The Letter

Part IV

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: Thanks to anyone who is still reading this story. I know I have not been as diligent as I should have been about updating. Sorry about the long wait for the update. This is a total write in progress so I am just going with what I get when I'm inspired.

-x-

Sam was just nearing the end of her first trimester. This pregnancy was just as interestingly enjoyable as the first but in different ways. Just like the first time she'd been pregnant, Jason was constantly by her side. Yet this time he was the father of her baby and her husband which is what made her ridiculously happy. This time he was even more involved in her pregnancy and that was saying a lot because he'd been quite involved last time.

The little things like the first kick had been even more remarkable because this was their baby.

Sam had been laying on her side in bed, it wasn't very late but Jason was laying behind her, both had a hand over her baby bump that was starting show more and more. They were half watching The Daily Show and half just traded kisses, lazily. This moment the moon was shining through their window, and the moment, Sam could not imagine could be anymore perfect until she felt it. Both she and Jason startled right away, and looked at each other searching for confirmation that the other had felt the same thing as they had then she rolled onto her back.

"Was that just what I think it was?" Jason asked.

Sam nodded vigorously. "I think it was."

Then both put their hands back on her stomach and felt their baby kick once again. They couldn't contain the smiles from their faces or the wonder and awe in their eyes as they basked in the joy of feeling their baby's first kick.

Sam couldn't believe the blissfully happy turn her life had taken in the last six months. It was only half a year ago that she believed her new found mother had managed to destroy her relationship with Jason. That she'd ruined the best thing that had ever happened to her. Now things were even better from the first time they were together.

When Jason couldn't be there for her because he had to work, he made sure she had plenty of company. Everyone from Carly, Michael, and Morgan to Emily, Monica, Alan, and even Edward had stopped by to check up on her a time or two. It was incredible to Sam that she had such an extensive support system after growing up with really only one family member. It broke Sam's heart that her brother would never get to know his niece or nephew.

Jason and Sam had talked at length but decided that they didn't want to know the sex of the baby. They decided they wanted to be surprised. They did have their first sonogram framed on their nightstand.

That particular morning, Jason had gone to start getting supplies so they can begin decorating the nursery. Since they didn't know if they were going to have a boy or a girl, they were going for neutral pastels but were far from deciding on a theme of any kind.

Sam was lounging on the couch watching her guilty pleasure Judge Judy and indulging in one of her pregnancy cravings, eating salt and vinegar chips dipped in fruit dip. She was totally engrossed in the show, as Judy was about to pass down her judgment some swift drama filled justice, that Sam almost didn't hear the knocking on her door.

Sam immediately got up and walked over to the door then swung it open without checking to see who was on the other side as she had assumed it was her husband needing help with the supplies he'd purchased. However, it was not Jason, the man she loved but Alexis, the biological mother who she'd left behind her more than six months ago when she realized that the woman did not feel she was good enough to be her daughter.

"Alexis?" Sam questioned, extremely cautious as to what the woman could possibly want. Truth be told, she hadn't wanted to see her since she left her house. That last argument had been the final straw. She'd only invited her to the wedding so her little sisters could be there because she'd promised them they could be involved and as much as she hated Alexis, she loved her sisters.

"Sam, may I come in?"

Alexis, looked confident but nervous at the same time. However, even now that she was pregnant, her maternal instincts screamed at her not to let this woman inside the home she made with Jason. This place was theirs. Alexis had made it abundantly clear on more than occasion that she didn't approve of him or their lifestyle.

Sam crossed her arms over her chest and they fell on top of her burgeoning belly. "No, actually, I would prefer it if you didn't come inside my home, Alexis."

Sam could tell she was surprised by not gaining an invitation inside. Alexis pursed her lips, nodded her head, and then awkwardly started bouncing on her feet in the door way.

This went on for a couple more seconds.

She grew greatly frustrated. "What do you want Alexis?"

