Title: Again

Chapter Four: How can I be strong?

Author: Jaycee

*All necessary formalities are in the first chapter

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Sam went to South Glen South Elementary School on Monday morning, with Rosie in tow. She insisted on coming today even if she's not going to go to her classroom yet, since he's going to enroll her first today. "Are you excited sweetie?" he asked as they went up the steps into the hallway.

"Yes daddy! Very excited!" she answered and she jumped up the last step of the stairs to emphasize her point. Sam laughed. "Okay princess, I get your point. Now, all we have to do is find the registry office to sign you up." He mused out loud as he looked around the hall.

"Mister, if you're looking for the registry office, I can take you there." A little blond girl said as she tugged at his hand. Sam looked down and grinned. "I didn't know I was talking that loud." He said as he kneeled down. "No you weren't that loud. I just have really good ears." She explained as she jerked her left ear.

"Okay, I get your point. You don't have to do that." He said gently as he took the little girl's hand and placed it on her side. He little girl smiled and the looked at Rosie. "Who is she?" "Oh, this is my daughter, Rosalind Coulson. Rosie, this is… I'm sorry I don't know your name." He said to the little girl.

The girl smiled and held out a hand. "I'm Georgia Peters." Sam shook her hand. "I'm Sam Coulson. Your very mature for your age." He commented as Georgia reached out and shook Rosie's hand. Rosie smiled at Georgia. "Hi." She whispered. "Hello." Georgia answered. "My cousin taught me a lot." She said proudly.

Sam looked at her, wondering where he's seen this little girl. "Have we met before?" he asked. Georgia squinted at him. 'There it is again. Georgia looks so familiar to me.' He thought to himself and waited for her answer. "Nope. I don't think so. Come on. The bell's about to ring and I have to bring you to the registry office." Georgia said and took him by the hand, and then started pulling him and Rosie.

"Okay, okay." He laughed and followed the little girl. A few minutes later, they reached the end of the hall and Sam saw the sign saying Registry Office. "Here it is!" Georgia announced and pointed to the sign. "I can see that. Thank you for all your help Georgia. You saved our lives. If not for you, we would have been lost in this school." Sam exaggerated which made Georgia laugh.

"You really look so familiar. Are you sure we haven't met before?" He asked again. "Sam! I'm only six years old. Where could you have seen me?" she asked, exasperated. Sam chuckled. "Okay, I'm sorry Georgia. It's really nice to meet you." Georgia grinned.

"I was just kidding. It was also great to meet you Sam! You too Rosalind!" Rosie smiled. "Me too." The bell started to ring signaling the start of classes. "There's my bell! I have to go! See you guys later!" Georgia called out as she started to run towards the stairs. "Bye!" Sam and Rosie yelled in unison.

"Georgia is such a nice girl, isn't she daddy?" Rosie asked as they went into the office. "She is princess, she really is." Sam replied as he smiled at the woman behind a desk. He shook off the feeling of familiarity towards Georgia and proceeded to talk to the woman about Rosie's enrollment.

* * * On Tuesday morning, Josie hurriedly went to the kitchen for some coffee where she saw Georgia already eating her cereal. "Morning!" Josie greeted cheerfully. "Morning Josie!" Georgia greeted back. Josie hurriedly made herself a cup of coffee and sat down. "So, how is school?" She asked, taking a sip.

"I'm having so much fun! I met so many cool people… and they didn't care if I'm a new student in South Glen." Georgia came from North Glen North's Elementary School where she studied Nursery and Kindergarten. "That's really great to hear!" Josie said even though she felt her heart sting every time she heard the name South Glen South.

"I met this man yesterday, he was with his daughter… and he was really nice… his daughter too." Georgia started, smiling. "Really? What's his daughter's name?" "Rosalind… something… I can't remember their last name." She answered, squinting as she tried to remember the last name. "It's okay sweetie. I know that you'll see her again. Rosalind, that's a really beautiful name." She commented, smiling as she remembered As You Like It, which has Rosalind as one of the lead characters.

Her smile then turned into a frown as she remembered the person teaching it. She shook her head and smiled at her cousin. "So, what else is happening to school?" "Remember the PTA Meeting I was telling you about? My teacher said, Ms. Singh, said that it's a meeting for the new students from all levels. It's going to take place at the auditorium of South Glen, starting at 2 p.m. on Friday. You're coming right?" Georgia inquired.

