend's father. The first was all about working and not skipping out and being in contact. The other letter told Leo that he needed to get away. He provided an emergency number, which the first letter didn't; it ended with Sam apologizing to Leo and to look after Mallory for him.

Leo sighed and knew Mallory would be upset but he also knew that Sam needed this break. He picked up the letters and trudged to the Oval Office, he didn't want to tell the President Sam was gone but he knew it would be better coming from him then the office grapevine.

~~~~~~~~~~

California

Sam shivered in his sweatshirt, wishing he had worn something heavier. Carol, his mom patted his leg and turned up the heat.

"I thought this weather would be a heat wave for you. It's what 15 degrees in D.C?" She questioned.

Sam laughed, "More like 10, but yeah, you would think I would be used to the cool weather, but I haven't adjusted yet and I don't think I will. I think I spent to many years here. I miss it."

"And we miss you." Carol said softly. "Who drove you to the airport?"

"Um.Ellen. She was dropping her brother Brent off too, so I just asked for a ride, since it was my car they were pretty receptive to the idea." Ellen was dropping Brent off for his flight to Detroit to start school at Michigan at the beginning of the semester. Sam had booked his flight right after New Years and had gotten a flight the same time. He told Ellen the apartment was hers while he was gone but no parties. She laughed she was also starting her first semester of college so she knew she would be busy.

"I'll have to meet this Ellen, it sounds like you have adopted her."

"She's easy to adopt. She moved right in and took over. For the first time my apartment actually looks like someone lives there." Carol harrumphed but let him continue. "And with Mallory and Ellen there all the time, the stove and dishwasher is getting used too." Sam smiled at the memory.

"I'll have to Mallory too, sounds serious Samuel."

"You'll love Mallory and Ellen. That's one of the reasons I wanted to come I have some things I want to talk to you about. How are you doing-health wise?" Sam asked changing the subject before Carol could press him for more information on Mallory.

"Since the New Year I have felt great. If you hadn't flown out here I would have been flying there. And if you want to talk about Mallory, then I have some thing I need to talk to you about too."

"Not the birds and the bees speech is it? I think I know how it goes now. I had to explain it to Josh a few times." Sam joked.

Carol laughed and they settled into easy conversation the rest of the way home.

Pulling into the driveway, Sam gave his mother a look of surprise at the other car in the drive.

"You didn't buy me a car, did you?"

"No, you should be buying me one." Carol smiled and glanced at the front door. Sam followed her gaze and watched as the door opened. He felt his mother get out of the car. A man stepped out the door, he was an older man, Sam guessed around his mother's age.

His mother came around and opened his door with his wheelchair at hand. She smiled and Sam knew what that smile meant. 'Get out of the car and be nice.'

Sam smiled back and maneuvered into his chair.

The man came up to them and placed his arm around Carol.

"You must be Sam. It's good to finally meet you. Carol has told me so much about you."

"Well I can't say the same, but it's nice to meet you." Sam said waiting for a name.

"Sam, this is Art Taylor. My friend from the club." Carol trailed off trying to decide what all to tell Sam.

Art took over and held out her hand. On her left finger sparkled a small diamond ring.

Sam gasped and took her hand examining the ring.

"Congratulations, I guess. This is a shock. When did this happen? When is that big day?"

"Thank you, New Years and we were thinking sometime while you were here. I want you to be here for it, Sam."

Nodded in shock, his mother was getting married and within the next two weeks.

~~~~~~~~~~

"What the hell is this?" Toby stormed into Josh's office.

"Yeah, I got a letter too. He's gone." Josh said still looking at his letter.

"No, not that! I mean this." Toby emphasized the folder under his arm.

Josh cocked an eyebrow and smiled. "I don't know, do I have to guess?"

Toby scowled and tossed the folder onto Josh's desk.

Josh's eyes widened as he shuffled through the papers inside. Each one was in Sam's hand. His handwriting flowed onto each page covering every inch of space.

"No punctuation as usual." Toby growled.

"Is this what I think it is?" Josh questioned.

Toby sighed and flopped into one of Josh's visitor's chairs.

"He wrote the entire State of the Union!? And in pen? I thought you guys were almost done. The speech is in 10 days! When did he do this?"

Toby held up his hands to stop the questions but Josh added one more comment.

"I'm gonna kill him!"

