Hi everyone, thanks for the reviews. It's been a while, but I've been really busy. I also added a bit more to my other story, Where the Heart Lives. Time has picked up a bit, but Bree is still in the hospital. Jason and Sam are doing the best they can for their kids. Please comment/review. Thanks

It was now the end of May and it had been five weeks since Breanna Faith Morgan had made her entrance into the world. For Jason and Sam, it had been a rough 5 weeks. A week after their little angel was born, Sam was discharged from the hospital. She had prepared herself to leave without her tiny infant, but when the time came, she had difficulty. The doctors and nurses encouraged her to get as much rest as she could and to spend some time with her older daughter. They assured her that Bree would be in excellent care and that she could visit her whenever she wanted. Sam visited the NICU for several hours each day. She talked and sang to Bree and touched her tiny fingers. She couldn't wait for the day she would be able to hold her infant. There were a few times when her breathing had temporarily stopped or become irregular with the ventilator, which alarmed Sam and Jason. They knew their baby's lungs were very fragile and that every breath she was able to take, even with the ventilator was truly a miracle. When Sam couldn't sleep at night, she'd visit her daughter in the NICU.

Jason helped Sam to leave her baby in the hospital as they moved into a nearby condo temporarily. He stayed by Sam's side. Alexis would make the trip to Baltimore on Monday evenings and take Danni back to Port Charles for preschool until Thursday, when she would return her to be with Jason and Sam. Jason had additional guards put on Alexis when she had Danni. Even though Alexis questioned the guards, Jason said they were just a precaution. Jason hadn't told Sam what Spinelli had uncovered.

Danni had not asked to see Bree since that first night in the NICU and she told Jason that she was really scared of "the dark place." Sam and Jason didn't want to force her to visit the NICU if she wasn't ready. They decided to give their little girl time to adjust to all the changes in her life.

That Thursday afternoon, Sam sat by her daughter's incubator as she watched her fight for each breath. Tears came to her eyes as she watched her tiny baby struggle. Jason had gone out to make a call. Sam had tried to remain as strong as she could, but sitting there alone watching her daughter struggle to breathe, it was too much. She gently bent down as a tear fell on her baby's fingers. She kissed her fingers and prayed silently that her baby girl would be home with them soon. "Mommy loves you angel," she said before getting up and walking out of the room.

"Mrs. Morgan," Linda said as she noticed Sam walking quickly out of the NICU.

Sam didn't want the kind nurse to see her upset, but she didn't want to be rude, so she turned around to face the woman. Linda pulled Sam into a hug when she saw how upset she was.

"I'm sorry, today is just a rough day," Sam said as she pulled away through the tears.

"Bree is growing, she's gaining weight and all she needs is a little bit of time," Linda said to her.

"I know she's doing well, and this would be 30 weeks, so she needs more time, but I still worry about her," Sam explained.

"Well you're her Mom, you're allowed to worry, but remember you're human and sometimes we all need a break. Bree knows you love her even if you can't be here every moment of every day. She also doesn't expect you to be strong all the time, none of us do" Linda said.

"I'm just going to step out for a minute into the waiting area, I'll be back before I leave the hospital," Sam said as she smiled at Linda. Sam had grown to love the nurse who spent most of her time with Bree. She also found that she was very easy to talk to and genuinely a part of their extended family.

As Sam stepped out of the NICU corridor, she found Jason on the other side of the doors ready to be buzzed in. He immediately noticed her tear-stained cheeks and held out his arms. Sam settled into them. She placed her head against his chest as he stroked her hair. Jason's chin rested above Sam's head. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked as he held her in his arms.

"Hormones," Sam chuckled as she pulled away. "I don't know Jason. We've been blessed with two little girls and Bree is growing, it's just watching her struggle and fight for every breath. It just made me think about what could happen and it scares me more than anything," she said honestly.

Jason took Sam's hand and led her down the hall to an empty area where there was a bench. He sat down on the bench and pulled Sam into his lap. "Hey, I want you to know that I'm right here and we're going to be here for both of our little girls, no matter what," he said to her before kissing her forehead.

"I know that Jason, but I can't stop thinking about Bree in there fighting and poor Danni flying back and forth. Why does it always have to be so complicated?" she asked as she took his hand in hers and used her thumb and index finger to play with his wedding ring.

"We never did like things to be boring," Jason said smiling, "Look you've been here nonstop and you're exhausted. We have a few hours before Alexis will be here with Danni, let's try and relax," Jason suggested.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" Sam asked.

"I think that we can have an early dinner at the condo and Bree will be fine," Jason said.

Sam took a deep breath. "Ok, I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, let me go in and say goodbye and let Linda know where to find us."

