Chapter 2

Samantha put Chloe to bed after returning from their evening together. She told Angel and held her while she cried. Then Sam phoned Tom's parents, the doctor told her to find out their blood types. No point in running the tests on both of them if one was incompatible. They were upset and offered to do all they could. At least Sam didn't have to worry about them trying to take custody of Chloe again. Even though she knew it was wicked, she felt pleased when they found out that they had been on Jack's hit list. Wicked Samantha, she berated herself. How her stalker would love to know that one!

God, there I go again! Every day all day and every night all night, it's Jack this and Jack that! Sam scolded herself. Sometimes Sam could hardly remember what she ever did or thought about before he came into her life. Was there every really a time before Jack? She wasn't looking forward to trying to balance Chloe's illness with her stalker. I wonder if Jack would consider a time out? Sam giggled to herself. She could just imagine bargaining for that one, I'll give you a topless photo for 2 months peace!

Sam wondered briefly how long Chlo's illness would remain a secret from Jack of All Trades. Probably not long given his track record. Sometimes she almost wished she had his cell number to call him for her schedule, he seemed to know it better than she did! How am I going to talk to Chloe about this? Angel isn't great at keeping secrets, so I won't have much time to put this off and she has a right to know. Samanatha went to bed and cried herself into an exhausted dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Sam put up a cheerful front for Chloe who was having a good enough day she was able to go to school. Her daughter having a good day rallied her a little, but today's visit to the hospital would be so important and there was little else Samantha could focus on. Angel wished her luck as she headed out the door. She hoped for the best as she climbed into her SUV and drove to the hospital.

It was early wasn't too long. Sam sat in a waiting area and read a newspaper as she waited for a lab technician to take her blood sample. Splashed across the front page was a murder scene, it was speculated that it was a Jack copycat, it was his style, but there were no roses or uv ink messages to her. God can't I ever get away from work and death! Samantha shook her head and turned to the other less grisly stories of the day.

A little later a friendly lab tech called her back into the testing area and took a sample of her blood. Chloe's pediatrician had an office in another wing and would have the lab's analysis in about an hour. Sam went to the hospital cafeteria and got a cup of coffee. As she sat sipping her coffee, she looked around her and studied the people at the tables around the room. Usually Sam loved to people watch, but today she was too tense to let her interest be captured. The minutes seemed to drag by, a clock on the wall seemed to be ticking thundersouly to Samantha's ears. When it was at last a reasonable time to head up to Dr. Forester's office, she had to restrain herself from running. She felt so anxious. Sam bit her lip and silently prayed on the elevator on the way up. After a brief wait in the doctor's reception room, Sam was shown back to his office

"Dr Waters," Dr. Forester greeted her affably and motioned for her to sit in a chair in front of his desk.

"Dr. Forester, am I a match?" Samantha held her breath.

"I'm sorry Dr. Waters, but you're not a compatible match. We may be able to find a donor among some of Chloe's other relatives. Yesterday you said you would call your husband's relatives and get their blood types."

Samantha was momentarily stunned with disappointment and then quickly got a piece of paper out of her purse and handed it to him, "Both of Tom's parents are willing to donate."

Dr. Forester gave Sam a reassuring smile and looked at the blood types listed and at Chloe's chart. For a moment he looked thoughtful and then sighed. This was going to be awkward.

"Dr. Waters, Samantha if I may? Was your husband adopted?" he asked gently.

"No. Why?"

"Samantha was Chloe conceived through insemination?" Dr. Forester prompted.

"No," she shook her head. "I don't understand. What's the problem?"

"Samantha, please don't take this the wrong way and understand that I'm in no way judging you, but this is important. Is there any chance Chloe was fathered by someone other than your husband?"

Oh God, Samantha groaned mentally. There was that one night. One night before she married Tom. The night she surrendered her virginity, but no! She had always assumed- It was for the best if- Years of pretending and living a lovely lie and because of one night, her beautiful daughter-

"Samantha? Dr. Waters? Are you all right?"

"Yes, sorry. My mind went for a moment. Um, let's just say it's possible what then?"

"Then we really need to track him down and if he's not a viable donor, I suggest looking into having another child to be a donor, ASAP."

"I can't-"

"Dr. Waters I sure if you just think about it."

"He's dead, " Sam replied bleakly.

For the remainder of the interview the doctor pretended to be upbeat and Samantha pretended to believe him. It was easier for both of them that way, but both knew the situation was not good. Samantha walked with a heavy heart into the elevator and took it down to the underground parking garage.

"I'm so sorry Chloe," she whispered on her way to her car.

Samantha was so upset she didn't hear the footsteps behind her.