Toby nodded. "He knew the last draft was going to be scrapped and when he asked for the last few drafts and the notes I didn't know he was planning THIS." Toby said getting louder with each word. "It needs a little work, but it's the best thing I've ever read."

Josh exhaled slowly then smiled.

"So what are you going to do for the next ten days?"

Toby stood and glared at Josh then left taking the folder with him, with Josh laughing behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, Sam found out he was meeting his soon to be half sisters. Art had three daughters with his first wife.

Ashleigh, a lawyer, was first to arrive. She was still dressed in her work clothes. A sharp business suit with her briefcase never leaving her side.

Katie was next. She was dressed comfortably in jeans and a T-shirt. She flopped tiredly in the chair next to Sam, she was extremely happy to be away from her house for a night. As she explained to Sam she loved her family, her own two girls, but after coming home from work she was usually exhausted. She was a second grade teacher. She reminded Sam of Mallory immensely.

Promptly at 6 p.m. a black jeep pulled up and Hallie, the youngest, emerged. She was still dressed in full uniform. With her cap on and her hair pulled tightly pulled into a bun without a hair out of place. She approached Sam and tucked her hat under her arm.

Before she could introduce herself, Sam started first.

"Lieutenant Commander, I'm Sam." Sam said as he shook her hand.

Hallie was startled as she shook hands. She glanced at her sisters and saw they were surprised too. Art had told them they would meet Carol's son today and that he worked in the White House but they weren't sure what he did.

"You know, I joined the Marine's 7 years ago and become a Lieutenant Commander 3 years ago and my sisters still call me private. Is there something you're not telling us?" She asked sternly.

Sam searched for something to say.

Hallie and the other two laughed at his expense.

Hallie reached up and took out her bun letting her shoulder length hair fall back.

"Welcome to the family, Sam." Ashleigh said still laughing.

Sam gaped at them, especially Hallie, she was much looser then the officers he had met at the House.

Hallie made her way to an empty seat between her sisters and the three of them began talking seamlessly.

Ashleigh and Kate both had short black hair while Hallie was the complete opposite with her blonde hair. They all had blue eyes. Sam could have sworn him, Ashleigh and Katie were related, and Hallie was the odd one of the bunch.

Art and Carol came out and greeted the girls then shooed them all into the house for dinner.

It was a great dinner. Sam thoroughly enjoyed himself. At one point, Ashleigh and him started talking about a court case. When Sam pulled himself away from the conversation to glance at the others, he found them all staring at him and Ashleigh as if they were talking in Japanese. All the court terms went over their heads. They all laughed and resumed a normal conversation.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam woke early the next morning. He sighed and wished once he could sleep in past seven. He lay in bed staring at the white ceiling. He was pleased to find that Art had moved his old bed down to the guestroom for him. He loved his childhood bed. He always thought of having it shipped east but never had the time and it was only a single bed and he had grown to like his double bed and so had Mallory.

His old room was on the second floor along with his mothers but for now he slept in the guestroom on the main floor.

Sam reached over to grab his phone and call Mal but thought otherwise. She would be at work now and he was sure she would still be mad at the message he left about his departure. He winced thinking about the message he left and knowing it wasn't one of the smartest things to do, but he didn't know how to tell her otherwise.

He needed time to think away from everyone and his life in DC. He hoped coming home would help. He was now glad he had chose to come.

Sam rose slowly knowing he had time before Hallie was going to pick him up and take him out to breakfast. He rolled out to the kitchen and made himself a pot of coffee.

He had just settled in with the paper and his cup when Art came down the stairs. Sam was a little surprised, he had gone to bed early and thought Art left after. Now that he thought about it he did remember seeing the car in the drive but it didn't click then that meant Art had stayed.

Sam smiled and motioned to the coffee maker. Art took a whiff and sighed happily.

"My blood." He commented

Sam taking a sip of his own brew smiled and nodded.

"You're up early. Couldn't sleep?" Art asked.

"I've been off work for months but I still can't sleep past seven. Work alcoholics curse, I guess." Sam explained.

"Same here, morning is my favorite time of the day. I usually take a walk then start breakfast for Carol. Years of getting only a few hours of sleep each night and then having to get up and feed forty other half awake firefighters."

"Mom still doesn't get before until 9?" Sam questioned laughing.