Jason and Sam walked back into their daughter's room and said goodbye to her together. Linda reassured them that everything would be fine and that she would contact them if there were any changes. For the first time in a while, Sam felt a sense of peace as she walked out of the hospital holding Jason's hand. It was nice to be together even if for a few hours.

"I'm starving," Sam confessed.

"I asked if you wanted something from the hospital cafeteria," Jason said.

"I lied. Sorry," she answered.

"I was thinking maybe we could stop and pick up some Chinese," Jason suggested.

"You must have read my mind," Sam said. She was starting to feel more relaxed already.

Jason and Sam picked up some Chinese and walked back to their condo. Even though it was one floor, the condo reminded both of them of the Penthouse they shared before Jason went to Pentonville. While Sam got some napkins, Jason arranged the food on the coffee table.

"Just like old times," she said as she walked in to join him.

The couple enjoyed their dinner and Jason even caught Sam smiling a few times. When they had finished eating, Jason pulled Sam into his lap.

"I know this hasn't been easy since you've been in the hospital and then Bree was born and it's gotten more complicated having our family split up. You know I can't really picture things, but let's try for moment, close your eyes" he said as he turned his head to see that she had obliged.

"Ok here goes," Sam said with a laugh.

"Alright, let's pretend it's a year from now," he said.

"A year from now, let's pretend it's summer," Sam started, "I'd like to be on a beach,"

"In Hawaii," he added.

"Ok Hawaii. Danni is building a sandcastle with you Jason. Bree and I are sitting on a towel watching. Bree is giggling saying DaDa,"

"And you're looking so beautiful that I could~,"

"Stop Jase. Focus on the girls. Danni, being the stubborn little girl that she is gets frustrated with you, so I pass Bree on to you and go help Danni."

"I can see her doing that," Jason said.

"I guess it doesn't matter what we're doing. As long as we're enjoying the simple pleasures of life," she said opening her eyes to find Jason staring into her chocolaty brown eyes.

"Sam, I can't wait to do that with Bree and Danni and so much more, hang in there. It'll all be worth it," Jason said.

Sam turned in his lap. "How could I have been so lucky to marry you? You always know exactly what to say," she said as she turned her body and pressed him down to the floor. Sam was now on top of Jason and her lips came crashing down on his. As their lips met for a sensual kiss, Jason moved his hand down her body and under her shirt. His hands roamed to her breasts. He loved how full they were, especially since she was breastfeeding. They were so sensitive, it caused Sam to moan. His lips moved to her neck and both throbbed with need as she cried out, "Mmm Jason." Sam could feel Jason's erection pressing against her stomach as he continued to massage her breasts. She reached down and touched her through his jeans and he let out a husky growl. She then unbuttoned his jeans and began to unzip them. It had been months since they had been able to make love. Even if the couple had been able to find some alone time, it was still too soon after the c-section. It felt so good for both of them to be exploring one another.

Unexpectedly, they heard the key in the door. Shockingly for them, the door opened and Sam and Jason sat up quickly. Sam's hair was a mess and Jason had managed to unclasp her bra, so her breasts were loose. Jason zipped and buttoned his pants as they turned to face the door.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Danni exclaimed as the innocent little girl quickly came in unaware of what her parents had been doing.

"Hello," Alexis said in her mom voice as Sam rolled her eyes a bit.

"Hi Princess," Jason said, as his daughter walked over to where he and Sam were now seated on the floor. He shoved Sam's bra under the couch and felt like a teenager having been caught by his parents. He and Sam were adults, but they always seemed to be interrupted.

"Hey baby girl, we missed you sooooo much. We're glad you're here early," she said as she pulled Danni into her lap and started streaming kisses over her face and neck.

"Me and Nana wanted to surprise you at the hospital," Danni said.

"Nana and I," Alexis corrected.

"Yes. Nana and I. Mommy I'm ready to see Bree again," Danni said excitedly.

Jason and Sam exchanged glances with one another.

"You are? That's great," Jason said in a questionable voice as Danni easily moved from Sam's lap to his.

"I need to go see Bree," Danni explained to Jason.

Sam exchanged glances with her mother. Alexis had a confused look on her face as she mouthed, "wait until you hear why." Sam looked into her daughter's blue eyes as she brushed her brunette hair out of her face, "Danni, why do you need to go see Bree?"

"Mommy she has to get this," Danni said as she got up and went to her bag. She pulled out what looked like a card. Sam thought it was so sweet that Danni had made a card for her baby sister.

"It's for you, Daddy, and Bree," the little girl explained.

Sam saw the card was in an envelope. Her daughter handed it to her and asked her to open it first. On the outside of the card, there were kids that Danni had colored. It said Mommy, Daddy, and Bree on the front. Sam opened the inside and she started to cry as she realized what her daughter had made in school. "Baby this is beautiful," she said.

"So can you all come?" she asked. "Mommy I want my whole family there."

"What is she talking about?" Jason asked.

