Okay. Thanks for the reviews. This chapter turned out to be a little longer than expected. Some of the questions from the last chapter are answered. A note is that Maxie and Spinelli are still together, but they aren't married.
Their Thursday to Monday weekend family time went rather quickly. Danni had visited Bree in the NICU for a little while every day, usually with Sam but sometimes with Sam and Jason. Sam loved how Jason would go the hospital for time alone with Bree too. It was magical to see him with both of their girls. Bree was maintaining her breathing with the ventilator and it had been almost a week since she had any scares or incidents where she stopped breathing. Linda, the nurse, told them it would only be a few days until she could be out of the incubator for periods of time. Sam knew that meant she would finally be able to hold her baby. Danni was very excited that she would soon be able to touch her baby sister outside of the incubator. Jason had tried to contact Spinelli to see what was happening in Port Charles, but Spinelli had not returned any of Jason's calls, which Jason found very strange. Alexis assured Sam that everything was fine. Sam wanted to ask about Kristina's potential pregnancy, but instead tried to get the truth out of Alexis indirectly. She had been unsuccessful. Jason and Sam had decided to continue to focus on their girls. They had a feeling something more was going on, but decided they could figure it out when they went to Port Charles for Danni's graduation from preschool.
Danni was getting very excited about her graduation and even more thrilled that her parents would both be attending. Sam was nervous about leaving Bree, so she had arranged for Robin and Patrick to bring Emma to the Inner Harbor. They agreed to stay in Jason and Sam's condo and visit Bree over the weekend. When Maxie suggested Robin and Patrick, Sam didn't think they would agree. Robin said she understood Sam's need to be with Danni and the need for someone to be close to Bree. Sam was pleased to know that someone they knew would be able to look out for their little girl. Jason and Sam were going to Port Charles Friday evening and then planning to come back to Maryland with Danni the following Monday. They both hoped this would be the last time Danni had to go back to Port Charles and longed for the day that all 4 of them could return to their home together.
That afternoon as they sat in Bree's room after reading a few books and singing some songs, Sam held Danni on her lap and stroked her hair as they watched Bree sleep.
"Mommy, can I tell you something?" the little girl asked.
"Absolutely Danni, you can tell me anything. Always," Sam said as she leaned around to look into her daughter's blue eyes.
"I'm glad that you're my Mommy and I think Bree is too," she said.
Sam's eyes started to well up as she grinned looking at her daughter. This moment was melting her heart. "Well thank you sweetheart. I'm sooooooo glad that I'm your mommy and Bree's mommy too," she told her daughter.
"Some Mommies aren't as good as you," Danni said.
"Oh really?" Sam asked. "Well, thank you." Sam wasn't really sure what had provoked her daughter into mentioning such a thing. She had never expected her four year old to be talking about other mothers and their children.
"I mean it Mommy. Nanna is a good Nanna, but she's not a nice mommy. She always yells at Aunt Krissy. Then Aunt Krissy yells back and says she hates her. It's not fun," Danni said rather bluntly as Sam was picturing arguments between Alexis and Kristina.
Sam sat there for a moment thinking about her daughter's perception of Kristina's obvious rebellion. "Well honey, I'm sorry that you have to watch or listen to that. Sometimes Mommies have to yell when their kids make bad choices. No matter what, mommies and daddies just want to keep their kids safe. I'll bet Aunt Krissy is not making good choices and Nanna is getting frustrated. It's sort of like when you don't pick up your toys or share them and I have to remind you."
"Ok," Danni said seeming content with Sam's answer. Sam was relieved. She really didn't want to have to get into the conversation about the stupid choices Kristina was making. After a pause, Danni continued, "Mommy I don't ever want to say I hate you." The little girl was playing with Sam's wedding and engagement ring. Danni loved the time she could spend with her mom, and with Bree in the hospital, the days she knew she had to leave were really difficult on her.