"Nope, 9 a.m. every morning, then goes to work until 4, like clockwork."

Sam frowned. "She okay?"

Art thought for a few moments "She has her bad days, but more good. It nearly killed her that she couldn't be with you these last couple of months. When you called Monday to tell her you were coming I've never seen her happier."

Sam smiled out the window. "Mind if I join you for that walk?"

"It would be my pleasure."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam stopped when they reached the beach and Art continued down to visit friends at the local firehouse down the coast a bit farther. He stayed out gazing at the waves until Hallie came.

"I went by the house but no one was home, so I figured you went out with dad. He goes the same way everyday day!" Hallie explained. "Hungry?"

Sam nodded and they both got into her jeep for breakfast.

Sam enjoyed breakfast as he had enjoyed the walk with Art, he was glad his mom found someone new and someone he approved of.

After breakfast Hallie dropped him back at the house, which now stood empty. His mother and Art were both working at a store nearby. Sam sat on the porch for a while doing what he planned to do in California-relax.

Finally he pulled out his cell, he knew he should call in. Just to check in.

Dialing Josh's office he waited for Donna to pick up. He could get all the information he needed from her without speaking to Josh or Toby, he wasn't ready to face those two yet.

He listened to the ringing and waited nervously.

"Josh Lyman." Came Josh's voice.

Sam froze it wasn't Donna that had answered the phone.

"Hello." Josh asked again.

'Stupid' Sam muttered to himself.

"Hey Josh."

There was quiet on the phone again.

"Sam?"

"Hey" Sam repeated. He could hear Josh stop shuffling his papers around.

"How the weather?" Josh asked lamely.

"Is Toby mad?" Sam asked ignoring Josh's question.

"It's snowing here pretty cold, as usual."

"That bad, huh?"

"No, he's not mad! But that's not saying much for everyone else. How did you write that entire speech? When did you write it? Why? Why did you leave? Is something wrong? Your mom okay? Are you and Mallory fighting? When are you coming home?" Josh stopped breathless.

"Whoa" was all Sam could say.

"Yeah"

"Look I just had to get away for awhile. Mallory and I are fine. Mom's fine, she's getting married! I don't know when I am coming back. Is Toby going to use some of what I wrote? And I had tons of time to write it!" Sam practically yelled trying to answer every question Josh had asked.

"Toby said it was one of the best things he's ever read. Leo and I agreed. Even the President loved it, he said not to change a thing."

"Really?" Squeaked Sam.

"Sam.you did good." Josh couldn't believe how dense Sam was being; the speech was brilliant.

"Thanks."

"Now Toby has nothing to do." Josh said menacingly

"Oops sorry" Was all Sam could say.

Josh smirked. "You should be. He's driving us crazy."

"I am, I am extremely sorry."

"Yeah you sound like it." Josh could hear Sam stifling his laughter.

There was a long pause between them.

"Have you talked to Mal yet?" Josh asked quietly.

More silence followed. "No" Sam sighed. "I'm going to talk to my mom about getting my grandmother's ring."

"Really? That's great Sam!"

"Yeah, but you can't tell anyone. You're the first one I've told."

"No problem man." Josh said practically glowing.

"Not even Donna." Sam reprimanded.

"Nobody." Josh cemented.

"Thanks Josh."

"Good luck. Call me later this week and give your mom a kiss for me."

"Sure, sure talk to you later.

"Bye."

Josh hung up the phone gleefully and pushed away from his desk.

"Donna!" He bellowed.

"You know Josh, I am right outside. You don't have to yell and.what are you so happy about?

"What?.Nothing." He replied quickly. "Can you get me the.never mind I'll get it." With that Josh swept out leaving Donna in his office knowing something was up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next few days passed the same for Sam. He would get up early in the morning and go for a walk with Art and a few times went all the way to the firehouse to meet his friends. Once they even gave him and Art a ride back to the house in the fire truck. Carol made them stay on to get pictures.

Everyday at nine Carol and Art would leave. Sam would call into the office to check in, then go out driving and usually meet up with Ashleigh, Katie or Hallie. He even sat in on a court case of Ashleigh's and talked to Katie's class about working for the president. He went on base and got a tour from Hallie. He grew to enjoy his new sister's company. Art and Carol planned the wedding for the coming Sunday. The girls and Sam got together to plan a reception afterwards. Sam was the one with all the free time so he got the task of calling everyone to invite, since it was too late to send out invites.