The older woman sighed while brushing her bangs out of her face, "Sam, you're my daughter and you're having a child. I know things started out rocky between us but I was hoping we could start over."

Sam was even more frustrated but now she was equally angry. "Things started out rocky? That's how you characterize it? You found out I'm your long lost daughter then while I was in surgery, fighting for my life, my life with the man I love, you guilted him into leaving me. You then hurtled me into your life then judged me for having been raised in the system as if it was my choice to become a con before I hit 15." Sam spewed at Alexis, she could see the guilt cross over her face but it did nothing assuage Sam's feelings of irritation that Alexis had the gall to be so blasé about how she'd acted not so long ago.

"You had no right to judge me and you had no right to interfere with my life. Well, guess what, mother, you said I was pathetic, dependent, and needed to get a life. You think you know who I am just because we spent 9 months together once upon a time? Think again." Sam spat, "Now, I have my life back, the one I wanted with the man I love, the man who is now my husband and the baby we've wanted since we lost our baby girl. The only reason I tolerate you is because of Kristina and Molly. So no, I don't want to start over. Frankly, I'm sorry I found out you are my biological mother in the first place."

Sam stood back then slammed the door shut in Alexis' face which had a look of stunned disbelief. She shuffled back to the couch, sat back down, and found that she now had no interest in watching anything so she turned the television off.

It wasn't even three minutes later before Jason came walking in the door. He had his arms full of bags but she didn't have to look at him to feel his concern rolling off of him in waves.

"Alexis was coming off the elevator when I got here. What happened?" Jason asked as he put all of the bags on the desk and immediately shed his jacket before sitting down next to her.

Sam's hormones were starting to get the better of her as she couldn't believe the nerve of Alexis. She had wanted a mother, a real mother, all of her life yet when she finally found her real mother, it was worse than her worst nightmare as a a child. All of the fears she'd had her entire life of finding her real mother had never hurt as much as the hurt she felt right now.

Jason pushed some of the hair off of her neck, soothing her with just a touch, it was incredible how he could accomplish such a feat with something so simple. Sam instantly relaxed into his body as they both sank back into the couch. He kept running his fingers through her hair as he knew she needed the comfort.

"She wanted a do over basically. She said we should start over because of our 'rocky start' as she called it. Jason, I just…" Sam felt the tension building up in her chest. She was going to lose the battle to stop the tears from falling.

"She thinks I owe her something, that I should want her approval… all I wanted my entire life was just her love and I don't have that but she wants that and so much more from me." Sam stuttered out as she began to sob. "She judged me for the way I was brought up like I had a choice in the matter. Now, she wants to be a part of my family. This family we're creating, out of our love, which she has already tried to tear down. I just can't risk feeling like I did the day I left her house… it was every bad thing I had ever feared about meeting and knowing my mother in a harsh reality. I won't let her take this family from me again. I just can't… I can't."

Jason held her as she cried into his shoulder and rubbed her back soothingly. "Sam, I know I made a mistake by letting Alexis play on my guilt but believe me when I tell you that will never happen again. You are my wife. We're having our baby. There's nothing that can take that away from us. If you don't want Alexis involved then she won't be… you're right, you don't owe her anything. However, you don't have to let her all the way inside our world, our family, for her to be involved in it some way."

As the sob subsided, Sam's eyes grew tired. She inhaled the scent of her husband. The scent of leather, rain, and mint from the shaving cream she bought him because she loved the smell. Oh, goodness, did she love the smell.

"Jason, let's go to bed." Sam said as she stood up then a second later was swept off her feet literally by her husband.

"Now, you've had too hard a day. I'll carry you upstairs." Jason smiled as he began walking which made her laugh.

"Jason, I'm perfectly capable of walking up to bed. I'm not an invalid." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "However, I'm not tired either."

Sam bit his earlobe just a bit which made Jason start to take the stairs two at a time from the new motivation to get them to their bed as soon as possible. Sam worries over Alexis and anything else flew away as her husband practically flew up the stairs.

-x-

End of Part IV