Samantha Spade POV:
Spade Residence
February 14, 2004
10:00 a.m.
I roll around, watching as the morning light shines in through the blinds. I let out a tired yawn, upset to not be with Jack on Valentine's Day and even more angry with myself for running home.
I want to spend time with him, and get in his daughters' good graces; I can't do that here, though.
I slip out of bed and head into the shower to wake up.
"Sam?" I hear Jack knocking against the bathroom door and feel the cool breeze as he opens the door.
"Jack? I didn't know you were here. I'll be done in a few minutes," I answer.
"All right. We wanted to take you to breakfast."
"We?" I peer out from the shower curtain.
"The girls are in the bedroom waiting for you."
"Can you keep an eye on them?"
"Oh yeah, right." He slips out from the bathroom and I finish in the shower as quick as I can.
I grab my robe and slip it on as I head into the bedroom to see no one in sight. I rummage through my drawers, pulling out a pair of jeans and a top to slip on. I quickly get changed and head into the living room to see the three of them sitting on the sofa, watching television.
"Hi, Hannah, Kate," I eye them both and then Jack.
"Does she have to come with us?" Hannah whispers rather loudly to Jack. I wouldn't be surprised if she intentionally wanted me to know she doesn't want me along.
"Remember our discussion this morning?" Jack eyes them both sternly.
They nod in unison.
"Why can't we spend Valentine's Day with Mommy?" Kate questions.
"You want me to take you girls home?" he questions. "Your punishment still stands, no matter who you're with."
"We'll stay with you," Hannah answers.
"Yeah," Kate chimes, as I grab my things and we head for the door.
I take a seat in the passenger side next to Jack.
"Hannah, Kate," he glances back towards them, "is there something you want to tell Samantha?"
"No," Hannah crosses her arms defensively.
"I'm sorry," Kate answers, her voice barely above a mumble.
"I'm not," Hannah protests. "I don't even get why we have to be seen with her."
"Hannah, that's enough!" Jack's voice sends a shiver down my spine as his voice vibrates through the car. I glance into the side mirror of the car, seeing her eyes fill with tears.
"It's never enough," she answers as we pull up to a traffic light and I hear the backdoor open and slam shut.
"Shit!" Jack gasps, watching as Hannah takes off on foot.
Without a second thought, I escape the vehicle and run after Hannah.
"Hannah!" I call after her, seeing her glance back towards me as she runs as fast as her feet will take her. Luckily we're not on any main intersections, so there's not crowds of people or cars about to run her over. She keeps running straight, which happens to be down and into an alley.
"No," she groans, turning around to face me. "Leave me alone!"
"I can't," I answer, hearing Jack's footsteps tearing down the pavement as he makes his way towards us. "Hannah, you don't want to do this."
"You don't know what I want."
"You're mom and dad love you, Hannah. Your running off won't solve anything." I slowly approach her, but give her enough distance to make her feel comfortable.
"Hannah," I hear Jack's voice as I glance back to see his hand latched around Kate's. "Let's go home," he says to the girls. I let out a sigh and step to the side as Jack takes his free hand and holds Hannah tightly.
"Does she have to come with us?"
"I'll catch a cab," I answer, not giving Jack another alternative. I make my way out to the street at a decent pace and hail a cab. I glance out the window and see Jack watching as I take off for home.
***************
Jack Malone POV:
Malone Residence
February 14, 2004
11:05 a.m.
"Hannah," I shake my head, grateful I remembered to use the child-safety locks on the car door for our way home. She promised me she wouldn't run again, so long as Samantha wasn't around. I didn't have an answer for her, at least not one she'd want to hear.
We pull into the driveway and I come around and open the back door for the girls to slip out from the car. They head on inside the house and I follow behind them. "Maria?" I call out, hoping she's home.
"What are you doing here?" she glances towards the girls with a questioning look.
"Hannah tried to run away," Kate chimes.
"Yeah, they've been quite a handful the past day."
"It's because you had her over."
"Samantha?" Maria questions.
"Yes," I nod. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell the girls they don't have to respect her."
"I never said that," she says. "I might have said I have no respect for her, but I never said the other."
"Do you think they know or understand the difference?" I glance over at the girls, "You two go into your room!"
"Jack," Maria tries to stop me.
"They've been awful to her. I wouldn't be surprised if she never wanted to see them again."