Friday morning Carol kissed Sam on the cheek as their morning ritual before she left for work.

"Now remember I get out early today and Art wants to take us out tonight. Be ready when I get back and stay out of trouble." She chided.

"Mo-om." Sam stressed but laughed. "I'll see you tonight."

Carol nodded and left.

Sam rolled into the kitchen and began to clean up. It had taken him the past week to get his mother and Art to leave their dirty dishes behind for him to clean, but he convinced them it gave him something to do.

He just finished when the doorbell rang. Rolling back to the foyer he pulled open the door.

"Let's go to the beach." Josh said as soon as Sam came into view.

Sam's jaw dropped at the sight of Josh, Toby, and Mallory on standing at his doorstep.

"What are you guys doing here? Shouldn't you be at the House?" Sam was still astounded at the sight of them.

"Good to see you Sam." Toby commented.

Sam backed up and motioned for them to enter.

"Since someone already wrote the State of the Union that cleared my schedule and Josh gave everything he had to Donna. The president said barring any unexpected complications we have the weekend off." Toby explained.

"What about CJ?" Sam asked.

"She wasn't so lucky and was not happy to be left behind. She said she would call later today and the president said he would be calling you tonight." Josh answered.

Sam nodded and looked at Mallory who had not said a word.

Josh and Toby exchanged a look.

"I'm hungry, that plane food did not do it for me." Josh said making his way to the kitchen, he had been to Sam's a few times and knew where everything was. Toby nodded and followed behind him.

Sam and Mallory barely took notice of their leave.

"I.I'm," Sam couldn't think of anything to say.

Mallory's face-hardened and turned away.

Sam rolled closer to her.

"Mal, I'm sorry. I had to get away. Not from you but form D.C I had to realize that my life is starting over. Things are different. I could be like this forever. I needed to face that and I couldn't do it in Washington."

"You couldn't do it with me either? You left and didn't tell anyone! You left me a message on answering machine! Why didn't you tell me this? I would've understood." Mallory lashed back.

"Would you? Do you understand that I may never walk again? Can you handle that? I needed this time and so did you! We both needed to think of the consequences before going any farther." Sam fired back. He hadn't told anyone about what he had been thinking the past few weeks. Ellen had noticed that he was getting more depressed and withdrawn but didn't know how to fix it. The others were not around enough to notice the subtle changes. Now Toby, Josh and Mallory knew what was bugging Sam and why he had left them to come here.

In the kitchen Toby and Josh tried to keep busy as to not hear but it wasn't working well. They were both shocked by Sam's revelation. Maybe he wasn't taking this as well as everyone thought.

"How could you think that? Do you think I would love you less if you never walked again. Our whole relationship has been you in that chair, what would change my feelings now? How shallow do you think I am!" Mallory was almost screaming; she turned on her heel and stomped out onto the porch.

Sam turned to his bedroom and pulled out an ancient ring box. He opened it and gaze down at the ring before snapping it shut and knowing what he had to do.

When he asked his mother for his grandmother's ring she asked one question, 'you sure, Sammy?' He answered yes immediately and she pulled it out of her dress pocket already having the idea what he was going to ask her.

Sam rolled back into the living room to see Mallory through the window on the porch.

Toby and Josh peeked out of the kitchen. Josh spotted the ring box in Sam's lap, he smiled.

"Good luck and hopefully congratulations."

Toby followed Josh's gaze his eyes widened in surprise and nodded at Josh's words.

Sam flashed them a smile before taking a deep breath and rolling out onto the porch.

Mallory was sitting on the porch swing, gazing at the small view of the ocean they had.

It was the perfect day, the sun was high, and the weather was perfectly warm.

Mal swung back and forth slightly the sun catching in her hair making the red stand out even more.

Sam could see Josh and Toby out of the corner of his eye watching him.

He glanced back at Mallory and knew right then that they would have beautiful children, but not today.

He pocketed the ring and rolled to her side.

"I love you," he said taking her hand.

"I love you too Sam, you know that." She said without a moment's hesitation.

"I know I just need to be reminded."

"Well if you ever forget again, just ask. It's much easier then flying across the country."

Sam laughed and moved onto the swing next to her.

They sat on the swing in each other's arms for a long time talking about anything and everything.

