Chapter 31- The Children Are Our Future

When Sam dropped Danny and Scout off at Lila's Kids, she was happy to see Cameron back. As they walked over, Sam heard Spencer talking to Emma.

"You're supposed to be my girlfriend," Spencer said. "But I keep seeing you talking to Daniel when he's here."

"Yeah, because I'm his camp counselor," Emma said. "Besides, our parents used to be engaged."

"You seem to be getting really close to him."

Sam looked at Danny, who sighed and walked over to Jake.

"He's been going through a lot and has confided in me with some stuff. I care about him!" Emma said. "I'm allowed to talk to people."

Spencer crossed his arms. "And here I was worried about Cameron. But it's Daniel I need to worry about."

Sam rolled her eyes.

"There's nothing going on between me and Danny," Emma said.

"If there's nothing going on, then stay away from him!"

Emma's mouth dropped slightly. "If you're going to be jealous and controlling then we're over!"

Spencer furrowed his eyebrows. "Breaking up with me so soon after Grandmother died… that's very low."

Emma frowned. "I'm sorry. Look, we don't have to break up. But don't worry, I'm not into Danny that way."

"If you're not into Danny, then prove it!"

"How am I supposed to stay away from him when he's in my group? It was your idea to switch groups with me and Jake. You and Joss had the older group but wanted the middle group instead."

"Then maybe we need to switch back," Spencer said. "Or maybe I need to trade spots with Jake."

"Mommy!" Scout tugged on Sam's shirt. "Can I go with my group now?"

"Yes, honey." Sam kissed her forehead. "Have fun."

Scout ran over to join Cam, Trina, Noah and the other little ones.

Cameron set his hands on his hips. "I can't believe Chase took Violet…"

"She seemed so happy with you guys," Trina said.

"Mom's worried that he's taking her right to Nelle," Cam said. "Apparently he's like her slave now."

Sam started to head back to the car when she saw Valentin and Nina step out of a limousine.

Charlotte's eyes grew wide and she clutched tightly to Lulu's waist.

"Ma Petite." Valentin smiled as they walked over to them.

"Valentin…" Lulu swallowed hard. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for Charlotte."

Nina knelt over a little. "Isn't this great? You get to come home with us again. Your papa has finally figured things out."

"Excuse me?" Lulu said.

Charlotte looked between Lulu, Nina, and Valentin. "I miss Nina, but… please don't take me away."

"After everything you've done to terrify Charlotte, I'm not going to let that happen," Lulu said.

Valentin pulled out a piece of paper and showed it to Lulu. "The District Attorney says otherwise."

Lulu's mouth dropped slightly. "You can't…"

"What is Valentin doing here!?" Spencer appeared at Sam's side. "Where is my father, you imbecile?"

"Ma Petite…" Ignoring Spencer, Valentin took Charlotte's hand and kissed the top of it. "It is time to go home now."

"Charlotte…" Nina stroked her hair. "Your papa would never hurt you."

"No, he'll just hurt everyone else in the world, especially me and Father," Spencer said.

Lulu groaned. "Sweetie, you have to go with your papa right now. But I'm going to figure this out. Just stay close to Nina." She turned to Nina. "Take care of her."

Charlotte crashed into Nina's arms, then followed them to the limousine.

Lulu burst into tears. Spencer walked over and wrapped an arm around her. "I will avenge him and get back what's rightfully ours."

When Sam climbed into her car, her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Fair Samantha…" Spinelli's voice came through. "Maximista has just given birth. She wants you to come meet him."

GHGHGH

"Isn't he perfect?" Maxie asked from her hospital bed while Sam held the baby in her arms.

"He's beautiful," Sam said.

"Malcolm Damien Jones. For now. If things progress with me and Spinelli, we might give him his name, but I really wanted to honour Mac and I think Malcolm suits him perfectly."

"I agree."

The door swung open and Georgie and James ran in followed by Spinelli.

"My babies!" Maxie smiled. "Come meet your new brother."

Sam handed Malcom back to Maxie. "I'll let you guys have some family time. I'm so happy for you."

Sam headed out through the hallways but stopped when she saw Sasha in a hospital gown standing outside the nursery.

"Sasha?" Sam said. "Hi."

Sasha smiled. "Oh hi, Sam. Isn't he perfect?"

She pointed to the newborn with dark brown hair.

"Yeah, he's beautiful."

"Sonny and I agreed on Elias. I think it's a strong name."

Sam nodded. "That's a good name."

"Thanks. Carly wanted to name him John after her father."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Of course, she did."

"She also thinks she and Sonny should raise him."

Sam sighed.