"Yes Georgia. I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I promised you remember?" Georgia nodded and then they heard a horn blaring outside. "There's your bus. Come on. Let's walk out together." Josie said as she placed the dirty dishes on the sink and then grabbed her portfolio. She took Georgia's hand and they walked out of the house together.

"You have you key?" Josie asked as she locked the front door. "Yeah. I do." "Sandra, your babysitter is going to be here waiting for you, so ride the first school bus home, okay?" Josie reminded her. "Yes Josie. I remember all of that. Don't worry. We go through all of this everyday. I'll be fine." Georgia whined.

"Okay. Now go on. Bye Georgia." Josie said as she kissed her on the cheek. "Bye Josie! See you later!" She called out as she went into the bus and waved at her. Josie waved back and waited until the bus was out of her sight before she went into her Buick and drove towards Chicago Sun Times.

* * * "Daddy. You're coming later right?" Rosie asked as Sam dressed her up for school on Friday morning. "Yes, of course I'll be there. I promised you that I'm coming to the PTA Meeting, remember?" he said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at his daughter.

"Is mommy coming?" She asked as she jumped off the bed and grabbed her bag. Sam swallowed. "She's not coming princess. Don't you remember? Mommy has a big company meeting this afternoon. She told you already that she's not coming." He reminded gently. Rosie sat on her bed and pouted. "But my teacher said that both parents are s'pposed to be there." She said sadly.

Sam scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tight. "I'm going to be there sweetie. Don't you like that?" he asked as he copied Rosie's pout. "You know I like that daddy. But I wish mommy could be there too." She replied as she snuggled into his arms. "I'll take you out for ice cream afterwards, okay? Will that make up for mommy not coming to the meeting?"

Rosie met his eyes and smiled. "Not really. But it helps." Sam laughed and kissed her on the forehead. "Okay. With that settled, let's get going. You're going to be late for school and daddy's going to be late for work. This is my first week, after all." He said as he carried her back on the bed. He has just been accepted to teach English Lit at North Glen North. "Okay daddy!"

And with that, she went down her bed and went out of the room and into her parents' room. "Mommy! Mommy! We're going!" Rosie exclaimed as she jumped on the bed. Lara moaned. "Get out. I'm sleeping." Then, she turned around, faced away from Rosie.

Sam looked at the exchange and saw Rosie struggling not to cry. He walked quietly towards her and carried her to his arms. "Come on princess. Don't mind mommy. Let's go so that we can have breakfast at McDonalds." He whispered. Rosie smiled and nodded. Sam grabbed his briefcase and Rosie's bag and went out of the house.

* * * "Merkin! Give this papers to Gus and tell him that I'm gonna be out for the rest of the afternoon." Josie said to Merkin as she went out of her office and practically threw the papers to her assistant's face. "Hey watch the hair Josie. What's the hurry anyway?" He asked as he grabbed the papers and placed it in a neat pile on the out box.

Josie checked her watch and her eyes became huge when she saw the time. "I only have 20 minutes till the PTA Meeting. I can't afford to be late and make a bad first impression." She explained as she rooted around Merkin's table for a tissue to wipe the sweat away on her forehead.

"Go to Gus's office now. Then I'll get going." She said and shooed him away. Josie rolled her eyes as Merkin scowled at her and placed his Tetris game down on the table. "Where are you going Josie?" Anita called out as she saw Josie running towards the elevator. "I got a PTA Meeting in… oh god! Fifteen minutes. I have to go. I'll talk to you later Anita!" she called out as she got in the elevator. "Georgia's going to kill me if I don't get there on time." She groaned as the elevator slowly descended.

* * * Sam parked his car in front of South Glen South, five minutes before three o'clock. The guard pointed him to the elevator at the right side of the building, which will take him to the auditorium at the fifth floor. The door opened at the fifth floor and he immediately went to the auditorium. At the door, an attractive woman immediately met him.

"Good afternoon Sir. I'm Ms. Shivi Singh. Whose parent are you?" she asked. "I'm Rosalind Coulson's father. She's a nursery student." Ms. Singh smiled and checked her clipboard. "Oh, yes sir. Just go to the table at the right side of the room. All the Nursery students' parents are all seated there. Your daughter is waiting." She said. Sam smiled. "Thank you Ms. Singh." "My pleasure." She gestured for him to come in and he nodded.

