Chapter Nineteen

Four Months LaterThe Cellar

"Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Melanie, Happy Birthday to You!"
Everyone smiled and clapped as Melanie looked at her first birthday cake, like she was trying to figure out what it was.
"Well, since the birthday girl is a bit to young to blow out the candles by herself, I say her mom should help!" Leo said with a chuckle.
All the guests agreed and Sam smiled as she bent next to her daughter and said, "Make a wish Mellie."
Melanie laughed and Sam blew out the candles. Claps rang out as Sam picked Melanie up and gave her a kiss on the cheek with tears in her eyes. Jason noticed and put his arms around Sam's waist and pulled her and Melanie to him, "Sam, baby, waht's wrong?"
Sam laughed through the tears in her eyes, "Nothing's wrong Jason. It's just that my baby girl is growing up so fast...to fast."
Jason hugged Sam and Melanie as Carly got up on a chair and said, "OKay everyone! Time for the birthday girl's gifts!"
Everyone went over to the gift table and got their gifts for Melanie. Sam and Jason opened them all for her. Each time a gift was opened, Melanie would giggle as Jason showed them to her. By the time all the gifts were opened, Melanie had everything a one year old could ever need.
"Thank you all so much for the great gifts. Melanie just loves them all," Sam said, pointing to Melanie who sat on Jason's lap playing with a stuffed elephant.
"Wait a minute Sam!" Greenlee said as she stood by the door to the Cellar's back room, "I still have a gift for you!"
Greenlee opened the door and Sam watched as a tri-colored collie walked out of the room.
Sam squealed, "Greenlee! Oh my god! How did you get Jamie back? I thought he was gone for good after I gave him to you and Ryan!"
"It's my little secret," Greenlee laughed, winking at Carly.
Carly tried to hold a laugh as she watched Sam hug her dog. Sam walked Jamie over to Melanie and Jason, "Mellie, this is Jamie. He's ours if Daddy says it's okay."
Jason smiled, loving the smile on Sam's face, and patted the dog's head, "Welcome home J."