"Good!" Hannah shouts, stomping off into their room.
"See," I gesture towards her behavior.
"It's your doing, Jack. She wouldn't be this way if you hadn't introduced her so soon."
"Bullshit!" I shake my head. "It was only a matter of time. I thought you were in this with me—helping the girls move on, doing what's best for them."
"What's best for them?" she repeats. "Giving them a stepmother who knows nothing about children?"
"That's not her fault! She could be a wonderful mother if our children weren't so damned awful to her."
"Maybe she needs parenting skills," Maria quips.
I eye her to shut up, my anger boiling in my veins. "Maria," I warn her, shaking my head in disgust. I pace around the living room, wearing a hole in the rug. "We have to do something about their behavior."
"And what do you suggest?"
"When I was stopped at a traffic light, Hannah ran from the car! We both know Kate looks up to Hannah. I don't need two problematic children on my hands."
"Whose fault is that?" she eyes me.
"Don't go putting the blame on me!" I scoff. "You're just as guilty as I am—always having a babysitter watch our children. They would never treat the sitter this way!"
"You're not fucking the sitter," Maria spits out.
I move my hand to my face, trying desperately not to punch something or wring her neck. "This is obviously a problem, whether you want to see it or not."
"I know," she nods, "I'll make an appointment with the child psychiatrist on Monday."
"Do you have time to take her there after school?"
"No, but I'll make the time," she lets out a sigh, collapsing onto the sofa. "Jack, when did our lives become such a fucked-up mess?"
"Too long ago," I answer. "I should get going. I need to talk to Samantha about all this."
"I'm sure," she dryly comments.
"The girls are both grounded—Kate for the next week and Hannah for the next month."
"What'd they do to piss you two off?" She leans back slightly amused.
"Tore the house apart when I left the girls with Sam."
"There's your problem: trusting her to watch our children."
"One day she'll be their mother," I tell her.
"Stepmother," she corrects me. "Either way, I wouldn't recommend doing it again," she smirks.
"No shit! I've got two nice purple stains on the white couch, and a broken ceramic bowl that managed to chip the wood floor."
Maria's eyes rise in amusement. "They did all that damage? How long were you gone?"
"Under half an hour. I went to get them ice cream, which they obviously didn't get to eat." I let out a sigh. "I should head out. Have a Happy Valentine's Day."
"Yeah, you too," she answers as I slip out the door and head down to the car. I pull out into traffic, making my way towards Samantha's place.
*******************
Samantha Spade POV:
Spade Residence
February 14, 2004
11:45 a.m.
I lounge around the living room, upset by today's events but more upset that it was my fault Hannah wanted to run away. If there was something I could do to gain her trust—I shake my head, knowing it's no use.
"Sam?" I hear Jack knocking against the door and stand up to answer it.
"What are you doing here?" I ask as I open the door to let him in and return to the sofa.
"Taking you out for Valentine's Day."
"Thanks, but I already have plans."
"With whom?" he questions.
"Ben and Jerry," I answer, showing him the small carton of ice cream sitting on the coffee table.
"Oh, Samantha." He scoots next to me with a soft laugh. "You actually had me worried for a second."
I lean into the couch cushions with a soft sigh. "Why aren't you with your girls?"
"It's Valentine's Day," he reminds me softly, brushing my hair off my shoulders as his hand trails down my neck. "I was hoping we could spend it together."
"We're together," I muse.
"I meant out," he eyes me. "I can get us dinner reservations if you want?"
"Can we stay in?" I question, taking a spoonful of ice cream.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just not in the mood to go out. I'm sorry."
"It's all right. Whatever you want, Samantha." He eyes me intently. "Don't worry about Hannah; she'll be fine."
"How can I not worry?" I press the issue. "This never would have happened if--"
"What?" he questions.
"Nothing," I shake my head, dismissing the thought. "We can go to the movies if you want. I just want to relax this weekend. We have enough running around and mayhem during the weekdays to deal with."
"I want whatever you want, Sam."
I scoot around on the sofa, stretching to lie down, with my head in his lap.
"I could use a nap," I yawn.
"You want to sleep in your bed?"
I close my eyes. "No, this feels nice." I feel his hand on my shoulder as I situate myself to get comfortable and his fingers move into my hair.
I let out a soft sigh, feeling content and comfortable with the current situation. If only things didn't have to change.
