Danny finally looked over at Mary, hugging her. "When did you get home?"
"An hour ago."
"Sam's hurt."
He seemed so helpless that she rubbed his back to try to soothe him as she had when he'd come home after his mother's death. "They'll fix her." It was a rash promise, but one she hoped was true.
"What was she doing with Casey?"
"I don't know." She wanted to think that, rather than cheating on Danny and having anything to do with the destruction of the Monticito, Sam had been there to try to talk sense into her ex-husband, not that it made much difference either way. She'd been there and she was now here, hanging on for her life.
Ed met the group at the airport, his arms going around DeLinda, hugging his daughter, too scared to be angry with her. He looked at Nessa, who looked back at him, but stayed near Mike, holding Mike's hand. He looked at Julie, letting his firm embrace on his daughtergo to a protective but loving arm aroundDelinda's shoulders. "Thanks," he said, making eye contact with Julie.
She nodded. It was different seeing Ed after all this time, but , at the same time, felt like he'd always been there. "I'm sorry about the Monticito and the girl."
He nodded. "Can you stay?"
She shook her head. "I've got to get back to the girls."
"Daddy," DeLinda said, "Can we go see Sam?"
He kissed her blonde head. "She's still in surgery. We can go to the hospital though." She nodded and they left, daughter with father, followed by Nessa with Mike, still holding on to her as if she'd vanish before his eyes.
Matt had gotten a call and was gone by the time the four arrived. Ed and Mike stood beside Danny as Mary hugged the girls. The doctor came out of surgery, to everyone's relief.
"You're Samantha Marquez's father?" He asked Ed.
"We're all she has," Ed responded, trying to mask his shaken, worried appearance, if only for the sake of 'his kids'.
"She's awake. Still fuzzy on details, but the pain's there. We administered painkillers; she's tired and weak. She's in a private room, so you can see her, but take it easy. She's very lucky to have made it this far."
They went in as a family, in one group, Ed still with his daughter, Mike near Nessa, and Mary supporting Danny, as always. Sam still looked bruised and fragile, hooked up to machines, laying still on the cool white sheets. DeLinda held her father's hand but couldn't take more than a few minutes before going outside again, Nessa following.
"It's gonna be all right, Sammy," Mike said, using the familiar nickname he had for her before going out to the girls.
"You want me to stay?" Mary asked Danny quietly.
He shook his head and she went back out with Ed. "I want to go home," DeLinda said quietly.
"We'll go with her," Mike told him, knowing Ed had enough to deal with.
He looked hesitant, not that he didn't trust Mike or Nessa, just that he was having a hard time letting go of his daughter. "Okay." He watched them go before turning to Mary.
"I'll stay out here with him."
"I'm sorry about your vacation." Despite his reservations on her boyfriend, he wanted her to have fun and relax.
"I'll stay with Danny. Matt's coming back, so if he or Sam need anything, we'll be here."
He nodded. "I'll have my phone on. I want to go see how bad the Monticito is." She nodded and watched him leave before sitting outside Sam's room.