Sam could sense that Danni was starting to feel anxious about leaving again. Even though they had been doing it for nearly 6 weeks, it wasn't any easier on Sam or her little girl. "No matter where we are and what happens, I want you to know that I love you this much," Sam said as she stretched her arms out as far as she could, "and even when she yells, Nanna loves Aunt Krissy too." Sam reached down and kissed her daughter and held her tight in her arms. She had always imagined having a child with Jason, but moments like this confirmed that her children were truly a miracle.
"Mommy, will Bree ever get to play with toys?" Danni asked.
"She sure will. Soon she'll be doing all the things that you like to do," Sam said as she imagined both of her daughters playing together. She couldn't wait until Bree was out of the hospital and they could go home.
Linda walked in. "Hi there, just checking this little one's vitals," she explained. "It's good to see you again Danni."
"What do you say?" Sam whispered in her ear.
"Thank you. I used to be scared to visit Bree, but not anymore," Danni said.
"Well, I know it looks scary, but under all this stuff is your little sister," Linda said.
"I know and I think she likes it when I come," Danni said confidently.
"Are you kidding? She LOVES to see her big sister," Sam said as she strung kisses up and down her neck. "How is everything?" she asked Linda as she looked up from Danni.
"She's doing fantastic. Her vitals are good. I can hear her heart and lungs. She may even start to suck soon. She's almost able to swallow. And you know the three magic things a NICU baby needs to do are-"
"Breathe, suck, and swallow," Sam finished the nurse's sentence. Sam and Jason had spent some time in classes learning about what milestones their baby would need to tackle before going home. They were also learning how to care for their new infant out of the hospital. Sam was also secretly hoping that when Patrick and Robin arrived they would be able to see when General Hospital could safely initiate the responsibility for Bree's medical care.
"Good Job Mommy! Bree needs to breathe, suck, and swallow and she has to breathe without a ventibulator for 7 days to go home," Danni interjected.
"I think you've been spending too much time in the NICU. Let's say goodbye to your sister and get you out of here," she said.
Danni hopped off of Sam's lap and stood beside the incubator, it was still physically a little painful for Sam to lift her daughter since the c-section, but Danni and Sam had learned to improvise. Danni spoke softly to her little sister. "Ok Bree. Mommy and me are going to get Daddy, but we'll be back soon. I love you," she said as she kissed her fingers and then reached up and touched Bree's fingers mirroring something Sam often did.
"Linda, thank you for taking such good care of her. Jason and I are so thankful that Breanna has such excellent care," Sam said as she expressed her heartfelt thanks to the nurse assuming the majority of the daytime care of her baby. Sam didn't like depending on others, but both she and Jason needed the NICU staff to provide a high quality of care to their little one.
"It is my pleasure. I don't see anything too alarming, but tomorrow we are going to do some x-rays and other tests to check her heart and lungs. Can I assume Mr. Morgan will be in this evening?"
"You certainly know our routine," Sam said.
"It appears this little one does too," Linda said as she nodded over to Danni who stood near the incubator talking to Bree.
"I'm glad she's come around in these few days. I hope going home doesn't scare her away from the NICU," Sam explained.
"She got comfortable; it just took some extra time. You and Mr. Morgan are patient and supportive with her. That's all she needs," Linda explained as she walked out giving Sam some privacy to say goodbye to her daughter.
Sam bent down beside the incubator as she said goodbye to Bree and encouraged her to keep fighting to be big and strong. She then kissed her two fingers and touched Bree's tiny hand. She reached out for Danni's hand as she used her other hand to wipe the tears from her eyes, "Ready, baby girl?"
"Yes," Danni said simply.
"All right, let's get you out of here so you're ready when Nanna comes," Sam said as they walked out of the corridor.
"Only 3 more days of school!" Danni said excitedly.
"I know and then we get to watch you graduate and you'll be with us all the time," Sam explained.
"I can't wait!"