Spade Residence
February 14, 2004
10:00 a.m.
I roll around, watching as the morning light shines in through the blinds. I let out a tired yawn, upset to not be with Jack on Valentine's Day and even more angry with myself for running home.
I want to spend time with him, and get in his daughters' good graces; I can't do that here, though.
I slip out of bed and head into the shower to wake up.
"Sam?" I hear Jack knocking against the bathroom door and feel the cool breeze as he opens the door.
"Jack? I didn't know you were here. I'll be done in a few minutes," I answer.
"All right. We wanted to take you to breakfast."
"We?" I peer out from the shower curtain.
"The girls are in the bedroom waiting for you."
"Can you keep an eye on them?"
"Oh yeah, right." He slips out from the bathroom and I finish in the shower as quick as I can.
I grab my robe and slip it on as I head into the bedroom to see no one in sight. I rummage through my drawers, pulling out a pair of jeans and a top to slip on. I quickly get changed and head into the living room to see the three of them sitting on the sofa, watching television.
"Hi, Hannah, Kate," I eye them both and then Jack.
"Does she have to come with us?" Hannah whispers rather loudly to Jack. I wouldn't be surprised if she intentionally wanted me to know she doesn't want me along.
"Remember our discussion this morning?" Jack eyes them both sternly.
They nod in unison.
"Why can't we spend Valentine's Day with Mommy?" Kate questions.
"You want me to take you girls home?" he questions. "Your punishment still stands, no matter who you're with."
"We'll stay with you," Hannah answers.
"Yeah," Kate chimes, as I grab my things and we head for the door.
I take a seat in the passenger side next to Jack.
"Hannah, Kate," he glances back towards them, "is there something you want to tell Samantha?"
"No," Hannah crosses her arms defensively.
"I'm sorry," Kate answers, her voice barely above a mumble.
"I'm not," Hannah protests. "I don't even get why we have to be seen with her."
"Hannah, that's enough!" Jack's voice sends a shiver down my spine as his voice vibrates through the car. I glance into the side mirror of the car, seeing her eyes fill with tears.
"It's never enough," she answers as we pull up to a traffic light and I hear the backdoor open and slam shut.
"Shit!" Jack gasps, watching as Hannah takes off on foot.
Without a second thought, I escape the vehicle and run after Hannah.
"Hannah!" I call after her, seeing her glance back towards me as she runs as fast as her feet will take her. Luckily we're not on any main intersections, so there's not crowds of people or cars about to run her over. She keeps running straight, which happens to be down and into an alley.
"No," she groans, turning around to face me. "Leave me alone!"
"I can't," I answer, hearing Jack's footsteps tearing down the pavement as he makes his way towards us. "Hannah, you don't want to do this."
"You don't know what I want."
"You're mom and dad love you, Hannah. Your running off won't solve anything." I slowly approach her, but give her enough distance to make her feel comfortable.
"Hannah," I hear Jack's voice as I glance back to see his hand latched around Kate's. "Let's go home," he says to the girls. I let out a sigh and step to the side as Jack takes his free hand and holds Hannah tightly.
"Does she have to come with us?"
"I'll catch a cab," I answer, not giving Jack another alternative. I make my way out to the street at a decent pace and hail a cab. I glance out the window and see Jack watching as I take off for home.
***************
Jack Malone POV:
Malone Residence
February 14, 2004
11:05 a.m.
"Hannah," I shake my head, grateful I remembered to use the child-safety locks on the car door for our way home. She promised me she wouldn't run again, so long as Samantha wasn't around. I didn't have an answer for her, at least not one she'd want to hear.
We pull into the driveway and I come around and open the back door for the girls to slip out from the car. They head on inside the house and I follow behind them. "Maria?" I call out, hoping she's home.
"What are you doing here?" she glances towards the girls with a questioning look.
"Hannah tried to run away," Kate chimes.
"Yeah, they've been quite a handful the past day."
"It's because you had her over."
"Samantha?" Maria questions.
"Yes," I nod. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell the girls they don't have to respect her."
"I never said that," she says. "I might have said I have no respect for her, but I never said the other."
"Do you think they know or understand the difference?" I glance over at the girls, "You two go into your room!"
"Jack," Maria tries to stop me.
"They've been awful to her. I wouldn't be surprised if she never wanted to see them again."