"Daddy! I'm here!" Sam heard Rosie yell as she jumped from her seat. "Hey princess." He said as he kissed her on the head. "Hi daddy!" She replied as she sat on his lap. "Has it started yet?" He asked her. "Nope. They're still waiting for the other parents." She explained.

He nodded. "Great! I brought you some chocolates. Here you go." He handed her a small bag. "Thanks daddy." She replied as she opened it and started eating. "Hey Rosie!"

Sam turned on his seat and saw Georgia smiling at them. "Hey Georgia!" Sam and Rosie said in unison. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he gestured for her to sit on the chair beside them. "I'm a new student too. I'm just waiting for my cousin. She's the one coming today."

"Oh really? Where are your parents?" "They're in Japan with my twin sister." Sam felt another twinge of familiarity towards Georgia. 'She has a twin?' He thought. "Would you like some chocolates Georgia?" Rosie asked as she handed her the bag. "Thanks." Georgia said as she dug in the bag.

A few minutes later, Ms. Singh took the podium. "Good afternoon everyone. I'm Ms. Shivani Singh and I'm going to be your host for the day." She started. Georgia looked around and frowned. "I have to go to my table now Sam, Rosie. I'll see you later." She said as she got down her seat.

"Is your cousin here yet?" Sam asked. "Nope. She's late. She's never late. I'll just wait for her at the table. See you later, then you can meet my cousin." She said as she walked away. "Bye Georgia!" Sam and Rosie exclaimed and as they sat and waited for the meeting to begin.

* * * "Wait! Wait! Hold the elevator!" Josie called out as the elevator doors began to close. At the last minute, a hand reached out and stopped it from totally closing. Josie sighed in relief and walked in to it. She took a deep breath and smiled at the person who stopped the elevator from closing.

To her surprise she found herself looking into a pair of amazing chocolate brown eyes. "Hey!" The man said easily, smiling. "He-hey. Thank you so much for holding the elevator." She replied, feeling her palms starting to sweat. "Well, I heard so much urgency in your voice so I know that you must be in such a hurry." He explained.

"Oh, yes. I am in so much of a hurry. I'm totally late for the PTA Meeting." Josie answered. The man's face fell at that information. "Oh, you have a child here?" He asked. "No. My cousin. I'm here for my cousin." The man visibly relaxed. "Oh, okay. You scared me for a minute there." Josie smiled at that.

"I'm Noah Walker." The beautiful man said as he reached out to shake her hand. "Josie Geller." She shook his hand. "You? Why are you here?" She asked, holding her breath for his answer. She hasn't been attracted to another man before, and this Noah Walker seems to be a really interesting guy.

"I'm here for my niece actually. My sister's in a business meeting. Since, I don't have much work to do, I volunteered to come here for her." he clarified. Josie nodded. "Ahh… That's really sweet of you." She commented. "You? Why are you the one here, instead of your cousin's parents?"

"Well, her parents left her to me three years ago since they moved to Japan. Georgia, that's my cousin's name by the way, well, she didn't want to live in Japan, so she now stays with me." "Now I get it." He said. The elevator bell rang signaling that they are now at the fifth floor. "Let's go." Noah said as he held the elevator door for her.

"Thanks." Josie quickly walked out of the elevator and practically ran towards the auditorium door. "We are all here today to talk about South Glen South and how we can…" Josie heard someone say from inside the auditorium. "Oh no. We're late." She moaned.

"Don't worry. We're just ten minutes late Josie. We shouldn't have missed too much." He soothe as he opened the door for her. Josie nodded and walked in. The woman talking immediately stopped talking and smiled at the two of them. "Hi. Sorry we're late." Josie said, smiling sheepishly. "Oh, that's okay. You are Mrs…" "Oh no. I don't have a child here. I'm here for my cousin, Georgia Peters." Josie explained. "I'm Ms. Shivani Singh. Welcome." She checked her clipboard and then pointed to the table at the back.

"There's your table." Josie nodded and smiled at Ms. Singh. As she walked towards the table, she bumped on a small table filled with papers. The sudden movement made all the papers fall on the floor. Josie closed her eyes. She heard the parents sicker. "Here, let me help you." Noah said as he crouched down with her and picked up the papers.

"Thank you, Noah. I am so embarrassed." She whispered. "It's okay. They couldn't have noticed you, have they?" He teased. Josie rolled her eyes as she stood up with papers on her hand. "That's okay Ms. Geller, Mr. Smith. I'll fix that." Ms. Singh said as she shooed them towards their table. "So, your cousin is in first grade?" He asked.