Once they were out of the hospital, Sam turned her phone on. Her text message alert went off several times and she noticed she also had a voice mail message. She checked her voice mail as she and Danni walked down the sidewalk. As she listened, she used her brows to make a confused look on her face. "That's strange," she said out loud.
"What's strange?" her inquisitive daughter asked.
"That was Nanna. She said she can't fly down here today, but wanted to know if she could send Miss Maxie instead," Sam explained.
"Miss Maxie is very cool," Danni said.
"That she is, but Nanna doesn't really talk to her too much," Sam said as she thought aloud. Sam called Jason as they continued to walk down the street.
"Hey there," he answered.
"Hey baby, where are you?" Sam asked.
"I'm stopping at the condo, but headed to the hospital, what's wrong?" He asked as he sensed the shock in her voice and worried about Bree.
"Nothing Jase. Bree is doing great. We actually just left the hospital and we're headed to the condo."
"I'll wait here for you. How's the munchkin?"
"She has been a great big sister," Sam said as she looked down and squeezed Danni's hand as they walked and Sam bit her bottom lip. She wasn't sure how to tell Jason about Maxie coming to pick up Danni.
"Good," he answered.
"Jason, there's something else."
"That doesn't sound good,"
"I got a call from my mom. She wants to send Maxie for Danni. Something's up."
"Did you get my texts, Sam?"
"I haven't read them yet."
"Well I texted you to explain that I'm sending Maxie and Spinelli on Sonny's jet, which wasn't easy."
"What do you mean? And how did you finally talk to Spinelli" Sam asked.
"I'll explain when you get here. Do you want me to cook something?"
"I'm fine, but Danni would love some mac and cheese," she said as she looked down and Danni shook her head up and down.
"She's already inherited your terrible eating habits,"
"I know. But she also has your good instincts Jase. See you soon. We love you," Sam said as she hung up the phone and put it in her pocket.
"All right Danni. We are going back to the condo to see Daddy and get you something to eat," Sam explained.
"Can I play before I have to leave?" she asked.
"Absolutely," Sam answered Danni feeling guilty about sending Danni back and forth so much.
Sam and Danni walked the rest of the way back to the condo. It was a lot of walking for the four year old, but Sam wasn't supposed to carry her. Danni didn't complain; she had gotten used to the walking. Danni liked when Jason was with them because he would lift her and give her a piggy back ride.
When Sam and Danni arrived back at the condo, Danni found Jason in the kitchen as Sam lingered behind in the living room reading her texts from Jason.
"Daddy!" Danni exclaimed as she walked up to Jason who was standing behind the stove stirring the mac and cheese.
"Hey princess," Jason said as he bent down to give her a hug and a kiss.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"You can, but you have to be really careful," he said as he pulled a stool up to the stove and handed her a wooden spoon. "You can stir the mac and cheese, but be careful because it is really hot."
Danni shook her head up and down to indicate that she understood Jason's directions.
"Where's your mommy?" he asked as he stood beside her carefully monitoring her and the stove.
Danni shrugged her shoulders. "She was right behind me."
"Hey Jase," Sam said as she walked in behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He pulled her hand up and kissed her fingers gently.
"I missed you. What's new?" he asked.
"Well Bree had a great day. They need to run some tests tomorrow on her heart and lungs. She's still learning to breathe, suck, and swallow. But I read my texts, sounds like you had a busy day" Sam said.
"You could say that. I learned a lot," Jason said careful not to be too specific in front of Danni.
"So Maxie and Spinelli are on their way?" Sam said questioningly.
"Daddy I think this is going to burn if we keep cooking it," Danni said interrupting their coded conversation.
"We can't have that. Mommy burns enough for all of us," Jason said.
"Oh stop," Sam said as she pulled away and playfully slapped his arm. She went to the cabinet to get a bowl.
"Mommy tries," Danni said taking up for Sam.