He heard the phone ring inside and waited for Josh to answer it. Josh did and came out a few minutes later holding the phone out to Sam.

"CJ" he informed Sam. He took note of no ring on Mallory's hand and let it slide.

Toby came out a few moments later and joined the rest of them in the sunshine already rubbing lotion on his head.

"Should I say congratulations?" CJ asked after Sam said hello.

"No."

"Oh"

"No, its okay." Sam reassured her.

"Is it?"

"Yeah"

"Can you not talk about it?"

"Yeah"

"Okay," and with that she moved on.

~~~~~~~~~~~

CJ exited her office after getting off the phone with Sam.

"Guys, it's a no! He didn't ask yet."

Bonnie audibly groaned while Donna, Carol and Ginger all cheered.

~~~~~~~~~~

After CJ's call they all got ready to go the beach as Josh requested. It had warmed up considerably since they had arrived.

Just as they were ready to head down to the ocean Carol and Art pulled up.

"Mom you're home really early."

"Yes, I knew everyone was coming and I couldn't wait."

"How did you know?" Sam asked looking at Mallory, Mal shrugged.

"Don't look at me, Josh just handed me a ticket and said we were going to Cali, I didn't ask how or why!" She exclaimed laughing.

"Josh called or rather a nice girl, Donna did, asking if I could take three more boarders. Hello Josh good to see you." Carol said hugging him.

"And Toby always a pleasure."

Toby nodded. "Same here, ma'am."

"And.?" Carol asked turning to Mallory.

"Mom, I would like you to meet Mallory O'Brian." Sam introduced.

"Mallory, it's a pleasure. I've heard so much about you." Carol gushed.

"Same here, Mrs. ." Mal wasn't sure if Carol was still carrying the Seaborn name or not.

"Oh, call me Carol. Besides my name will be changing soon anyways. Everyone this is Art Taylor." She smiled gripping Art's hand.

"Yes, Sam told us the happy news, congratulations." Josh said stepping up to hug Carol again.

"Thank you Josh. You all came at the perfect time, the wedding is on Sunday."

"Oh, we couldn't impose, ma'am." Toby stuttered.

"Oh Toby, you guys impose! Impossible! You're all family. You're coming, now who's ready to go to the beach?"

Just as they were all about to leave again Ashleigh and Hallie pulled up and Katie was right behind them with her family. Another round of introductions was made.

Everyone slowly started to the beach. Carol and Art brought up the rear watching everyone in front of them interact. Mallory and Katie led the way with Katie's kids running around them. Josh and Katie's husband-Tyler were behind them. Sam and Ashleigh were already deep in conversation about her newest case and Hallie and Toby were directly behind them talking about a new policy the president was initiating. Carol couldn't follow their conversation so she tightened her grip around Art's arm and leaned into him as the walked the rest of the way.

When they reached the sand, Josh and Tyler had already worked out a way to get Sam to the blanket since his chair wouldn't roll over sand. They made a seat with a floatation device and their hands. Mallory and Hallie helped hoist Sam onto the contraption. Carol already had the blanket laid out when they got there. Toby was behind carrying Sam's chair.

"So what are we going to do about that?" Tyler asked indicating Sam and the ocean.

Sam and Carol exchanged a secretive glance as they let the others talk it out.

"Not a problem." Josh cried triumphantly. "Sam the president and Leo got this for you. They said hold on and don't fall off." Josh produced a flat inner tube; it was hot pink.

Sam choked on his laughter as the others cried 'Perfect!' Toby sat down to blow it up as the others started shedding their clothes.

Carol gasped in shock at her first look at Sam's legs. They were not the muscular ones she remembered. She forcibly smiled when Sam patted her on the leg and gave her a reassuring smile that everything was okay. He knew exactly what he was thinking.

Sam left his tank top on to cover his back. His scars were not completely healed and were not nice to look at but the doctor had given him the okay to swim and that's what Sam intended to do.

Josh stood next to Sam ready to pull his shirt off but stopped. He placed a hand over his own scar and gazed out at the ocean. Sam watched him while everyone else was cheering for Toby to finish blowing up the tube.

Sam patted Josh's leg; Josh looked down and smiled sadly.

"Let's go swimming, Josh." He said simply.

Josh rubbed his scar again then dropped his hand and gave Sam a dimpled smile and nodded.

