And I've got this chapter up before my usual MONDAY! Give me props! Anyway this is the chapter where two very important people come back into Sam's life...

Disclaimer: Don't own anything but my own characters.

Chapter 4 Crossing State Boarders and Lives

Sam was utterly exhausted. She had just finished a double shift at P.F. Wangs and was now on her way home to pack her things for the plane ride in a couple of hours back to Seattle. Sam hadn't been able to concentrate throughout the entire week, especially today. Climbing the final stairs and opening the door, Sam turned to find Charlie asleep on her pink suitcase near the couch and Topher coloring on the carpet next to his own orange suitcase. Melanie stepped out of the hallway with a blanket in her arms and smiled at Sam.

"She just fell asleep. She thought she could make it until you came home," Melanie chuckled.

Sam smiled softly at the twins; Charlene Olivia Benson and Christopher Levi Benson. It was incredible how much they looked alike. Sometimes, Topher would have a certain look towards Sam and all she could see was Freddie; from his wavy brown hair to his chocolate brown eyes. Charlie had more blonde in her curls than brown with blue eyes, resembling Sam by a fraction. Sam recalled the picture Melanie had recently retrieved for her, which she had refused to show the twins. She was afraid that once they arrived to Seattle, Topher would question Freddie's presence in the picture and who he was to Sam; Topher was quite the observer rather than speaker unlike Charlie.

Packing her things was more of a background objective Sam did for the next hour. Her thoughts screamed at her imperiously.

*Flash Back*

Sam glanced at her phone. March 20 11:45 p.m. her phone read. She grabbed it and opened her contacts list. Sliding precariously down the list, she stopped at a name; FREDWARD BENSON. Her thumb trembled over the name and with a twitch; his info covered her entire screen. The buttons read: CALL, TEXT, PICTURE MAIL, EMAIL. Clicking the HOME button, Sam threw her phone on her bed and began to get ready for bed.

Slipping in to bed, she reread the text that she had received earlier that day.

FROM: CARLY SHAY

HEEEY SAMMY! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU, MELANIE, TOPHER, AND CHARLIE NEXT WEEK! I'M SUPER EXCITED TO FINALLY MEET MINI BENSONS IN PERSON! ANYWAY, I WAS SENDING YOU A TEXT THAT CONFIRMS THAT FREDDIE SAID HE IS COMING TO MY WEDDING. HOPE YOU DON'T FLAKE ON ME LAST MINUTE. YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND AND YOU ARE STRONGER THAN THIS. LOVE YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

*End Flash Back*

There was no turning back. Tonight was the night the four left to Seattle, somewhere Sam had no plans on ever returning to. Of course the only reason she would go back was for Carly. Carly meant the world to Sam, they were best friends.

She never realized that she had been finished packing until there was a knock on the door. Sam turned around, staring anxiously. Seeing that it was Melanie, Sam exhaled.

"Are you ready to go Sam? I've got Charlie and Topher's backpacks filled with things they can each do for their carry-on and I've got mine filled with snacks for us to munch on during the ride. I've already woken Charlie up and she's dressed in her pajamas with Wombi and Topher's got Louis," Melanie reported.

"Let me close my suitcase and we can head out of here," Sam smiled. Melanie nodded and left the room.

Sam couldn't believe she was doing this again. After 5 years of running away, she was coming back home. She hadn't spoken to her mother since she left. What would she think? What would Spencer say when she showed up to the Shay residence with children? Would they notice by the age? Sam's head buzzed with different questions, trying to talk her out of going. She couldn't turn around anymore. That opportunity had flown out the window once Sam called Carly accepting the invitation.

Sam sighed and zipped her suitcase close. Rolling it out, she grabbed a smaller suitcase she had packed earlier and picked up her keys from the kitchen table; locking the door behind her. "It's now or never," Sam thought as she pulled her belongings out of the building and towards her parked car.

OxOxOxOxOxOxOx

"Charlene Olivia, I told you to sit down," Sam scolded the young girl next to her. Sam sat on the aisle seat, while Charlie sat next to the window. Melanie sat a couple of rows behind them with Topher. Melanie sat with her headphones in her ears and a thick book open across her lap. Next to her sat Topher coloring in the same book he held earlier. Melanie quickly highlighted several passages in the book while keeping beat with her feet.