"But Harmony and V-Town want to help me out."

"You really need to get out of there," Sam said. "They are bad people and they're trying to control this town."

"But they've given me nothing but support and hope for a future. Harmony was even my birthing coach last minute."

"Sasha?" Harmony walked up and squeezed her arm. "Sam isn't bothering you, is she?"

Sam rolled her eyes.

"No. Not at all. I was just telling her how supportive you and V-Town have been."

Ring. Ring.

Sam sighed. "I need to take this. But Sasha, please call me if you ever need to talk." She walked further down the hall and pressed her phone to her ear. "Dad?"

"Hey, Sam. Ava wants us to meet her at her gallery. She says it's important."

Sam groaned. "Really? At this rate, I'm never going back to work again."

GHGHGH

Alexis, Julian, Kristina, Molly, Lulu, and Spencer were already at the gallery with Ava when Sam arrived. Why Lulu and Spencer along with her sisters were there she didn't know as they had no connection to Ava.

"Thank you for coming," Ava said.

"Why did you want to see us?" Lulu asked.

"And us?" Molly asked, raising an eyebrow at Kristina.

Spencer crossed his arms. "And why was it so urgent that I had to leave Lila's Kids?"

"Well, technically it's my husband who wants to see you," Ava said.

"Husband?" Julian said. "When did you get married?"

"Not long ago."

"What do we have in common with Lulu?" Alexis' mouth dropped open. "Oh my gosh…"

"Nikolas!" Ava called. "You can come out now."

Nikolas stepped out from around the corner.

"Father?" Spencer said softly.

"Nikolas… it's true," Lulu said. "You're alive."

"Thank goodness you're all right," Alexis said.

"I—I knew you'd come back." Spencer crashed into his arms and started crying.

"How did you get away from Valentin?" Sam asked.

"It wasn't easy. He took me to Russia and Peter tried hypnotizing me, but I managed to fight it off and it had no effect. I escaped and as soon as I got back to the U.S. I contacted Ava. We talked and I wanted to wait until the right time to come forward."

"And you married her?" Alexis raised an eyebrow.

Ava rubbed Nikolas' arm. "Nikolas is going to help me get Avery back."

"You're planning to take Avery away from Dad?" Kristina asked.

"I'm sorry, Kristina," Ava said. "But I'm not going to let them keep her from me any longer, and I don't want her exposed to all this mind mapping."

"I almost had the codicil," Nikolas said. "I had it in my hand, but Morgan ripped it from me. And I only had once chance to escape, so I took it." He turned to Lulu. "I—I… Ava told me about—about…"

Lulu's eyes welled up and she embraced him. "About Mom. I know…"

"We're going to bring them to justice," Sam said. "Mom will win the election for starters. They're not going to win."

Nikolas nodded. "None of you can tell anyone where I am. I'm hiding out at Ava's for now. If Valentin knows I'm back, he'll go after Spencer."

GHGHGH

After putting Danny and Scout to bed, Sam, Lucas, and Willow leaned against the couch, exhausted from their long days.

"I saw Wiley today," Lucas said.

"You did?" Willow's eyes grew wide.

"Monica brought him in because he had a high fever."

"Is he okay?"

He nodded. "I hate not being able to care for him when he's sick, but I find comfort in knowing that Monica seems to be his primary caregiver right now. Nelle is too busy doing who knows what."

Knock. Knock.

Sam sighed. "I'll get it."

She hurried over to the door and opened it. Nelle stood there with Alessandro and the social worker from before that knew the Marchesis.

Nelle smiled. "Hi, Mom. Lovely evening isn't it?"

Sam clenched her jaw. "Stay away from my house and stay away from my kids!" She made to shut the door.

She resisted and pushed the door back open. "That's not going to happen, Mom. I'm not going to stay away from my brother and sister because I'm going to be their new guardian."

"Uh, no chance in Hell!"

"Alessandro," Nelle said. "Please serve her."

He handed her an envelope. "Mrs. Quartermaine is suing you for custody of the children."

"I'm here to get an overview of the house," the social worker said.

"Again?" Sam asked. "You already have."

"I need to double check some things."

Sam groaned. "Willow, do you mind going up with the kids, keep an eye on them?"

"Sure." Willow headed upstairs.

"I'll go with the social worker," Lucas offered and led her through the house.

"Aren't you going to invite me and Alessandro in, Mom?" Nelle asked.

"No. You are not welcome in my home and you're not taking my kids."

"Maybe not tonight, but we will have a custody hearing." She stepped closer to Sam and glared at her. "And when I win, you will regret the way you have treated me."