Chapter 6

Aubrey sat on her couch long after Nick left. She waited for tears that would inevitably to come. They didn't. She really had seen this coming, Sam being Nick's son was just the catalyst he needed to end things. But if not for this news, it would have been something else. She had really tried to stick with this relationship. She was obsessive about it because of her tendencies to run just like her dad. Aubrey realized today that sometimes it was okay to walk away, if you did it the right way and with care. Her thoughts turned to Ronnie. Goofy Ronnie Garrett? No way. How weird would that be? Sure he was cute, but, he was Nick's brother. She laughed out loud and caught herself self-consciously. She remembered she was alone, so she laughed again. Ronnie, that was just plain weird. Wasn't it?

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As Nick drove home, he was relieved Aubrey didn't seem too devastated over the break-up. Although, admittedly, his ego wished she was a little sadder to let him go. He was anxious to get home and talk to the Commander, but at this point he wondered if he should just wait till the morning. His dad was still recovering from his chemo and even though his last round had been a month ago, he still seemed weak and tired all the time. Looking at him always made Nick afraid that he would lose him just like he lost his mother. Sometimes he felt like getting in his car and leaving just to get away from it all. But he stayed, even though it was the hardest thing to do, he stayed. People were depending on him to be in the Ridge and that was where he would be even if it killed him. Now he had Sam to consider and knowing he had a son, he could never walk away from that.

Opening the front door, he glanced at the clock on the wall as it chimed 11 o'clock. Well, he'd wait till the morning. Just as he was about to walk up the stairs, he heard a noise in the kitchen. Figuring it was Ronnie up for a snack; he went towards the kitchen and was surprised to see his dad and Leslie sitting at the counter drinking milk and eating some homemade cookies. As it so happens, Leslie turned out to be a fine cook, something the Garrett men had been benefiting from for months now. Once she found out his dad was sick, she stepped in and just sort of took over the house. It was a good thing, and he thought not only did he and Ronnie like it, so did his Dad.

"Nicky! Just getting in?" The Commander looked well tonight as he always seemed to have a little more lift to his step when Leslie was around. He was smiling and his color was good. Leslie had her nightgown and robe on so she must be spending the night again. Nick wondered why they just didn't just get married and make it official. It was weird seeing his dad "shacking up." He loved Leslie and loved that she made his father happy. He also admired the fact that she stayed by his side through his entire illness.

"Yeah Dad, how you feeling tonight?" Nick walked over and gave the Commander a kiss on top of the head as was his habit of late. He walked around and gave Leslie a peck on the cheek. She could never replace his mother, but she fit here and he was staring to beleive things would feel wrong if she weren't around. He grabbed a cookie from the plate and took a bite; he needed a moment to savor the party that was currently going on in his mouth.

"Fair to good Nicky. I'm getting my strength up and hoping to be able to start working again soon." He had a determined and stubborn look on his face. Leslie turned to him and put her hand on his face and glared at him.

"No Robert. The doctor said you can't rush your recovery. You will wait for your two months of leave to run out and then you may consider going back to work. With the doctors approval of course! Not a moment sooner sweetheart." The Commander gave her a look; it was so tender and grateful that Nick was embarrassed to have witnessed it. It made his stomach tighten for just a minute. Yeah, the Commander was in love and probably going to get remarried. Nick reminded himself that he was okay with it, that Ma would be okay with it.

Clearing his throat, the Commander looked at Nick, "So Nicky, what goes on? You look like you got something on your mind?"

"Yeah Dad, I do. I got some news today and it kinda threw me for a loop. It's good news but it's still.. well, it's a big deal." Robert's throat started to close up. If Nicky was leaving again, he didn't think he could handle it. It's all well and good to let your children leave the nest, but it was so nice having his boys at home, together, like a family should be. Sensing his worry, Leslie snaked her hand into his under the counter and squeezed a little, to let him know she understood.

"Well, for God's sake son, what is it? You're killin' me here!"

"Oh, sorry! Uhm, I found out today that Sam is my son."

"Nicky, this again? Hannah told you he wasn't…" Nick cut him off.

"Well today, Hannah told me he was. She admitted to lying to me about it." An angry look crossed over the Commander's face, Nick rushed on, "She was scared Dad. Scared I'd leave again, scared I'd screw it all up again. So she did what any mother would do, she protected her son from something she thought could harm him. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with it, but her heart was in the right place."

"Well, congratulations Nick! That's wonderful news, and Sam is such a special little boy. I see a lot of you in him." Leslie was off her feet and hugging him in an instant. The Commander just sat there, absorbing it all. He finally spoke.