Sam heavily sighed as Charlie huffed in annoyance. "But Mommy, I want to see the pretty clouds! Look! That one looks like a bunny!" Charlie pointed, bouncing in her seat.

"I told you to sit down in your seat. Close the window. It's bothering the other passengers," Sam grumbled.

Charlie furrowed her brow and frowned. Grabbing her stuffed giraffe that had fallen off her lap, she crossed her small arms and hmph-ed. "You're no fun, mommy."

"I'm sorry, Charlie. Mommy's really tired," Sam reached towards her feet and pulled her bag to her lap. Charlie sat up straight once she saw the bag. Sam pulled out a thin book. "Here, why don't we get some reading done? You can impress your teacher when you get back to school and show her how much you've read!" Sam smiled.

Charlie's face lit up once she saw the book. It was her favorite book to read. She had read it many times with Sam and now that she was in school, she could read it by herself. Charlie nodded in glee and Sam handed her the book. Opening it across her lap, with her stuffed giraffe, Charlie held a concentrated expression while she read.

Sam sighed in relief. If there was one thing that could quiet down her daughter, it was reading a book. Sam knew there was no doubt Charlie was Freddie's daughter; she had inherited his love of literature. Laughing softly, Sam pulled a book out for herself and began to do some light reading, until she fell into a deep slumber.

"Sam…I know what you've done," the deep voice growled. She could tell his voice had deepened since the last time she saw him. Those beautiful brown eyes she dreamed of every night pierced her soul.

"Lies," she lashed out at him. He smirked at her, that once gentle, teasing smirk, glowing maliciously.

She could feel it in her, her stomach pains. Grabbing her sides, she kneeled over, bending at the ache. Screams, she could hear glass shattering shrieks. Loosening her grip on her sides, she lifted a hand to see blood. She was bleeding. Raising her crouched body, she watched as the blood curled around her thighs and pooled at her feet. Violently, she thrashed around; looking for him again; anything that gave her some form of comfort. He was nowhere to be found, yet she could tell he was there. The feeling of something pushing out of her had her body laying, sweating, and panting. It sort of plopped out of her as she lay in her own pool of blood.

She was on a white bed, clutching the sheets. He was looming over her, the same evil smirk plastered on his familiar face. "What are you doing to me?" She whispered.

"I know what you did…now it's time you faced the consequences," his voice dripped spite. Behind him, Charlie and Topher slept in Sam's bed, peacefully. Charlie wore a white satin dress and Topher wore a pearl like shirt and shorts. A bright angelic glow bounded from both small children's bodies.

She could feel herself screaming the kid's names. They both continued to sleep peacefully as he walked towards her. She tried to move, but her body was strapped tightly to the bed in constraints. She let out a blood curdling scream.

Sam's eyes shot open; a sheen layer of sweat lingered on her forehead and chest. Her chest heaved from the nightmare. Quickly, she turned to face her daughter. Charlie had read quiet an amount of her book and had closed it, letting it rest on her lap as she hugged her stuffed giraffe and slept peacefully. Sam could feel her heart beat slow down at the picture of her daughter. The book Sam had been reading had fallen off her lap and slid under the passenger's seat ahead of her. Turning in her seat, she spotted Topher gleefully eating some gummy snacks Melanie had packed for them while watching a video on Melanie's phone.

"Passengers the light for the seatbelts has been activated. Please be prepared to face turbulence as we will be landing in about twenty minutes. Thank you," Sam heard, what she assumed to be, the Pilot's voice over the intercom.

She made sure Charlie's been still tightly set and rechecked hers as well.

OxOxOxOxOxOxOx

"Mommy, why do I have to change in the bathroom?" Charlie whined at Sam. They had landed a little while ago and Melanie had gone to catch the luggage with Topher while Sam had taken Charlie to the closest Women's bathroom to freshen up.

"Do you want Aunt Carly to see you in your PJ's or do you want her to see you dressed all pretty?" Sam asked the younger girl, while putting her hands on her hips.

Charlie pretended to think about it. Her eyes lit up brightly as she practically screamed out, "All pretty like Princess Charlie!"

Sam watched as Charlie giggled. Pulling out a purple pull over and long jeans, Sam helped Charlie out of her crinkled clothes and into something more proper for Seattle weather. Sam quickly brushed Charlie's hair, pulling it in two long braids down the small child's back, Charlie never complaining as Sam tugged at her tangled curls. Smiling, Sam unlatched the stall and let Charlie and herself out.