"Good!" Hannah shouts, stomping off into their room.
"See," I gesture towards her behavior.
"It's your doing, Jack. She wouldn't be this way if you hadn't introduced her so soon."
"Bullshit!" I shake my head. "It was only a matter of time. I thought you were in this with me—helping the girls move on, doing what's best for them."
"What's best for them?" she repeats. "Giving them a stepmother who knows nothing about children?"
"That's not her fault! She could be a wonderful mother if our children weren't so damned awful to her."
"Maybe she needs parenting skills," Maria quips.
I eye her to shut up, my anger boiling in my veins. "Maria," I warn her, shaking my head in disgust. I pace around the living room, wearing a hole in the rug. "We have to do something about their behavior."
"And what do you suggest?"
"When I was stopped at a traffic light, Hannah ran from the car! We both know Kate looks up to Hannah. I don't need two problematic children on my hands."
"Whose fault is that?" she eyes me.
"Don't go putting the blame on me!" I scoff. "You're just as guilty as I am—always having a babysitter watch our children. They would never treat the sitter this way!"
"You're not fucking the sitter," Maria spits out.
I move my hand to my face, trying desperately not to punch something or wring her neck. "This is obviously a problem, whether you want to see it or not."
"I know," she nods, "I'll make an appointment with the child psychiatrist on Monday."
"Do you have time to take her there after school?"
"No, but I'll make the time," she lets out a sigh, collapsing onto the sofa. "Jack, when did our lives become such a fucked-up mess?"
"Too long ago," I answer. "I should get going. I need to talk to Samantha about all this."
"I'm sure," she dryly comments.
"The girls are both grounded—Kate for the next week and Hannah for the next month."
"What'd they do to piss you two off?" She leans back slightly amused.
"Tore the house apart when I left the girls with Sam."
"There's your problem: trusting her to watch our children."
"One day she'll be their mother," I tell her.
"Stepmother," she corrects me. "Either way, I wouldn't recommend doing it again," she smirks.
"No shit! I've got two nice purple stains on the white couch, and a broken ceramic bowl that managed to chip the wood floor."
Maria's eyes rise in amusement. "They did all that damage? How long were you gone?"
"Under half an hour. I went to get them ice cream, which they obviously didn't get to eat." I let out a sigh. "I should head out. Have a Happy Valentine's Day."
"Yeah, you too," she answers as I slip out the door and head down to the car. I pull out into traffic, making my way towards Samantha's place.
*******************
Samantha Spade POV:
Spade Residence
February 14, 2004
11:45 a.m.
I lounge around the living room, upset by today's events but more upset that it was my fault Hannah wanted to run away. If there was something I could do to gain her trust—I shake my head, knowing it's no use.
"Sam?" I hear Jack knocking against the door and stand up to answer it.
"What are you doing here?" I ask as I open the door to let him in and return to the sofa.
"Taking you out for Valentine's Day."
"Thanks, but I already have plans."
"With whom?" he questions.
"Ben and Jerry," I answer, showing him the small carton of ice cream sitting on the coffee table.
"Oh, Samantha." He scoots next to me with a soft laugh. "You actually had me worried for a second."
I lean into the couch cushions with a soft sigh. "Why aren't you with your girls?"
"It's Valentine's Day," he reminds me softly, brushing my hair off my shoulders as his hand trails down my neck. "I was hoping we could spend it together."
"We're together," I muse.
"I meant out," he eyes me. "I can get us dinner reservations if you want?"
"Can we stay in?" I question, taking a spoonful of ice cream.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just not in the mood to go out. I'm sorry."
"It's all right. Whatever you want, Samantha." He eyes me intently. "Don't worry about Hannah; she'll be fine."
"How can I not worry?" I press the issue. "This never would have happened if--"
"What?" he questions.
"Nothing," I shake my head, dismissing the thought. "We can go to the movies if you want. I just want to relax this weekend. We have enough running around and mayhem during the weekdays to deal with."
"I want whatever you want, Sam."
I scoot around on the sofa, stretching to lie down, with my head in his lap.
"I could use a nap," I yawn.
"You want to sleep in your bed?"
I close my eyes. "No, this feels nice." I feel his hand on my shoulder as I situate myself to get comfortable and his fingers move into my hair.
I let out a soft sigh, feeling content and comfortable with the current situation. If only things didn't have to change.