Jason took the wooden spoon from Danni and moved the saucepan to the cold burner. He lifted her down from the stool as he returned the stool and put the spoon in the sink. Sam put the mac and cheese into a bowl for Danni and poured her some juice.
"Here sweetie, why don't you go into the living room to eat that. If you're really careful, you can watch one of your DVDs," Sam said as she led her daughter out and set her food up on the coffee table.
"Thank you," Danni said as she sat down.
"You are quite welcome. Daddy and I need to have some grown up talk. Let us know if you need anything," Sam said.
"Ok,"
Sam walked back into the kitchen to find Jason had already cleaned up everything. He pulled out a chair and sat down as he held and arm out to Sam. He pulled her onto his lap.
"Are you really ok with Maxie and Spinelli taking Danni back to Port Charles?" she asked bluntly.
"What other choice do we have?" Jason asked.
"I don't know. My mom is trying to figure out where Kristina has run off to and she can't take care of Danni too. Nor do I want our daughter there while my mom needs to focus on finding her,"
"So according to Spinelli, Maxie saw Kristina with Ethan Lovett at Kelly's the night she disappeared. Kristina told Maxie that she was going away with a friend. Nobody's seen Ethan…"
"So Ethan is Kristina's friend. Everything that we've seen or found points to Kristina leaving on her own free will with Ethan, but why?" Sam wondered aloud.
"Well remember what Danni said?" Jason asked as he pushed the hair out of her face.
"She thought Krissy was having a baby, which why didn't my mom just admit?" Sam asked.
"Well, you know Alexis. In her eyes her children can do nothing wrong. She isn't going to admit there's a problem unless she absolutely has to,"
"Hello Jason, Kristina has run off somewhere, Houston I think we have a problem," Sam said as she waved her hands in the air in frustration. "I, I mean we, could have helped. Why didn't Alexis just tell us?"
"Sam, she's a lot like you. She doesn't want to admit she needs help unless it's the only option. I'm surprised she called Mac."
"Well I haven't called her back since she left the voice mail, but you talked to her?" Sam asked.
"I did. She told me Maxie offered to take Danni and stay at our house with her until we get there. Maxie and Spinelli can take her to school and get her ready for her graduation and Alexis and focus on Kristina."
Sam sat there for a minute unsure of what to say and trying to process that her little sister, even though she was a young adult had run away. After a few moments, she said, "Jason, do you think that's safe for Danni?"
"Sam there's something I need to tell you. I want you to understand that everything I have done has been for you and our girls." He paused for a moment thinking of how to tell Sam.
"Jason, you're scaring me. Just say what you have to say," she said.
"Right after Bree was born; I learned that there was a family with ties to Port Charles and possibly Baltimore. I knew they wanted revenge on Sonny, not me. I also knew Sonny was vulnerable and I wanted to protect my family. I've had extra guards on Danni and Alexis every time Alexis has had Danni in Port Charles. Sam, if I can't be there, I wanted to know that our daughter would be safe. I wasn't trying to hide it from you, you've just had so much on you with Bree and recovering from the c-section. I didn't want you to worry," Jason confessed.
"Jason I appreciate you not wanting me to worry, but if our daughter is in danger I want to know. "
"That's just it Sam, the guard didn't report anything suspicious to me, but if he had, I would have told you. I don't want there to be any secrets between us."
"I don't want to keep secrets from you either. No matter what, we have to be honest," Sam explained.
"I know, that's why I want to get this out in the open now," Jason said.
"So Mom and Mac are looking for Kristina?" Sam asked.
"According to Spinelli, Dante thinks he's found them. He has gone off and will hopefully bring her home."
"Did Spinelli say why he wasn't answering your calls?" Sam asked.
"Well apparently Sonny has had a serious set-back since Brenda left with Alec. He stopped taking his medication and ended up at Shadybrook."
"What's that have to do with Spinelli?"
"Apparently Michael took over the business in Sonny's absence. You know how he's always claiming to want to be a mobster. He threatened Spinelli not to say a word to me."
