Chapter 36- Nature vs Nurture

After Lucas, Elizabeth, and Felix wheeled Willow behind a curtain, Sam buried her face in her hands.

"You're sure?" Jax asked. "She's the baby you lost and she's mine too?"

Sam nodded. "I have the records at home. Helena took her and erased my memory of it. Sonny and Jason's too. Then she arranged for Harmony and her husband to adopt her."

Jax exhaled deeply. "This is a lot to take in."

Ring. Ring.

Sam pulled out her phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Sam, it's Drew."

"How are the kids?"

"Good. We had burgers at Kelly's. But we're at your place now and no one's home."

Sam sighed. "I'm sorry, I should have called you… Lucas is working. And I… I'm kind of dealing with an emergency right now. I'm at the hospital."

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"It's Willow… It's a long story, I'll tell you later… but I can't leave."

"Okay, well I can stay with the kids."

"Thanks… just please, stay at my place. Don't take the kids to Monica's while Nelle is still living there."

"Where is she!?" Harmony ran up to them with Alessandro and Francesco following behind.

Every muscle in Sam's body tensed and she tucked her phone away.

"Where is my daughter!?" Harmony asked.

Sam punched Harmony in the nose and blood splattered from it. "Get you and your goons out of here! You've done enough!"

Harmony's hand went to her nose. "What was that for?"

Sam laughed and shook her head. "What was that for? What was that for?"

"I take it this is Harmony?" Jax asked.

"I'll give you one chance," Sam said. "Leave with those Marchesi twits or I'll drag you out by your hair!"

"I'm not leaving," Harmony said. "Not while Kali… uh Willow… is unwell."

"Unwell? She might die because of you!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was at a V-Town service, then afterwards the hospital called me. Messenger Francesco and Messenger Alessandro came for support."

"She was in the Flushing Room! What did they do? Poison her? She was having a seizure when I found her!"

Harmony glared at her. "Why are you getting so involved in my daughter's life?"

Lucas pushed the curtains aside and stepped out carrying a clipboard.

"Doctor, how is she? How is my daughter?" Harmony asked.

"Arsenic poisoning," Lucas said. "She consumed a large amount of it. We're going to work to remove it from her system before it causes further damage. We're going to have to do blood transfusions from the patient's family. Harmony, you'll have to sign off on that."

Sam looked at Jax. "We'll do it. We'll give blood. You could too Lucas."

Lucas scrunched his face.

Alessandro cleared his throat and caressed Harmony's cheek. "Harmony, my dear. You know the Wonderful V's teachings on blood."

Harmony went white in the face but nodded. "We can not mix with blood outside of V-Town, it's too dirty."

"Are you out of your mind?" Sam crossed her arms. "She might die without a blood transfusion!"

"We must trust the All-Knowing V," Francesco said.

"Y-you're right," Harmony said, pressing a Kleenex to her bloody nose. "I will trust him."

"Handing her over to Shiloh to be raped wasn't enough for you, was it?" Sam asked. "Then you let your new cult poison her and you're going to refuse a blood transfusion that will save her life? Valentin isn't God. He's just a pathetic little man that has you under his thumb."

"Don't talk about the Amazing V like that," Harmony said through gritted teeth.

Jax cleared his throat. "Harmony, you really need to think this through, and don't let these men think for you. Willow is in critical condition. You said you didn't want dirty blood in her, well right now her blood is contaminated with arsen and it will kill her. She needs a transfusion."

"Why are you people still here?" Harmony asked. "I get that Willow is living with you Sam, but this is none of your business."

"Yes, it is my business," Sam said. "Willow is my daughter with Jax. Helena took her from me and gave her to you!"

Harmony's mouth dropped slightly.

"What?" Lucas said with wide eyes.

"In fact, the adoption was illegal, so I must be her next of kin."

Lucas shook his head. "Sam, we don't even have time for you to prove that. We need to do a transfusion right now."

"Even if this is true," Harmony said. "You've been her mother for all about five minutes, you are not calling all the shots. You don't know her like I do."

Sam felt the colour drain from her face. This must have been how Alexis felt when she and Jason argued over whether Sam should have brain surgery.

"Perhaps I could have a word with your… uh… messengers over here," Jax said. "Then you and Sam can have a word alone."

"Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Messenger Francesco and Messenger Alessandro," Harmony said.

"Harmony, please…" Sam resulted to begging. "Please, just sign off on the transfusions…"

"What if I told you I'd join V-Town if you let me give blood?" Jax asked.

Harmony raised an eyebrow. "You're bluffing."

Sam nodded, playing along. "I will too. That way we won't be dirty blood. We'll be part of the Almighty V's chosen ones helping to save a fellow member of V-Town. I think the Almighty V would be very impressed."

"You pretended to join Dawn of Day before," Harmony said.

"But I didn't," Jax protested. "I'd be willing to join, if you let me give blood."

Harmony turned to Francesco and Alessandro.

Francesco nodded. "We need more precious souls to join."

"All right, I will allow him to give blood. But not Sam, I don't trust her."

"Fine, whatever," Sam said.

Lucas handed Harmony the clipboard and a pen. "Just sign at the bottom."

Harmony took the clipboard and pen and stared at the paper. "How do I know he'll stay true to his word?"

Sam groaned. "Just trust in the Almighty V that he will! Prove your faith to him."

Harmony paused then finally signed it and handed it back to Lucas.

Sam exhaled deeply.

"I need a coffee," Harmony said.

"It would be our pleasure to escort you to the cafeteria." Francesco lifted his arm and she linked her hand through. Then Alessandro offered his arm as well and they went to the elevators.

"Okay, what in the world is going on?" Lucas asked.

"I'll explain later," Sam said.

"Okay, well, she just signed the paper, and nothing here says that only Jax can give blood. The three of us can, the more the better."