"Yeah. Your niece?" "She's in first grade too. So, I guess we'll be staying n the same table." He said softly and smiled at her. Josie smiled back and then walked towards their table.

* * * Sam looked up when he heard the front door open. His eyes almost came out their sockets when he realized who the person was. "Oh my God. It's Josie Geller." He said under his breath. "Daddy? What did you say?" Rosie asked, as she looked up at him.

"Nothing, honey. Nothing. Don't mind me." He said as he smoothed her hair. The little girl smiled and stared straight ahead at Ms. Singh. He stared at Josie as she smiled at the teacher, smoothing her hair behind her ear. 'Is she married? Who is that man behind her? Does she have a daughter? Was Joanah and Jon wrong when they said that Josie wasn't involved with anyone?' he thought frantically.

He felt jealousy start at the pit of his stomach, which slowly began its way up to his heart. 'Why am I jealous? I married Lara and I even have a child with her.' But his heart wouldn't listen. He gazed at Josie as she smiled at the teacher and at the man behind her.

'She's beautiful… stunning… amazingly breathtakingly gorgeous…' he thought, dazed.

He watched her as she walked towards the table that Ms. Singh pointed out when she bumped on a table that made papers fall all over the floor. He saw her blush prettily and then bend down to pick it up. Sam started out of his seat to help her when the man behind her bent down to help her.

"Who is that?" He muttered. He saw them smile at each other, and then the man led her to a table at the back of the auditorium. He gaped at her so much that he was surprised that his mouth didn't fall open. As he stared, his fingers ached to touch her… to be near her…

"How did he get so lucky that he's in the same table as Josie?" he said out loud. "Daddy? What did you say?" Rosie asked again. Sam looked at his daughter. "Nothing. Nothing. Um… go on. Listen to your teacher." He urged her. Rosie looked at him doubtfully and nodded. Sam strained his neck to see who her child is. To his surprise, he saw her talking to Georgia.

'Wait! She's Georgia's cousin?' he thought incredulously. He stared at the two of them laughing, he then saw the resemblance. His mind flashed back to the time when Josie was still his 'student'. Georgia? Georgia's one-half of the blond twins that Josie was ice-skating with that day at the mall! That's why Georgia's so familiar to me!

For the whole of the meeting, Sam just stared at Josie. He saw her smile, laugh, and talk to Georgia. Do everything that he's been wanting to see her do for the past three years. 'Oh God! I miss you so much Josie that it hurts.' He thought painfully. Finally, the meeting ended.

Sam quickly stood up and carried Rosie in his arms and strode purposefully to Josie. "Daddy? Where are we going?" "We're going to talk to one of daddy's old friends." He replied. He pushed Lara's threats at the back of his head. He has to talk to Josie.

* * * "So, Josie… I have to go right now. I have a meeting in an hour. Can I call you sometime?" Noah asked as they stood up. Josie looked at him in surprise. 'Should I give him my number?' She thought. She then remembered Anita's advise to her to move on. 'She's right! I have to move on!' She smiled at Noah and opened her bag to get a calling card. She handed it to him.

"Here's my calling card. My cell number, office number and home number. Just call me." She said. Noah nodded and handed her his calling card. "Thanks Josie. I'll call you!" He replied as he shook her hand again. "Yeah. Definitely." She replied. She watched him walk away and then turned around. "Georgia? Where are you, honey?" She called out.

"I'm here Josie. I want you to meet someone." Georgia answered. Josie kneeled down. "Who?" Josie smiled. "Him." Georgia gestured to the man beside her. Josie stood up and found her self, staring at a pair of gorgeous green eyes. But his time, it's not just anybody's eyes. This one's Sam Coulson's eyes! "Sa-Sam?" She stuttered.

"Josie… how are you?" Sam asked in the voice that never fails to leave her knees weak. Josie swallowed. "I'm okay… you?" 'How is it possible that he's even more gorgeous than the last time I saw him?' she thought. "I'm great." He answered. "Daddy? Who is she?" They both looked down and Josie saw a little girl who looked exactly like Sam.

"Princess, this is Josie Geller. Josie, this is my daughter, Rosalind Coulson." He smiled at her. Josie felt a pang in her heart at the mention of his daughter. 'He must love Lara very much to have a child with her.' she thought. "Hey." She whispered as she kneeled down to shake the girl's hand.