Sam chuckled as she pictured Michael threatening Spinelli. "Ok, so why didn't Carly call you. You know Carly always needs you?" she asked.
"Well Sam, that's where I failed. Carly called me the day after Bree was born to tell me about Michael and I told her I didn't have time for her plans, because I thought it was about Sonny and Brenda. I also told her that you and our girls were my family and that Bree was my priority. Sam, I just wanted to be with you and our girls. I didn't mean for all of this to happen. Now Michael's taken over the mob, we're probably on the verge of a mob war, and Carly thinks I've abandoned her," Jason explained.
Sam stood up and put her hands on Jason's broad shoulders. "Jason, don't you ever say that you've failed. Carly, Sonny, and Brenda are all adults. They make their own mistakes and they have to clean up their own messes. As for Carly, you cry wolf one too many times and this is what happens. Michael and Kristina are adults too. They may be young, but they're going to have to make mistakes. That's how you learn. Jason, our daughter was fighting for her life while I was recovering from surgery, and our other daughter was in shock with all the changes in her life. It was ok for you to say no to Carly. You are a good and honorable man. You do everything you can for those you love. And that's one of the things I happen to love the most about you." As she finished, she kissed him on the lips. The kiss was slow and sensual, but Jason pulled away, obviously still distracted.
"How can you say that Sam? The life I choose to live hurts everyone in it."
"Stop Jason," she said as she pulled his hand and led him to the doorway of the living room. She spoke very softly. "Look in there. She's safe, happy and loved. That's all that matters. You love with your whole heart and you'd do anything for your family."
Jason pulled her into a hug. As they stood sideways facing the living room, they watched Danni who had fallen asleep on the couch.
"You know Sam, when Michael was a baby, I swore to protect him and keep him safe. He ended up going to prison. I looked at Michael and the danger in his life and decided Jaske was better off with Lucky as his father. Danni was a surprising miracle, but I missed 3 years of her life. With Bree, I had the chance to start fresh, to be there for every single moment. I want that."
"Jason, I want that too. I don't regret one single moment in Danni's life or Bree's. We love each other and we're raising our girls the best that we can. We are going to make this work, together," she said. "And we may even find time to fix the world's problems too," she chuckled at the last one.
Jason grinned before turning to look into Sam's chocolate eyes. "I mean, do I try and stop Michael? Should I stay away from the business? How do I fix things with Carly?"
"I think that you are going to have to think carefully about what you want. Follow your heart. No matter what you choose, I'll support you Jason. I know that you love me and I know that you love our girls. Besides you married me, so you're stuck with me," Sam smirked. "I need to get Danni's things ready," she said as she walked down the hall toward the bedroom. Jason stood there staring at her. He knew that he had made mistakes, but one thing he was sure of was that he had Sam's love and support. He never wanted to take that or his two little girls for granted.
Alexis stood by the door to the lake house with her cell phone in her hand. Dante had a lead on where Kristina could be, she just prayed that he could convince her to come back to Port Charles. Ethan Lovett had been kind to Kristina, but Alexis never imagined they would be sleeping together much less run off Kristina. Her daughter had just finished her second year at PCU. For a teen who was such a model student in high school, college sure had been a bumpy ride. Alexis thought that she should have been more understanding when Kristina told her she didn't want to return to school and work at Crimson. Ethan understood Kristina and gave her the attention she was seeking. "Ugh!" she said to herself frustrated.
"So Mom, do you think Dante can convince Kristina and Ethan to come back?" Molly asked as she came out of the kitchen.
"I hope so," Alexis said simply knowing that her daughter was an adult and she could leave if she wanted to. Mac explained that if Kristina had left on her own free will, there was nothing the police could do. Dante was going as her brother to try and bring her back. He was hoping that by taking Lulu along, they could convince Ethan to come back.
"Mom, is what people are saying true, is Kristina having a baby?"