Toby finally got the pink tube full and they dragged it out to the water with Sam and Katie's youngest in it. They pushed Sam out to chest deep water. It was over Mallory and Katie's head but they stayed out with the rest of the group bobbing with the waves.

When a particularly large wave came barreling over them, Sam slipped off and went under. Mallory came up first from the wave and saw the tube floating away with no one on it. She quickly swam to it and searched the water around it.

"SAM!" She yelled getting everyone's attention. The nine other adults quickly made their way over to Mallory and started diving feeling around for Sam.

Art noticed Carol didn't seem overly concerned. In fact, she pulled herself onto the tube and made herself comfortable in the sun.

Art swam up to her. "What's going on, Carol?"

She blinked down at him. "Whatever do you mean, honey?"

"Where's Sam?"

She smiled and motioned farther out. In the distance Art could make out a swimmer doing perfect backstrokes.

"Did I ever tell you that my Sam was all state when he was a senior in high school. In the butterfly especially. He grew up on the water." Carol said smiling.

Art boosted himself up to kiss her and growled. "You two planned this!"

"Planned what?" She asked innocently.

"For Sam to do this little disappearing act and scaring the rest of us."

"We would never do that!" Carol tried to sound serious but her laughter was cracking through.

Josh who had also caught on joined Art and Carol, he remembered Sam telling him about his swimming trophies and they were all still in his old room.

The three of them watched Sam lazily swim back towards the group completely unfazed by their diving and looking for him. He swam in the middle of everyone up by his mom. He rested on the tube with Art and Josh. The four were laughing as the rest of the group found out what was going on. Mallory and Hallie swam up behind Sam and pulled him under as punishment. He came up sputtering and took off after them. They screamed and swam away. Everyone was surprised at how fast Sam could still swim even with his legs trailing behind him. Carol hadn't seen him this happy since he arrived. Sam chased Mallory off a ways; the two spent the rest of the time dunking each other.

Finally Sam tired out and everyone hauled each other out and collapsed on the blanket.

Sam flipped onto his stomach as to not burn the front of his legs too much. He felt a hand on his back and turned to see his mother gazing at him- asking. Sam knew what she wanted. He nodded and turned his head back around, he didn't' want to see her face when she looked.

Slowly Carol pulled up Sam's shirt. She silently gasped at all the scars on Sam's back. She glanced at the others. Art was lying on the other side of the blanket sleeping. Everyone else was up playing Frisbee. She looked back down and began tracing one of the scars. She stopped when she felt Sam shudder, Sam reached up behind him and placed his hand on hers to let her know it was okay. She squeezed his hand and felt the rest of them.

In the distance, Josh watched Carol look at Sam's scars. He rubbed his own and remembered how his mother had done the same thing. She wanted to see the mark left on his chest from the bullet, it must be a mother thing he guessed and got back into the game.

Carol pulled down Sam's shirt and lay down next to him. "I don't know where they get the energy. After working in an office everyday you would think they would tire out quickly, I did." Carol commented looking at Josh, Toby, Ashleigh, and Taylor. They all had office jobs and didn't get out much but they all had more energy then the kids who were sitting down building sandcastles.

"Got me, I'm exhausted." Sam said tiredly, he was wondering the same thing watching them.

Carol brushed back his hair.

"Are you in pain?" She asked quietly. Whenever she got home from work Sam would be sleeping or just getting up from a nap and he had told her before he came that he had been having back pains everyday in early afternoon. It was that time and she noticed his clenched hands and furrowed brow.

Sam sighed. "It's that time of the day." He locked gazes with her before continuing. "Everyday about this time I have an attack, your usually at work so is Art and then I take a nap, it's no big deal. They usually don't last that long."

Carol nodded trying to keep her tears at bay. She never wanted to see her son in pain. "Should we move the wedding time? It will be this time Sunday!" She said as the thought occurred to her.

"NO! No, we are not changing the time. I'll be fine. It's your day. Don't worry about it." Sam exclaimed waking Art.

"Okay, sweetie but you know I will still worry, I always do." She kissed him on the cheek, then turned over to lie next to Art. She reached her hand back over and held it out for Sam to grab. He sat up and took her hand.