'She looks exactly like Sam' she thought to herself as she took in the little girl's green eyes and the cleft on her chin. "Hi." Rosalind whispered, smiling shyly. Josie smiled at her and slowly stood up. She looked into Sam's eyes and she felt herself drowning in them. She tore her eyes away and started to back away. "Georgia, honey? I have to go now." She kissed her on the cheek and waved nervously at Sam.

"Josie… I really want to talk to you." Sam said. She shook her head. "I don't have the time. Maybe next time." She called out. "Josie please." He pleaded. "Sam…" With that, she walked towards the door quickly, out of Sam's sight. "Josie! Wait!" She heard Sam call out.

"I'm not yet ready. I am so sorry!" she whispered as she felt tears fall down her cheeks. She brushed them away furiously. "He has a child already, he doesn't deserve my tears… he doesn't love me and he never did. Everything I felt that happened between us was all in my head!" She whispered.

As she went down the stairs, she heard footsteps approaching her quickly and at the last minute she remembered that Sam Coulson is a hockey player, and a good one at that. Josie looked around and saw a janitor closet. "That is so childish!" she said, looking at the closet.

She heard the footsteps getting closer, followed by Sam's voice calling her. "Oh God!" she whispered as she opened the door of the closet and got in. She held her breath as she saw Sam through the slits of the door.

* * * "Josie? Josie? Please! We have to talk!" Sam called out as he ran down the stairs. He looked around; bewildered that Josie was now out of sight. "Where are you Josie?" he said in a small voice as he leaned against a closet door. He sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry Josie. Please… I hope that you'll forgive me." He said wishing that Josie's right there beside him.

* * * Josie held a breath as Sam leaned against the closet door. She would have laughed out loud at the silliness of the situation if only she didn't want to break down and cry right there and then. She inhaled softly and Sam's intoxicating aftershave filled her senses. 'Oh God… he smells even better than he did before… if that's possible.' She thought dreamily.

She felt her pulse race as she heard his sexy voice whispering to himself. "I am so sorry Josie. I hope that you'll forgive me." She heard him whisper. Josie felt the familiar lump on her throat. 'I don't know Sam… I don't know. I'm sorry… I'm just not yet ready.' She thought sadly.

As he leaned even more on the door, she saw some of his hair make its way through the slits. Her fingers ached to touch his hair that she know is bound to be soft. 'NO! He'll know you're here!' she scolded herself. She tried to control her heart which is beating a thousand beats a second as she recognized the excited feeling that she always felt when he's near.

'Please… just go. Please.' She begged quietly. As if he heard her, he straightened up and slowly began to walk away. She counted to twenty before she gently eased the door open. She walked out of the closet and started to go down the stairs. She looked back at the closet, where she felt the amazing sensations that she hasn't felt for a very long time.

She wondered how she could go through this… knowing that this wouldn't be the last time that she'll ever lay her eyes on Sam Coulson.

* * * "Daddy? Where did you go?" Rosie asked as soon as she saw her father enter the auditorium. "Um… nowhere princess. I just had to go to the bathroom. That's all." Sam answered as he pulled her into his arms. "Where's Georgia?" "She said that her school bus is here already. So she has to go. Josie is very nice daddy." She commented as she played with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"How can you say that baby? You just met her." He reminded her as he leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. "I just know daddy. I know that mommy will like her." Sam stared at her in alarm. 'Lara wouldn't like Josie. Rosie can't tell her about Josie, or else she'll take her away from me! How can I tell that she cannot tell her mom about this?' he asked himself.

An idea started to form in his head. "Honey… can you keep a secret?" He whispered conspiratorially. Rosie's eyes became huge as she leaned towards her father to hear him better. "Yes daddy. Of course I can." She replied earnestly. "Okay. Can you not tell mommy that you met Josie today?" Rosie looked at him curiously. "Why?"

'Why? Why? Okay, you can do this Coulson.' "Because, it's a surprise. I want to be the one to tell your mommy about Josie, okay? Do you promise to not say a word?" She nodded and pretended to zip her lips shut. "I promise daddy!" "Great! Now… how about that ice cream I promised you?" Rosie squealed and wrapped her arms tight around his neck. "Yes daddy!" "Okay, let's go!" He announced as he stood up and they walked out of the auditorium.