"Molly I don't know, but you need to understand that Kristina's choices are not acceptable."
"But Mom, Kristina and Ethan are in love, and I think that is beautiful," Molly started to go on and on about love and romance.
"Just promise me that you will always stay my sweet girl. No boys."
Molly laughed. "Ok Mom. Mom it's Monday, don't you have to go get Danni?"
"I talked to Jason today and Maxie is going to get Danni this week. Jason and Sam will be here this weekend."
"I can't wait until Jason and Sam and the girls can come home for good."
"I know Molly, me neither. Jason and Sam need a sense of normalcy in their lives."
"I think it's amazing how Jason and Sam always come out together no matter what," Molly said with her eyes gushing.
"Let's focus on getting both of your sisters home."
Sam was in the bedroom packing some of Danni's usual things when she heard the doorbell ring. "It's time," she said to herself as she walked out to find Maxie and Spinelli in the living room with Jason and Danni.
"Hey you two, are you ready for this?" Sam asked.
"Absolutely Fair Samantha. Maximista and I will take the utmost care of Stonecold and Fair Samantha's little one.
"Spinelli and I are so excited. Someone told me that Danni needs a dress for her graduation,"
"I do," Danni said.
"Well Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday you have school, but on Friday we are going to find a dress and get our nails done."
"Wow, baby girl, sounds like Maxie has some fun planned for you. You are going to have so much fun," Sam said as she walked over and knelt down to her daughter's level. She pointed to her when she said you.
Jason gestured Spinelli into the kitchen to talk. Maxie, Sam, and Danni sat down on the couch. Danni crawled on her mother's lap. Danni was starting to get very clingy because she knew it was almost time to leave.
"Maxie and Spinelli are taking you to our house, so you get to sleep in your own bed and then Daddy and I are going to be there before you know it," Sam said as she tried to reassure her daughter.
"Danni, we are going to be so busy. We may even get to have a play date with my niece Emma so you can tell her all about your little sister," Maxie said.
"Mommy, how many darks until you and Daddy come?" Danni asked.
"Well let's see," Sam said as she started to count on her fingers, "Tonight's dark is 1, tomorrow's dark is 2, Wednesday's dark is 3, Thursday's dark is 4, and then on Friday when it's dark, your Daddy and I will be there."
"4 darks, not a big deal," Danni said.
Sam and Maxie both laughed as Sam explained some of Danni's routines to Maxie. Sam was proud of Danni for being so easygoing.
In the kitchen Spinelli informed Jason of some of Michael's business decisions. Jason also asked for an update on Carly and Sonny. Jason kindly reminded Spinelli that as long as he had Danni with him, he was not to contact Michael. Jason threatened Spinelli that if a mob war erupted like he anticipated it would, Spinelli was to inform him immediately. Spinelli also needed to be available for Jason to call him. After the terms of Spinelli and Maxie caring for Danni were established, Sam and Jason said goodbye and Maxie and Spinelli left with Danni.
"Jason, what did you say to Spinelli in the kitchen," Sam asked after they had left.
"I just asked him a little bit about business in Port Charles. Then I explained the terms of him caring for Danni," Jason said with a smirk.
"Terms, huh? He looked terrified." Sam said.
"Yeah he did," Jason chuckled. "Danni is so important to us. I just don't want anything to happen to her, because Spinelli had some crazy plan."
"I love you," Sam said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Now, what do you say we go check in on our other daughter?" Sam asked.
"I'd say that sounds like a plan and afterwards maybe we can grab a late dinner," Jason said.
"Sounds great," Sam said.
As they were walking out of the condo, Sam's cell phone rang and they looked at one another. Sam pulled her phone out of her pocket. "Jason, it's the hospital," she said.
Next chapter: Why is the hospital contacting Sam? Jason and Sam enjoy some time alone before heading to Danni's graduation. What happens while Jason and Sam are in Port Charles?