"So, that's it huh? I'm a grandfather?" He smiled, it was a deep down happy smile. The Commander didn't think he could have gotten better news today. "Well snippity loo Nicky! Another Garrett man joins the fold!" He got up from his bar stool and walked around the counter to Nick grabbing him into a bear hug. He had happy tears in his eyes and the strength in his arms was far from weak and recovering.

"Dad, I know I screwed things up when I left almost eleven years ago, but I'm going to try my hardest to make it up to Sam. If you ever taught me anything, it's how to be a good father. I'll just need lots of advice I think…will you help me Dad? I'm kinda freaking out. I'm happy, but, I'm freaking out!" He looked at his father, grateful not to see disappointment, but pride.

"Nick, when something happens, and you need help, I'm always here for you son. Always." The Commander kissed his son on the top of the head, much as Nick had done when he first came home. He held him in his arms for what seemed like an eternity. This is what it's all about, he thought to himself. Life can throw you some rotten turns of luck, but sometimes, it can send such happiness your way, you might just burst from it.

All cried out and feeling a little foolish, the Commander let go of Nick and cleared his throat again. Leslie, looked off in another direction giving him a moment to compose himself. God he loved this woman. She always seemed to anticipate what he needed. To be so blessed to have found that in a partner twice in one lifetime; it was all so amazing.

"So, there's more news." Nick looks over at his dad and Leslie and starts to laugh.

"What's that Nick?" Leslie, looked curious and starting smiling back at him, it was infectious.

"Eddie and Janet are engaged."

"Ooooooh, I knew it! That kiss in Sully's almost a year ago still has me reeling in delight. I saw the love there even before they did! That's wonderful!" Leslie was beaming like most women did when they heard there would be a wedding.

"Well that's damn fine news son. Eddie couldn't have chosen a better woman to settle down with."

Nick had to admit his dad was right.

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Sam woke up to the sun shining in his eyes. He turned to look out the window; it looked like it would be a beautiful day. He wondered if Doodie was up for a ride around the neighborhood and maybe some catch in the park. But the bigger question on his mind was would his mother finally tell him the truth about his dad?

"Hey Ma!" Sam walked into the kitchen ten minutes later, dressed and ready to go out for the day. It was already past 10 and he had lots of things planned for the day. Hannah was sitting at the table drinking her morning coffee. Sam graced her with a rare gift; he hugged and kissed her good morning. Grabbing a banana and a glass of milk he sat down with her.

"Wow, what was that for?" Hannah couldn't help but smile, despite her worry about the day to come. Today she would tell her son that his father wasn't Gavin and that it was Nick. She would have to tell him she lied to him and see that look of disappointment on his face when he realized that she didn't always do the right thing.

"Just looked like you needed it. So, do you mind if I hang out with Doodie today? I cleaned up my room on Thursday and I don't have that much homework to do. It just looks like it's gonna be a nice day and I don't wanna miss it? Oh, and I promise to do my homework tonight!" Sam gave her the sweet angelic face he always used when trying to get his way.

"Oh, that's fine Sam, but I need you to come home for lunch at about 12:30, okay? We have some things to talk about." Sam considered asking her about it right then and there, but decided to wait. She looked really nervous and scared and he wanted her to do it on her time. He could wait another couple of hours.

"Okay Ma, but can we make it one? It's already after 10."

"Sure Rockstar, one o'clock. Okay? And uh, have Doodie go to his own house for lunch today baby, it's private, okay?"

"Okay Ma, I love you." Sam graced her with another kiss and was out the door before she could yell at him to get his helmet. She knew he would wear it, but she always tried to remind him anyway. Just then, she heard her cell phone ringing, it was Nick.

"Hey, good morning." Well it was real now. Nick was calling she was sure about having that talk with Sam.

"Hey Hannah. Morning. How…uhm...how did it go last night? With Big Cat?"

"It went. Not so great, he's gone. I betrayed a trust and I hurt him so badly. I don't think he'll ever forgive me." Hannah started tearing up and was trying hard for composure. Nick was secretly glad for the news, but he felt bad that Hannah was feeling bad about it.

"Hey, we all make mistakes. Forgiveness is a gift that not everyone has. Sometimes time helps heal all wounds. Wouldn't you say Hannah? I mean, I think you and I are healing a bit. If Ray is a smart man, time will make his see the wonderful treasure that you are. That you made a mistake." Thinking more of the two of them, hoping it wouldn't work out with her and Big Cat, Nick continued, "If you and Big Cat are meant for each other, I'm sure it will work itself out." Hoping like hell that wasn't the case, Nick fell silent.

"Thanks Nick. I just don't know what's mean to be right now." She paused, digesting his words, sighed and continued, "What I do know is that Sam will be back home for our talk around one o'clock, can you make that?"

"Hannah, there is no place I'd rather be."