Chapter 17
Author's Note : Well, I'm leaving again, this time for Washington D.C. I won't be able to update for the next week, but I'll have a 12 hour drive to write more chapters!!!
Halfway through the meal Sam looked up and realized that the sun had set. She got up, went to the back door and called to Brady.
-You and Homer should come in now. It's getting dark.
The boy and puppy, now inseparable, came trudging inside. Brady stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of what to do. Jack sighed, taking pity on the boy.
-Are you hungry?
Brady shook his head. Jack sighed again.
-Uh…why don't you and Homer go play 'Hide and Go Seek'?
Brady looked at him, curious.
-What's that?
-It's an earth game that Homer loves to play. You go hide somewhere in the house and he has to find you. Or, he'll hide somewhere and you find him.
-That sounds like fun.
-It is.
Brady looked down at Homer.
-Do you want to hide first or should I?
Homer barked once and then hunkered down, covering his eyes. Brady ran off into the other room. Sam turned to Jack.
-I wonder why he's not hungry?
-It could have something to do with the fact that you took him out for ice cream.
Sam groaned.
-I didn't think about that.
-You've got to be careful with little kids. Their eyes are bigger than their stomachs.
-Yeah, I guess. I'll have to remember that.
Just then Homer got up, looked around in confusion and then headed after Brady. The sound of laughter was heard in the other room and Brady came running into the dining room.
-He found me!!!
Jack smiled.
-I told you he would. I wouldn't lie to you Brady. Now, he'll hide, so you've got to cover your eyes and count to 10.
-Ok.
He did so and Jack turned back to Sam, a huge grin on his face. Sam smiled a small smile and inwardly sighed. It was at times like this when she loved Jack so much it hurt. He had such a way with children and yet sometimes it seemed like he interacted with them begrudgingly. Once he started connecting with the child (which he always did), it was obvious that he had a gift. If only he would realize it. Jack saw her smile and smiled back quizzically.
-What?
-Nothing. Well…it's just that…that was really sweet what you just did.
-Telling him to play 'Hide and Seek'? I was just looking for something to get him out of our hair.
-Right.
-So…you ready for dessert?
-O'Malley's has dessert?
Jack laughed.
-No, this I made myself.
-This should be good.
Jack cleared away the plates and came back to the table with a pan of cheesecake. Chocolate cheesecake. Sam smiled in admiration.
-I love chocolate.
-I know.
He served them each a slice. Sam dug in and moaned in appreciation.
-This is really good. You made this?
-Yah…ok, technically no. It's no bake.
Sam laughed.
-Boy, I bet even I could make this.
-I don't know about that. I ruined the first batch. Lucky Homer got to eat it.
-You're not serious.
-For once, yes.
-Wow. Well, this batch tastes great.
-Thanks.
Just then Brady came walking in slowly and yawned. Sam smiled.
-Tired?
He nodded sleepily. Jack inwardly groaned. He didn't want Sam to leave; it felt like she just got here. He racked his brain for a way to keep Sam here, yet allow Brady to sleep. He almost kicked himself for not thinking of it earlier.
-Sam, he could uh…sleep in the spare bedroom…
She looked thoughtful.
-Well…
She looked over at Brady who nodded eagerly.
-Ok. Sure.
-Great. I'll go turn up the sheets and grab an extra pillow.
He got up and walked to the hall closet. Brady turned to Sam.
-My bear's in the car.
-Ok. Let's go get him.
They went to the car and returned just as Jack was walking back into the dining room. He smiled at Brady.
-Cool bear. What's his name?
-Jack.
Jack blinked in surprise.
-Oh. Well, uh…
He gestured to Sam.
-…you gonna do the honors?
-Yah.
-Ok then. Um…I put a shirt in there he can use as pajamas.
-Thanks. We just bought him some today but they're at my house.
Sam and Brady started for the bedroom. As Brady walked by Jack ruffled his hair.
-Good night kid.
-Night Daddy.
Sam and Brady went into the bedroom leaving Jack temporarily alone with his thoughts.