It took a moment, but Sam pulled herself together. "Well it seems we have ourselves a graduate," she explained.

"We do?" Jason said questionably.

"Next Sunday is my preschool graduation. I get to wear a special hat and a gown. I need a pretty dress too. Can you and Mommy and Bree come?" she asked as she looked into Jason's eyes.

Alexis stood there feeling as if she was interrupting a moment more intimate than her daughter and Jason when she and Danni walked in. She walked through the living room and back to the bedroom where Danni was sleeping so that she could unpack the girl's bag. As a mother, she knew this was going to be so hard for Sam. Alexis didn't know what Sam would do. It was an important day for her big girl, but Sam's little tiny girl needed her so much. "It's just not fair to them," she mumbled to herself as she unpacked the clothing Danni had in her bag.

After her mom had walked out, Sam hesitated trying to find the words. It was Jason who spoke first. "Danni, we love you so very much and we are so proud of you. We want our whole family to be there. Bree will still be in the hospital, but we'll take lots of pictures," Jason tried to reassure his daughter as he looked over at his wife who was unsure how to respond. The hospital was so far away from their home. She didn't want to leave Bree, but she didn't want to let Danni down either. Jason knew exactly what Sam was thinking. Sam had been the one that hadn't missed one single moment of Danni's life. While Jason was in prison, she devoted every minute of every day to that little girl, but now they had two little girls to think about.

Then the words that Sam spoke shocked Jason. But Sam thought about the woman who had given her strength at the hospital earlier that day. "Danni, your Daddy and I would LOVE to be there," she said with a smile on her face.

They both sandwiched Danni in between them for a hug. Jason and Sam paused for a kiss. As they pulled away Sam looked into Jason's eyes knowing that she had surprised him with her answer. "Why don't you go check on Nana?" Sam said. "I'll bet she wants to visit Bree before she heads back to Port Charles."

"You amaze me," Jason said as he looked into Sam's brown eyes.

"With that answer, I amazed myself. I just couldn't say no to her, then I thought about Linda and something she said today and I knew I had to be there for Danni," Sam said.

"We'll make it work," Jason said as he stood up and then reached down to pull Sam up.

"Jase- do you think Danni really is ready to visit the NICU again?" Sam asked.

"I don't think we should push her, but if she's ready we should take her," he said.

Alexis and Danni walked out of the bedroom together. Jason was starting to clean up the Chinese boxes.

"Hey Danni, would you like something to eat and then maybe go see your sister?" he asked.

"Yes Daddy, but you and mommy are silly you're supposed to eat at the table," she said.

"You're right Danni, why don't you and Daddy take the food into the kitchen so you can eat and we can head over to the hospital," Sam said, "Mom do you want any Chinese?"

"No thanks," Alexis answered.

After Jason and Danni walked out of the room, Alexis pulled Sam into a hug.

"Honey, how are you really doing?" Alexis asked.

"Mom, I really don't know. My emotions are all over the place. I had to get out of the NICU today and I feel guilty, but I think it helped a bit. I love Bree and I want to be there for her, but Danni needs me too. We'll go to her graduation," Sam said.

"Honey, you're a great Mom and sometimes Moms need a break too. I'm just sorry we interrupted you and Jason, you guys probably haven't had much alone time lately," Alexis said.

"No, our alone time has been pretty non-existent, but it was worth it to see Danni," Sam explained as she bent down and retrieved her bra from under the couch and hid it under her shirt. Her mother knew exactly what she was doing. "Let me go freshen up, so we can head to the hospital," Sam said.

Alexis chuckled. "Sam you're a grown woman and just because you're a mom doesn't mean you don't have other needs. I'm going to head on over to visit the NICU and I'll see you all there in a few."

"Thanks Mom for everything. We love you," Sam said.

At the hospital, Alexis visited her granddaughter first so that Jason and Sam would have some time alone to prepare Danni. Alexis also needed to get back to Port Charles. There was a lot going on that Jason and Sam didn't know about and Alexis hoped they could keep it from them while they visited briefly for Danni's graduation.

When Jason and Sam arrived at the hospital, they knew Alexis was already in Bree's room and that with them too there would be too many people, but they didn't think it would matter just this time. The nurses and staff had gotten to know them and were actually pretty flexible. They walked down the hallway. Jason was carrying Danni in his arms and holding Sam's hand. They stopped to "scrub in." Danni was trying her best to be brave as Sam scrubbed her fingernails and helped her to put on a mask. "We don't want your sister to get any germs that may make her sick," Sam explained.

"Mommy, when will Bree get to leave the hospital?" Danni asked.

"I don't know sweetie. Bree is getting stronger every day and hopefully by this summer she'll be ready to come home," Sam hoped her words were truthfully what would happened. She knew her baby was making progress on every milestone and prayed it wouldn't be too long.

