Chapter Eleven

Troy held my hand tightly in his as we walked into Mama Joy's the next morning. I was nervous as hell. I felt Troy squeeze my hand reassuringly. I smiled up at him, grateful once more that he was there beside me, helping me through.

I saw him sitting there at the counter, sipping a cup of coffee. My heart flip-flopped inside my chest. Would I ever get used to seeing my grandfather? Probably, but most likely not any time soon. Nina was walking around the small diner, taking orders from costumers and taking them back to the kitchen. She saw us walk in and whispered something to Andy as she walked past him. He glanced up and his eyes caught mine. I smiled pleasantly, trying not to show the nervousness that I felt.

"Hello." He greeted us, standing up and indicating a table not far from the counter. We sat.

"We're glad that you could see us, Dr. Brown." Troy said, "I mean you're probably really busy."

"Nah," he shrugged, "I'm never too busy to talk to potential doctors." His grin was contagious. I felt myself instantly at ease with him. Troy seemed to sense that I was relaxing as well. His hand dropped from mine as he began to weave our tale and ask Dr. Brown questions about the medical profession. I listened intently, taking in every single thing that Andy said. I studied him, committing to memory every infliction of his words, every contour of his face, everything.

Nina stopped by the table more than once to take our lunch orders and refill our drinks: coffee (Troy and Dr. Brown) and tea (me). Every time she caught my eye she would smile at me. I couldn't help but smile back. There was something about her, my step-grandmother, that drew me to her. She was seemed so cool, so nice. I could see Mom being like her when she got older. I think that's what made me feel so easy around Nina, that I saw Mom in her.

I lost track of time. So caught up in the conversation it felt as if only a few moments had passed. Suddenly, Andy stood up and laid some money down on the table top. I glanced at the money, it was enough to cover all our meals.

"I hate to leave so suddenly," he said, finishing up his coffee with one gulp, "but I was supposed to be back at the office an hour ago."

I glanced at my watch then. We had been talking for two and a half hours!

"Of course," Troy nodded and shook his hand, "it's been a pleasure, Dr. Brown."

"It certainly has." Andy grinned. He headed towards the door then stopped and turned back to look at us. "Why don't you two come over for dinner tonight." He said. "We're having a big get together meal and it'd be great if you two could join us."

"Sure." I spoke up quickly, wanting to accept the invitation before it was taken off the table. A get together that could possibly include some of my relatives that I knew nothing about. This was my big chance to meet everyone, to make my impression on them before I decided whether or not to tell them who I really was.

"Excellent." Andy said. "Come by around six."

"Will do." Troy said. Dr. Brown waved and headed out the door. I turned to Troy, beaming. He laughed and shook his head before gripping my hand in his and leading me out the door.

Once we were free of the diner, and of Nina's hearing range, Troy looked at me, searching my eyes.

"You're sure you're ready for this?" He asked, meaning the family dinner. I nodded.

"I'm sure." He still looked a bit skeptical. I took his face in my hands and kissed him gently.

"I want to do this, Troy. This could be my only chance to let them know who I am."

He sighed.

"As long as you're sure."

"I am."


Ephram's POV

Madison was ready to fly out to Everwood as soon as she saw the note that Samantha had left, but I convinced her to give our daughter at least one night out there before going after her. Believe me, I was just as ready as Madison to get Samantha back, but I knew that she needed some time away from us. I knew that Samantha needed a chance to clear her head, to figure out who she was before we went after her. She had lived eighteen years thinking she was one person only to find out that she was someone else entirely. I think that called for a few days of peace from her parents.

I stayed the night at Madison's. I didn't really want to, but I didn't see how I could leave her once Samantha had disappeared. Waking up on a strange couch, in a strange house, left me a little disjointed the next morning. It took a few minutes before I figured out where I was. By that time Madison had wandered down into the living room, her eyes red and puffy from crying or lack of sleep or, most likely, from both.

"You alright?" I asked, knowing the answer already.

"No." She shook her head. "I have to go get her, Ephram, before he figures out who she is."

I knew who she was talking about, but I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't want my father to find out about his granddaughter. To me, it seemed like the perfect way to get back at him for keeping Samantha from my life. Kind of like a Here you go, here's the granddaughter you kept hidden for eighteen years kind of revenge. But Madison, of course, didn't see it that way.

"I don't want him hurting her." She continued. "I don't want her to get hurt the same way I did."

"Alright," I nodded, "we'll try and get the earliest flight out to Denver as possible."

Madison looked at me as if I had grown a second head.

"You want to go with me?" She asked.

"Of course. Samantha's as much my daughter as she is yours." I said, "And besides, I want to see my dad's face when he realizes who Samantha is and that I know who she is." I couldn't help sounding a little cynical as I said this.


Samantha's POV

Walking up the front steps I was flooded by the same trepidation that I had the first time I walked these steps only the day before. I was going to meet the rest of my family. I was going to find out what kind of people I came from. I was nervous as hell, but I had Troy right beside me.

I rang the doorbell and Andy greeted us a few minutes later.

"Glad you two could make it." He smiled and gestured us inside the dining room/kitchen and then led us into the living room where Nina sat with five other people.

"Everybody, I want you to meet Troy and Samantha, they're the two I was telling you about." He boomed. The attention of everyone in the room was focused on us.

"Samantha, Troy, this is Dr. Harold Abbott and his wife Rose. Their son Bright and his wife Hannah. And this is their daughter Amy."

Dr. Abbott and his wife were an older couple, probably mid to late fifties. They seemed nice enough. Rose had a friendly tilt to her mouth and Dr. Abbott looked like one of those men who tried to appear tough but couldn't actually pull it off. Bright was probably one of the handsomest older men that I'd seen. With blonde curly hair and eyes that were to die for. I could totally tell that he was one of the guys that girls had gone crazy for in high school. Hannah and Amy were the same two women that I had seen the day before. It was a little shocking seeing them again, but at the same time it was like I sort of expected that I'd see them again.

"It's nice to meet you all." I said, surprised that I could find the words to speak. These people may not have been related to me through blood, but I had a feeling that they were more like family than even my own grandmother.

"Well, it's almost time to eat." Nina said, checking her watch. "Let's give Delia a few more minutes to get here."

As if on cue, the front door opened and a figure strode into the living room.

"Hey everyone." The woman grinned. "Sorry I'm late."

I looked at her, studying every inch and committing it all to memory just in case I never saw her again.

She was average height with straight, glossy brown hair and large brown eyes. Dressed plainly in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a Marlins baseball cap pulled low on her forehead, there was no hiding the elegance that she possessed. She carried herself like a queen, back straight and shoulders back with her chin held high.

"Not a problem." Andy hugged her tightly. He introduced her to us. As soon as Delia's eyes met mine I saw them widen slightly. She knew. I don't know how she could have, but somehow she knew who my father was. Or at the very least, that I looked very much like her brother. She was the first person to pick up on the resemblance, and I prayed that she would not reveal her discovery to anyone else.


Well, I hope y'all liked this chapter. Sorry if it took me awhile to post, I've just been really busy. My family's getting ready to move and we've all been busy packing, plus I've started my senior year of high school and things are kind of hectic. Anyways, I hope you will review and tell me what you thought.

krazypirategurl: Everyone will eventually find out who Sam is, including Andy.

kursk: It is still undetermined if Ephram and Amy will be getting back together. By the end of the story, though, we all will know if they were able to fix thier marriage.

freak4wb, Doves30, Nautica7mk: Thank you all so much for reviewing. It really means a lot to me that you would take the time to tell me what you think of my story.