Carol talked quietly to Art as she felt Sam squeeze her hand every few minutes. She knew he was pain and it took everything not to roll back over and comfort him but she knew that was the last thing he would want.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday came quickly. Josh stumbled down the stairs from Sam's old room. Toby and Art were already up having coffee with Hallie. He motioned to the guestroom and Art nodded. Sam and Mallory were still sleeping. To the surprise of everyone they fit on Sam's single bed and slept huddled together on it the two nights they had been there.

After the wedding and the reception Josh, Toby and Mallory were heading back to DC, Sam was following them on Monday.

The wedding was held in Malibu on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was a beautiful setting. Twenty chairs were set up for the small amount of guests. The sun was shining and the breeze off the water was warm and calm. During the ceremony Sam's cell rang, he embarrassingly answered it and was surprised it wasn't for him but for his mom and Art from the president. They were both pleased that he took time out of day to call them. The ceremony continued with no more interruptions. The reception was closer to the house. Sam and the Taylor girls got permission to hold it at the firehouse. It was where Art and Carol met and where they both had many friends. The reception was well attended.

It was there that Mallory noticed Sam wasn't having that good of a time. Josh was dancing with Ashleigh and Toby was in deep conversation with Katie's eldest girl-Meghan. Mal smiled at the two of them and knew that Toby would be a good father no matter what.

Mal turned to see Sam wheel himself out. She glanced around to see if anyone noticed. She caught Carol staring after him. She was dancing with Art but Mal knew she wanted to go after him. Mal caught Carol's eye and nodded to let her know that she would take care of it. Carol nodded back in relief.

Mal walked out the door Sam had rolled out a few minutes ago. She didn't see him so she continued to walk around the building. She spotted him across the street looking at the water. She carefully made her way across the street and quietly joined Sam. After a few minutes she noticed that he was in pain.

"Sam?" She asked quietly to not startle him.

He turned and she could see the pain in his blue eyes. "It's just a daily" he said, it was what they called his everyday pains.

"A little late isn't it?" Mal asked.

"A little, but at least its now and wasn't during the wedding."

Mal nodded in agreement, she moved behind him and started rubbing his shoulders to help him relax.

"You know what the worst is?" Sam spoke a few moments later.

"Hmmm?"

"Not dancing with my mom at her wedding reception. I could, but it wouldn't be the same." Sam said sounding hurt.

Mallory was surprised he hadn't said anything earlier but she had learned from this trip that Sam wasn't telling a lot of people a lot of things. She moved so she was facing him. Squatting down she took his hands.

"I don't think it matters to your mom, did you see how happy she was that you were just there? If you hadn't had the accident do you think you would even be here? Your mom knows you wouldn't be, it's not like she's happy this happened to you but I know she is very happy you are here today." Mallory reasoned.

Sam nodded. "I know," he sighed.

He grasped as a wave of pain waved down his spine.

"How long has it been going?" Mal asked.

Sam glanced at his watch, "eighteen minutes."

"Long one then." She commented and again he nodded. This one was worse then usual.

The two of them waited another ten minutes for it to pass before they headed back inside.

The reception ended a few hours later with the blowing of bubbles as Art and Carol ran to their limo. They were planning on driving up the coast to Cape Mendocino to camp. They stopped at the house to say their personal good bye's to the family.

Carol immediately teared up when she turned to Sam.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. Go have a good time. I'll see you in February when you come out. Soon. I'll be fine." Sam reassured her. She nodded and gave him a big hug before turning to Art and leaving without a word.

Sam sighed, he hated saying goodbye but he would see her soon. Mallory came over and gently rubbed his shoulders in comfort. He reached up and held onto her hand as they watched Art and Carol drive off.

Hallie started her jeep; Toby, Sam, Josh and Mallory piled in for the ride to the airport. Katie and Ashleigh stayed behind to start dinner for when Sam and Hallie returned.

The trip to the airport was quiet. Josh and Mallory hugged Sam goodbye promising to see him tomorrow, Toby growled and shook his hand as if he didn't care. The three waved as they passed through their gate and onto the plane.

Hallie and Sam returned home to a delicious meal. The four reveled in each other's company while they could and they didn't leave Sam alone until 10 that night. He was going to close the house and Ashleigh was to drive him to the airport Monday afternoon.

Next: Norman Seaborn shows his face and Sam's trip home does not go as smoothly as he intended as he and Leo have a talk.