Jason was pretty quiet as he watched his wife and his daughter. He couldn't stop staring at Sam and smiling. He was grateful for everything they had in their lives and knew that he would stop at nothing to keep his family safe. There hadn't been any immediate threats, but in the last five weeks, Jason had really tuned everyone, even Carly, out to focus on Sam, Danni, and Bree. It felt pretty good. He smiled as they walked over to the doors to be buzzed in.

"Danni, when we go in, Bree is still going to be in a dark room. There are lots of wires to help her, but don't be afraid. Daddy and I are with you," Sam explained as she held her daughter's hand over the gloves.

"I know Mommy," the little girl said simply causing Sam to look at Jason with a smile. She felt so blessed to have Jason and her little girls.

When they got to Bree's room, they found Alexis talking to her. She was telling Bree how much everyone in the family wanted to meet her. "She's really growing," Alexis said to Sam as they walked in.

"Yes, she is Mom. She's almost 3 pounds already," Sam said, "As soon as her lungs are developed and she's off the ventilator, we'll be able to hold her."

While Alexis was talking to Sam, Jason knelt down next to Danni as they stood away from Bree's incubator. "I bet if you look really close, Bree's smiling because she knows her big sister is here," Jason said.

"Really?" Danni asked.

"Sure. Even if she can't talk yet, we know she's been waiting to see you again," Jason explained.

Sam had been partially listening to Danni and Jason as she was speaking to Alexis. She walked over and knelt down next to Danni, who was still standing pretty far away from Bree. "I'll bet Bree's been wondering about you. She likes when Daddy and I visit her, but she really wanted her big sister," she explained.

Alexis knew that this was a moment that Jason and Sam probably wanted to share privately with their daughter, so she said goodbye and gave hugs and kisses and she left. She had a little over a week to figure out how she was going to get things together in Port Charles, so Jason and Sam didn't have more to worry about.

Sam pulled a stool up to the incubator and asked Danni if she wanted to sit. At first, she said no, but after a while she warmed up. Jason and Sam were very honest with their four year old and answered all of her many questions. Danni even talked to Bree and told her all about her upcoming preschool graduation and how she wished Bree was big enough to come. Before they left the room, Danni had touched Bree's fingers and that pleased Jason and Sam. After they had all said good night to Bree, they walked out of the NICU.

"Danni, you are such a big girl. We are so proud of you," Sam said.

"And I bet you made your little sister very happy," Jason said.

Danni grinned from ear to ear. "I was scared before, but not no more," she said.

Later that night, after Danni had gone to bed, Jason and Sam sat on the couch and discussed how they were going to get to Port Charles the following Sunday. After talking with Jason and realizing that she couldn't do everything, Sam reluctantly called Maxie.

"Hello," Maxie answered.

"Hey Maxie, it's Sam"

"Hi Sam, how's Breanna doing?"

"She's good, she's growing, but it'll just take time,"

"That's good. How are you holding up? Has Jason been there for you because Spinelli hasn't heard from him and he seems to not be returning calls."

Sam was a little shocked. She thought Jason had been in touch with people back home. "It's just been really busy. We're trying to visit the baby and keep life normal for Danni, which is actually why I called. I have a favor."

"Anything Sam."

"Maxie, Danni is graduating from preschool next weekend and she needs a dress. It's been so long since I've been home, I don't think any of hers from last year will fit. Nothing too extravagant though. Do you think you could help find her one?"

"Absolutely. I'd love to! You know fashion is my expertise. I already have the perfect one in mind—" Maxie continued to ramble, but Sam cut her off.

"Thanks so much we really appreciate it. Jason and I are coming to Danni's graduation next Sunday, probably just for the day, we'd love to get our family and friends together afterwards to celebrate."

"Good Luck with that," Maxie said.

"What do you mean?" Sam asked in a concerned voice.

The blonde recalled the conversation she had with Alexis a few weeks prior. Alexis demanded Maxie not tell Sam and Jason about what was happening. "Oh, I just mean that everyone is so busy and life's crazy. Good Luck getting everyone together. Sam I gotta go, Kate needs me to finish these layouts ASAP. I'll get Danni a dress, ok,"

And with that Maxie ended the conversation and hung up the phone. "That was weird," she said to Jason.

"What?" he asked.

"Maxie said good luck getting everyone together and then she basically hung up when I asked her about it," Sam explained.

"That's Maxie. I'll never understand her," Jason said.

Sam chuckled, but she still knew something was off. She was too exhausted to deal with it tonight. Jason slid over closer to her on the couch and picked her up to move her onto his lap. She was sitting with her legs across his legs and he had one arm under her legs. He used the other hand to caress her face.

"It's been a long day and I think you're tired and we need some rest," he said as he lovingly stroked her cheek.

"I think I'd like that very much," she said as he bent down and his lips met hers.