Charlie quickly bounced towards the full length mirror and smiled at reflection. Sam reached a hand out for her daughter, with the small backpack of things over her shoulder. Charlie ran over to Sam and the girls excited the spacious bathroom.

They quickly spotted Melanie and Topher across the tiled room with all three bags next to Melanie in a heap. Smiling, Sam noticed Melanie conversing with a tall, lean brunette and Topher standing near Melanie's legs. Tugging Charlie along a bit faster, Melanie spotted them over the brunette's shoulders and pointed towards them.

Sam watched as the brunette slowly turned with a bright smile. The girl squealed and ran towards them, Melanie laughed behind her. Charlie, stunned, let go of Sam's hand and gripped Sam's thigh. "Sam!" the brunette screamed.

Sam smiled wide, letting the brunette hug her fiercely. Sam returned the hug just as hard as she felt tears threaten to spill. Burying her face in the brunette's taller shoulder, Sam inhaled a sharp gasp holding the tears down.

The two girls separated with teary eyes. Sam watched the girl choke down her own sobs as she smiled big at her. "Carly, I missed you," Sam spoke through a cracking voice.

Carly gave a raspy laugh. Wiping her tears, she spoke roughly, "I thought I would never see my best friend again. Phone calls were not enough for me, Sam."

Sam laughed at her friend's words. "I've been busy, Carls."

Carly laughed at the statement. "Yeah, busy raising twins! I met little Topher here but where is the other one anyway?"

Melanie had reached the friends and Charlie had run over to her, clutching her legs as well. Sam glanced over Carly's shoulder and saw her daughter's unusual shy exterior. Carly turned and looked at Melanie's legs. Smiling, Carly took a step towards the small girl.

"Charlie, this is Aunt Carly," Sam spoke softly at the trembling girl.

Charlie loosened her grip on Melanie's thighs and extended her hand out. Carly took her small hand and shook it, "Nice to meet you, Charlie."

"Nice to meet you too, Aunt Carly," Charlie whispered. Carly softly laughed and put her hands on her hips. Charlie just stared, mesmerized, at Carly's clothing. Carly wore a blue and gray loose long sleeved cashmere button up that ended above her navel with dark ripped skinny jeans and black high tops converse; her long black curls in a high ponytail. "You're pretty, Aunt Carly," Charlie spoke quickly.

Sam and Carly had been discussing about how far the hotel was to Bushwell Plaza when Charlie had spoke up suddenly. It caught Carly off guard, pink dusting her cheeks. Kneeling down, Carly smiled shyly. "Thank you very much, Charlie. You're very beautiful yourself."

Charlie smiled shyly at Carly and thanked her. Extending her arm, Charlie quickly grabbed Carly's hand and smiled at the brunette. Topher had silently watched the females act and lifted his hand to hold onto his mother's. The girls and Topher began walking towards the parking lot; bags in tow.

"The hotel should only be a block away from the apartment. I'm positive I drove by it on my way here. I'll help you get settled in and Sam, you could help me retrieve the final things for the wedding," Carly bounced with glee.

Sam glanced down at her choice of clothing. She hadn't changed in the bathroom; Charlie being her main priority. Sam had on a pair of tight Yoga pants and a loose white Galaxy Wars t-shirt with an unzipped teal North face; her usual curls in a loose braid down her back and black boots adorning her warm feet. Melanie had worn a similar outfit but had worn a red hoodie with their University's mascot on the front and her hair was loose around her shoulders. Topher had insisted he wear his favorite long sleeved sky blue t-shirt and gray sweat pants. Sam had packed a sweater in Topher's backpack in case he was still chilly, even with his long sleeved shirt.

As they stepped outside of the warm airport, Charlie shuttered. "Brrr! Momma, it's a lot colder here than California!" Topher only grew closer to Sam's legs.

The older women laughed as they made their way towards Carly's car.

OxOxOxOxOxO

A couple of hours after they had settled in the hotel, Melanie, Charlie, and Topher went to spend a couple of hours at the Shay's apartment. Spencer was spending the day at Socko's and Carly's fiancé was working at the local emergency room. After Carly and Sam had finished all their errands, catching up on all the drama they hadn't been able to talk about over the phone, the girls returned to the Shay's in merriment. Melanie then walked back to the hotel with Topher, Charlie, and Sam for the night.

It went on like that for the next two days. Sam wondered why she had not come back sooner to visit her old friend when he arrived at the hotel that fateful afternoon.

The weather was trying, in vain, to become warmer, but Sam had decided safely on a pair of dark faded skinny jeans, a bright red graphic t-shirt and her old black leather jacket. Charlie and Topher were with Melanie in the room getting ready, but Sam had received a text from Carly that she needed her over for an emergency. Sam was tinkling with her Android as the elevator doors opened slowly. Not bothering to look up as she exited, she heard a familiar voice. Her ears perked at his voice.

"Circled on the enclosed envelope is your room key along with the number. If you need anything, please feel free to call us up front," The clerk's voice beamed.

"Thank-you very much," the deep voice was too familiar not to recognize in an instance. Sam had heard it most of her life, it called out to her through her dreams, and as she heard it, her heart ached. She was too afraid to look up from her phone, but she realized she was frozen at the entrance of the elevators. She could hear the wheels on his luggage creak and screech on the polished tiled floor. She could feel her heart pounding through her chest and thundering in her ears.

Slowly locking her phone, she glanced up. He was turning at the moment, looking down at the opened envelope. Quickly looking up to watch where he was walking, he saw her. She looked as surprised as he felt.

Sam quickly recognized the outfit he wore and smiled softly at him. He was in an old brown jacket, light blue polo and dark jeans. His hair was still in its usual neat manner but he had grown half a foot taller. His body was still in shape, she noticed.

They stood there, facing each other and taking it all in; not wanting to move. She took a step forward as she heard him whisper through a shaky voice, "Sam."

He took a step to meet her and thought against it as he rammed himself in her body, molding her. He wrapped his arms around her small frame and clutched tightly around her. She wrapped her arms around his torso and buried her face in his chest, taking in his scent. They stood there for a couple of seconds, not wanting the moment to end.

Sam suddenly remembered Charlie and Topher upstairs with Melanie. She pushed herself off of him with a frightened look. He looked down at her, startled at her sudden change of mood.

"Freddie…I have to go," Sam said quickly, taking a step back from him.

Freddie, confused, stared at her, "Why?"

Sam shook her head, "I'll see you later."

Stunned, Freddie blurted out, "Will I see you later? You have a knack of disappearing on me for years, Sammy."

Sam felt her ears burn, "Whatever." She turned on her heels and ran out of the lobby doors. She didn't stop until she had reached Bushwell Plaza and skipped up the stairs. Knocking ferociously on the door, Sam tried to catch her breath.

Carly opened the door, still in her overly large Men's blue long sleeve button up and small grey shorts. Her hair was in curlers and Carly looked frazzled. Sam ran through the door and slammed the door shut behind her.

"Sam…what's wrong?" Carly spoke quickly.

"You didn't tell me he was arriving today!" Sam shrieked.

"Sam calm down! Who came today?" Carly said frantically.

"Freddie! Freddie Fucking Benson is staying at the same hotel as me and the twins! When were you planning on telling me?!" Sam cried out, tears threatening to spill.

Carly intertwined her fingers in Sam's and tugged her towards the couch. Sitting Sam down, Carly went to the kitchen and grabbed two mugs of tea. Offering Sam the second one, Sam thankfully accepted and sipped, trying to control her emotions.

Carly sat down across from her, crossing her legs; Sam mirrored Carly on the couch. Sighing deeply, Carly started, "I knew you wouldn't want to come if I told you he would be staying at the same building as you. How much did you two stay in contact over the past four years?"

The door opened behind them as Charlie ran over to Sam. "Mommy, look at how Aunt Melanie did my hair! It looks like a mermaid's tail!"

Sam smiled at her daughter. "That looks beautiful, baby." Charlie smiled as she, Melanie, and Topher walked in the apartment, silently shutting the door behind them. Charlie continued to animatedly tell Sam how Aunt Melanie had done her hair while Topher sat patiently in the large single couch. Melanie had walked to the island and opened a few books and began to study. Carly watched as Charlie kept talking to Sam. Sam glanced over at her best friend and shook her head in disapproval with a frown on her lips. Carly sighed in defeat. Topher never missed a single glance the two friends shared.

So a lot of people have been following this story but no reviews. I just want to thank those who have followed but I would love to hear from you all with your honest opinions! What don't you like, what you would like more off, what you loved! I'll see you all soon!